Fall Muskie Discussion

Post by **JRSuprstar** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 2:01 pm

There are some great tips and links in this thread...I know I'll boat one soon, thanks

JR

Post by **Relic** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 2:20 pm

silverthorn wrote:Naw!!!!

When my buddy was removing the " swamp Donkey" the damn fish did a back flip in the boat, lodging one of the treble hooks in my leg...beside my knee actually, so needless to say, from grabbing a hold of the fish by the head and gills trying to hold it still while attached to my leg the fish died. It took about 20 minutes to get the right bolt cutters and cut the hooks from the bait and then remove it from my leg...not a pleasurable experience let me assure you. So seeing as the fish was already dead, I decided to take it home and show my kids.

And that right there is the reason you have bolt cutters IN THE BOAT, so a fish does not have to die, because you were not prepared.

Say what's the legal limit on St. Clair???

Post by RJ » Fri Oct 10, 2008 2:27 pm

Some great advice in this thread.....nice to see.....

Though I haven't done much muskie fishing in the past 2 years I used to pound the Ottawa like everyone else...

My past logs show that the best period for me was the last 2 weeks of Sept and the 1st 2 weeks of Oct....and by the fish we've seen reported on FH lately it would appear that things have remained that way....

I primarily favour casting jerkbaits during this period....ReefHawgs being my go-to in Perch Pattern....or the 8 inch Beleiver as well...makes a wicked jerkbait......drill a hole in the top of it....drop in a ball bearing....wicked rattle...

When I have guests aboard I do troll.....and contrary to popular consensus I'm not a fast troller by any means....3mph on the GPS....after seeing Bill Craig land dozens fish trolling slower than that I figure going slower cant hurt...when trolling I stick to Fudally's and larger straight inline bucktails.....colours?....anything as long as it's black....

....though white/red did put the last two fish in the boat for me...well...for Bunk and Birdee...

Locations.....hmmm....I tend to work edges....weed edges or depth edges....zig-zagging up and onto the shallow flat often....at this time of year I find fish tend to stay near sand for warmth likely as the bait does the same thing....rocky points...humps...saddles....all the stuff you read about.....it works...

With 2 fishin days already planned this weekend....maybe I'll try to slide out Sunday morning with my step-daughter Ariel to get her first...

Good Luck out there boys.....

RJ

Post by RJ » Fri Oct 10, 2008 2:28 pm

Relic wrote:
silverthorn wrote:Naw!!!!

When my buddy was removing the " swamp Donkey" the damn fish did a back flip in the boat, lodging one of the treble hooks in my leg...beside my knee actually, so needless to say, from grabbing a hold of the fish by the head and gills trying to hold it still while attached to my leg the fish died. It took about 20 minutes to get the right bolt cutters and cut the hooks from the bait and then remove it from my leg...not a pleasurable experience let me assure you. So seeing as the fish was already dead, I decided to take it home and show my kids.
And that right there is the reason you have bolt cutters IN THE BOAT, so a fish does not have to die, because you were not prepared.

Say what's the legal limit on St. Clair???

44 inches....

Post by **Musky51** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 6:24 pm

good to keep the proper release tools nearby. I got hooked up to a 40" ski this summer and it really sucked. Thank god I have my knipex and was able to cut the hook and pull it through- thank god the whole experience was caught on video as well

Post by **Bass Addict** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 6:59 pm

Picked up one of those Musky nets that barely fits in my boat

Pliers , side cutters ,and a book ...now i'm all set

Post by **troutnmuskiehunter** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:38 pm

Musky51 wrote:good to keep the proper release tools nearby. I got hooked up to a 40" ski this summer and it really sucked. Thank god I have my knipex and was able to cut the hook and pull it through- thank god the whole experience was caught on video as well

Hey Jamie...when you're fishin' in a yak that's almost at water level, and targeting bigger beasts, you're askin' for a bit of excitement as far as where the fish is going to flop as well as where the hooks that are in her are going to go!!

....thank God you had cutters as opposed to silverthorn who had to look around for the right CUTTERS FOR 20 MINUTES

......

