Minnetonka Musky

[mknolls]

As this is my third year that I have tried to target muskies and yet to put one on my line. I still have not landed my first one yet. On the lake at 6 am this morning hit North Arm, Maxwell, Crystal, West Arm. Tried trolling 12 to 15 feet weed lines. Tried top water prop orange and chartreuse, double cowgirl black and orange. Northern looking shallow diver. No such luck. Heading out at 5am tomorrow lunching Wayzata yacht club, I will fish the Bay and a few of the points around the area. Need to still put in more experience yet and more reading and understanding the big fish. Got hooked several years back when I had close to a 50 incher on 8lbs, mister twister on lake Rebecca. Never had it in the boat but had it right next to it. At the time I had a 14 foot boat. The seats were about 45 inches apart. When my wife stood up to try land it in a bass net, she said no way not going to fit. As she was standing and could see how big it was, she said its bigger then from seat to seat. Been hooked ever sense. Finally bought my first rod and baits and am doing my best to put a fish under my belt. That is as long as time will allow. Wish me luck.

[BuckKiller]

Good Luck! Muskies can be very tough, I'm usually good for 1-3 a year. Do you always fish tonka? I have never caught one in that lake. IMO waconia is much easier.

Happy Fishing :-)

[Esox_Magnum]

Keep in mind I have never been on Tonka but thats alot of water to cover in a day to me, I mean cover effectivly. Theres most days here at home I'll pick one spot and never leave it. I may not see anything for 3 passes but the 4th pass may yeild 2-3 follows or better yet 1 or 2 in the net. Pick spots and fish them over and over watching your electronics, trying different baits and depths till you see fish or decide there nothing there. By repededly working an area you'll learn how to better fish the spot and learn when to hit that spot.

I'm a patience fisherman if I know or feel theres fish on a spot I wont waste time running all over looking for other fish, I'll keep on them till they bite or I'm forced to go home. FYI a spot to us may be a weed edge or breakline over a mile long and takes 2-3 drifts sometimes just to cover it effectivly.

[mknolls]

Thanks for the advice. Sounds like we think I need to stay on one spot more then not. Not that I don't have patience. The firs hump I worked for two hours. This hump is about 100 by 100 feet long. I tried three different kinds of bait.. Then felt like I should move on. Not sure if that spot or for that fact any spot I go to is good. I'm using Sportsman's Connection Magazine, Minnesota Muskie Fishing Map Guide. As I'm using this plus what ever I can read on line. And I have all of my HMO family. Is there any thing more or less I should be using as the surface water temp was 57? Wondering if I should spend more time deep meaning 12 15 feet then top water or shallow divers? Wondering what may be best with a high sun like its going to be? Morning I going to hit SW sides first as I think they will warm up faster with the sun. Just a thought. I should say I'm still learning how to read and understand my Hummingbird 997 si as well as I don't get out as much as I should.

Thanks again for all your advice all.

[setterguy]

With the strong south wind today, I would look at south facing points. Don't be afraid to cast over the milfoil, look for pockets and pause it.

[50inchpig]

i'm no tonka master but in general with milfoil lakes think shallower right now, over clumps of milfoil and the inside edge/shallow sand is usually the first place i start. lots of cabbage up inside the foil this year and that can be good. easy to find spots like this around points especially. good luck

[10,000 Casts]

I think either really shallow or really deep. This weekend is the PMTT out there, it might be fun to head over there and check it out.

[Gekhang]

you should try calhoun or cedar(hennipen). i accidentally caught a nice 40 while fishing for bass on cedar and was hooked ever since beg of sept and have caught 4(ranging from 30-38inches) other ones just shore fishing.

[Grunt L]

Tonka has some real nice mid water humps to ojust off of islands on the windy side for you. Try working those. If you don't have one, get a good lake map for Tonka and that will help a lot. Fun lake to fish and right now it is really ince without the major mid summer traffic. Good luck.

[Baitchaser]

Grunt, I agree the last couple weeks has been nice out on tonka with most of the pleasure boaters staying in.. Now today is a different story! it looked like a weekend in July out there today with all the traffic. I hope this didn't effect the PMTT guys and gals out there. I will be very curious to hear how they do.

[mknolls]

Also out Saturday morning. Was wondering why all the boats were putting in at six am like me. Had no idea there was a tournament. If I had know that I might have stay around longer or try to hit some professional up for advice. Had no luck worked weed line edges eight to fifteen feet. Switched over to top water plugs tossed up to shore just off east side of big island. Only got to fish tell ten am. Hoping for some overcast days with a little rain. Hope to be able to go out then. Sure like the week days out there better then the week end. Hope to get out later in the week provided work will allow. New Job. And glad to get it. Good luck to all and thanks for the advice. Mike

[Kodiak]

essox magnum-

i see your in the muskie 29 chapter, what is your email address, or your initials so i can find your address on the muskie chapter 29...i see skip frakes is a board member also, that is far out he was my art teacher!

i am going to be down home fishing this weekend and am bringing my tuffy, going to hit the perch bite and walleye fish, but i have some time on friday to go muskie fishing and i am going to give it a try..would not mind learning some from the master! you going to be out?

[Esox_Magnum]

Working friday, taking my daughter out this weekend to try and get her on one. Skips a great guy been the chapter secratary for years now. My e mails [email protected] I'll be on West all weekend, grey 17' Skeeter, only one around.

[Kodiak]

alright i will look for you, i will be in a maroon and black tuffy, only one around lol

[MinnesnowtaWild]

I was thinking about hitting Tonka this weekend for a shot at some Musky but I will be fishing Long Lake instead (NOO!!!).

[rymcneil]

Was out today, no follow or hits. Did see 5 in the shallow laying out in the sun. One of them had to be 50+. That was cool watching them. I bet they had fun watching everything I had pass them!!