Fishing livebait in shallow weeds has proven extremely effective for the author.
Using livebait to catch Muskies is about as old as the sport itself. A lot of lures have come and gone, some have left a lasting mark on the sport, and some seem to lose their luster after a while. In my mind, one thing will always remain constant — as long as there are Muskies swimming around, they will eat big, juicy suckers in the fall of the year.
Although my preferred method of catching Muskies is to cast artificial lures, there is something about hearing the line out clicker on your reel sound off when a sucker is grabbed by a musky. You pull the boat back around to the fish and hope to see which way the fish is clenching the sucker, which way she’s heading, which way you should set the hook. You can feel your pulse in your neck and suddenly all the clothes that have kept you warm all day seem too big and bulky as you begin to sweat a little.
You’ve been bitten by a musky, but there is plenty that can go wrong before the fish makes it to the net. You feel the clock ticking in the back of your mind as you decide whether the time is right to set the hook. the wind blows the boat a little closer to the fish and you grimace. You back it off a little with the trolling motor but now wonder if it screwed up your angle on the fish. Wait! She’s moving away from you.
Hit ’er!
You slam the rod to the side and your footing on the boat deck becomes questionable. You catch your balance and realize you are dealing with a lot weight. She turns toward you, pulls hard and then gives it back to you. Your heart skips a beat with each headshake as the weight temporarily goes away. She’s close now. She sees the boat and runs. You gain some line and get her close to the net. She rolls and the shredded sucker is flung free. She pauses to collect herself and you slide a net underneath her ... and then you can breathe again.
This story is from the October/November 2016 edition of Musky Hunter.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October/November 2016 edition of Musky Hunter.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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.