How was your musky fishing in 2019? Some of you caught your personal best musky, many caught lots of fish, and some of you struggled — especially early in the season when unstable weather and cooler-than-normal air and water temperatures seemed to be the rule.
To help you prepare for 2020, Musky Hunter asked four top guides from popular musky areas to discuss what they experienced in 2019 and the techniques they used to make their season successful. Learn from their experiences and use their techniques if you face similar conditions in the coming season.
Northern Wisconsin Roller Coaster
By Matt Raley
A late ice-out coupled with cold spring temperatures kept water temperatures down and weed growth minimal on many lakes to start the 2019 season in the Vilas and Oneida county region of Wisconsin where I fish. It could best be described as a roller coaster of a year.
Small baits worked over newly-forming weeds and wood was a key to getting musky action when the season opened. Windows of opportunity were short, but afternoon periods when the water temperature was the warmest seemed to produce a few more bites. Success was seen with small twitchbaits, gliders and bucktails.
When trolling before the water stratifies in the early season, muskies can be anywhere and everywhere. I had some success with net-worthy muskies trolling smaller four- to six-inch baits high in the water column. Such early season patterns persisted well into the middle of June.
Our summer patterns started to show up around the third week of June, but it took some lakes well into July to fire up to their full potential. The summer “bite” is my favorite time of year in this area because of its consistency. No matter the day, the water is warm and muskies have to eat due to their metabolism cranking full speed. During this time, I like to fish large baits quickly and erratically.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 2019/January 2020-Ausgabe von Musky Hunter.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 2019/January 2020-Ausgabe von Musky Hunter.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
What can Current Do For You?
WATER FLOW IN LAKES IS SUBTLE AND OFTEN OVERLOOKED. BUT MUSKIES USE IT, SO WHY SHOULDN’T YOU?
Mountain State Muskies In Spring
CATCH MUSKIES DURING TIMES WHEN NOTHING IS PREDICTABLE
Winter Presentations For Southern Rivers
Winter has arrived, yet in the South it’s still mild enough to keep fishing with the exception of maybe a week or two of an Arctic front.
Tune Up For The Season Ahead
Have you started making your plans for the upcoming fishing year?
Rob Manthei
Guide Rob Manthei’s love for the Vilas/Oneida County region of northern Wisconsin is deeply rooted. His father and grandfather started taking him there on fishing trips when he was just two years old, and he began guiding full-time at the age of 25.
Find The Right Structure In Deep, Clear Water
With breathtaking scenery, vast amounts of water, and complex and diverse structure, clear water Canadian Shield lakes offer some of the most sought-after musky fishing in the world. A bucket-list destination for the passionate and determined angler, there’s something truly special about being in the sanctuary of the great Canadian Shield lakes.
Multi-Species Or Bay Boat ... You Make The Choice
Is there really such a thing as a perfect musky boat? There are so many variables to choose from in the market today. Do I want a casting or trolling boat? Aluminum or fiberglass? Welded or riveted? Do I want a tiller, side console, dual console, or full windshield?
Region To Region
Region To Region
Genetic Study Yields Answers
STUDY SUGGESTS LEECH STRAIN IS NOT THE ‘SILVER BULLET’ FOR WISCONSIN MUSKY WATERS
Crawling Crankbaits To Catch Cold Water Muskies
Crankbaits catch plenty of muskies during spring, summer and fall, but the key to catching ’skies in the very early cold water season on these lures involves some special tricks.
