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Muskie
fishing Throughout the seasons! - by Justin Hoffman
Cory M. with a nice one -
caught and released!
Spring (Start of Season)
Musky are a fierce and cunning predator, yet are not as hard to
catch as most people think. The start of June signals the beginning of
'ski season in most parts of Ontario, and offers a tremendous shot at
connecting with numbers of fish and quality fish too. Weedy bays and
shorelines are attractive to post-spawn muskies and will find most fish in
relatively shallow water. The key concept to remember is the presence of
healthy green weeds in the areas you are targeting. These weed beds and
clumps hold numerous varieties of panfish and offer cover to conceal the
ambushing musky. Start the season off by throwing "bass size" baits in the
form of spinnerbaits, bucktails and crankbaits. Baitfish at this time of
year will be quite small, and using baits in the three to five-inch range
will mimic this preferred quarry best. Work your baits fast in the spring
and remember to perform a "figure-eight" with your lure at the end of
every cast.
Summer
The summer months will find the majestic musky away from the
shallows and in much deeper water. Many of the larger fish will suspend
over very deep water at this time of year, and the approach that will help
cover water and find these fish quicker is trolling. Trolling may not be
for everyone, but it will provide results for those anglers willing to
stick with it and pay attention to detail. Summer musky trolling involves
running baits through productive structure areas - namely off rocky
points, over submerged humps and along sharp breaklines. Varying the depth
you run your lures and experimenting with colours are a few of the
variables that will increase your chances. Stick with baits in the six to
ten-inch size and troll at increased speeds to trigger these fish. Running
your lures on short lines directly in the prop wash of the motor can bring
astonishing results, and works wonders on shallow fertile lakes that have
an abundance of weed growth.
Fall
Fall time is the one season that musky addicts dream of. Big fish
gorge on baitfish to put on extra weight for the winter months, and are
relatively easy to catch at this point in the year. Big sturdy jerkbaits
are the number one choice for fall musky as they offer a large profile in
the water at a slower speed that excels in the cold water. Use jerkbaits
that are at least eight-inches-long for these monster fish, and do not be
afraid to upgrade that bait to one in the 12-inch range. Healthy green
weedlines in water from six to 12-feet will hold the majority of fish that
a caster can reach, as deeper water will call for large trolling baits to
be dragged through the area. Stick with natural coloured baits at this
time of the year, and keep those hooks needle sharp to ensure their
effectiveness. Stout tackle is necessary at this time of the year, and the
use of wire leaders will be paramount to your success on landing these top
predators.
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