Post by **Musky51** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:48 pm

TroutnMuskieHunter wrote:
Musky51 wrote:good to keep the proper release tools nearby. I got hooked up to a 40" ski this summer and it really sucked. Thank god I have my knipex and was able to cut the hook and pull it through- thank god the whole experience was caught on video as well
Hey Jamie...when you're fishin' in a yak that's almost at water level, and targeting bigger beasts, you're askin' for a bit of excitement as far as where the fish is going to flop as well as where the hooks that are in her are going to go!! ....thank God you had cutters as opposed to silverthorn who had to look around for the right CUTTERS FOR 20 MINUTES ......

normally I keep them with me in my kayak but the fishing had been slow and I threw them in my bag behind me. When I got hooked I yelled to my partner for them, he took them out and with a shaky hand cut the hook. I pulled the rest of the hook through and then worked on the fish.

All in all it is just a fish and safety comes first. That being said having the right tools with you will make for a better release of both you and the fish

Post by **silverthorn** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:51 pm

maybe I worded my response incorrectly...we had a 44" net and the right bolt cutters, but when the hook was embeded an inch and a half into my leg with the mouth of the fish right near my crotch...sorry, but i really want to win that fight...!!! Holding on to a twenty pound pee pee off Muskie while attached to me isn't fun. What took so long cutting the hook was the fact that there was nothing to cut...the hook was sunk so deep into my leg that the circle clasp was barely showing.

I never go out unprepared....but sometimes things happen that are out of your control.
It sucks that the fish had to die, but it was either squeeze it's neck and head hard enough so it doesn't move or risk it thrashing around and really doing some damage to my leg. Sorry....but the fish had to stay still.
Not to mention the multiple gashes that were on my hand from trying to keep it's mouth away from my "goodies".

Post by **Trophymuskie** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 5:57 am

A good pair of bolt cutters like Knipex will cut through the shank of the hook.

No one wants to be attached to a muskie.

As well if you have a net the fish should not be lifted out of it untill hooks are removed. They are to be used as holding pens where fish can stay in the water at all times except for a few seconds for a quick picture.

Post by **Bucktail** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 6:17 am

My Fall tips:
-slow down (3mph or so)
-drop the baits down a bit. We use bulkier tails in the fall and switch to smaller colorado blades to get down a bit.
-if you see a fish or get a hit go over the same water several times. For whatever reason they congregate in the same areas in the fall. Just this passed week on the Ottawa had a double header with a 3rd muskie swimming under the net.
-fish sunniest part of the day. Warm surface water brings the bait fish off the bottom.
Good Luck all!

Post by **Mick** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 7:15 am

[quote="TroutnMuskieHunter"][quote="Musky51"]good thank God you had cutters as opposed to silverthorn who had to look around for the right CUTTERS FOR 20 MINUTES

......[/quote]

that comment right there is part of the reason there are not as many reports on FH as there used to be

Post by **troutnmuskiehunter** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 7:38 am

Thought you were coming out here for some SKI fishing Mick??...Hope to see you soon bud!!!

Post by **Grinder** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 2:16 pm

Well, this is my first post since joining and I'd like to say that I've had a good year so far. It's my first year as a musky hunter and I've landed 10 since mid-July. Here's my track record:

#1 50" trolling with an 3/4 oz orange and black spinnerbait in about 4'.
Not bad for my first one!!! Ottawa river.
#2 37" casting with the same spinner right along the bullrushes. Ottawa
river.
#3 39 1/2" casting Maas Marauder. Caught on my 8th cast with new
lure. Rideau river.
#4 34" casting with 3/4oz orange and black spinnerbait. Rideau river.
#5 36" speed trolling with big assed white spinner along weed edge.
Rideau river.
#6 35" speed trolling with the same lure at night. Rideau river.
#7 30" speed trolling with a big brown and orange spinnerbait. Rideau
river.
#8 42" speed trolling with a huge home-made spinnerbait. Rideau river.
#9 36" speed trolling with the same spinnerbait (nightime). Rideau river.
#10 36" trolling deep (about 12') with a Believer.

ALL fish caught trolling except for the last one (which was yesterday) were hooked in less than 4' of water. #9 was landed last wednesday night in about 2' of water. During the day I think they are deep but at night anything goes!!
One thing I've learned is that you have to be persistent and be willing to catch dozens and dozens of pike. There are worse things.....
All Rideau river muskies were caught in the Long Reach. Good luck fellas!

Post by **scuro** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 6:53 am

I am one of those once a weekend in the entire year muskie fishermen. I'm hoping that I get a little morsel about weather. We are thinking of heading up this weekend. The weather is supposed to turn with clear blue mile high skies coming by Friday. Egadds!! Is this a poor time to fish muskie? There might be flexibility in the choice of weekends.

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Fall Muskie Discussion

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