Musky Opener

[The Outlaw TJ]

Hey Herbie:

Given the recent warm days and the stable dose of low 80 degree temps next week (at least that's the forecast now), what are the ideal locations that will hold the mighty musky this time of year? Is weed growth still behind? Is it better to use smaller lures? Will topwater be a good option (I hope the answer is yes considering my tackle box is stuffed to the gills with top raiders and docs). My cohorts and I are arriving this weekend and if it's still ok, we'd like to stop by next week sometime to introduce ourselves and check out your camp.

Hope the season is treating you well so far,

TJ

[Steve Herbeck]

WEED GROWTH IS BEHIND BUT COMING WITH THE SUN AND HEAT WE'VE HAD,SOME AREAS BETTER THAN OTHERS. THE MORE PROTECTED AREAS FROM THE N AND EAST WINDS THAT WE HAD MOST OF THE SPRING HAVE THE BEST WEED GROWTH.SOME AREAS IN THE EASTERN AND SOUTHERN SECTION HAVE THICK GROWTH ALREADY.
FISH FLATS ,ISLAND CLUSTERS,AND SLOTS. COULD BE SOME BIG FISH SUSPENDED ALSO IN THE BASIN POST SPAWN.
WE HAVEN'T BEEN THROWING ANY BIG BAITS BECAUSE IT'S ILLEGAL TO DO SO TILL SAT.
THERES BEEN SOMEWHERE AROUND 16-18 MUSKIES 42" TO 51"CAUGHT, AND ANOTHER HALF DOZ LOST BY PIKE AND BASS FISHERMEN SEVEARAL BIGGER OBVIOUSLY THROWINg LESS THAN MUSKY SIZED MINNOWBAITS AND SPINNERBAITS. SEVERAL REPORTS OF BIG MUSKIES FOLLOWING AND OR BITING OFF SPOOKS FOR BASS.
AS I'VE POSTED BEFORE IF ONE DOES GRAB A BAIT INCIDENTLY FISHING OTHER SPECIES DO NOT BRING IT INTO THE BOAT,WATER RLEASE IT AS MANY OF THE BIGGEST FISH MAY NOT HAVE COMPLETLY SPAWNED AS OUR SPECIES SPAWNS TWICE WITH 7-12 DAY INTERVALS IN BETWEEN,I WOULD AS FAR AS TO SAY EVEN NEXT WEEK AFTER OPENER THOUGH LEGAL TO DO IT WOULD BE A CONSERVATIVE IDEA.YU CAN STILL GET A NEAT PIC WITH THE FISHES MASS SUPPORTED BY WATER.
IF I WAS TO START I'D SAY SMALLER PARTICLARLY SIDE TO SIDE STUFF , TWITCHED MINNOW BAITS,AND #5-8 BLADES. BUT WE'VE SEEN SOME BIG MUSKIES AFTER WALLEYES AND HAVE CAUGHT SEVERAL WALLEYES UP TO 23" WITH BIG JAW SPREAD TEETH MARKS SO.....??
MOST ACTIVITY HAS COME FROM VERY SHALLOW WATER.
STOP IN ANYTIME!!!

[gthorne]

Outlaw TJ. don't do it. don't go visit. LOL

They will spoil you to death and you will be stuck like me going there every year. :)

Sorry Herbie trying to protect someone from becoming addicted to AML.

Gary