Beginners

[wa11eyeguy]

My 13 year old son and I are just getting into musky fishing. He's doing pretty well with handling a bait caster without getting too many backlashes. We live in Lindstrom, and have been to Forest Lake a couple of times. Mostly we catch small northerns, but have had a few follows by 32-36" muskies. We've been using bucktails (Mepps Musky Killers) in various colors exclusively. My question is does anyone want to divulge any spots and/or baits that may produce for us? We fish mainly 3rd lake near Tims Marina and around willow point. Thanks in advance for any advice.

On another note...we are going to Vermilion for 4 days in mid-October for a fall fishing trip. We are staying on the west side in Wakemup. Any tips for that trip would be appreciated as well.

[Guest]

I don't know the lake you fish, but muskies do go for certain presentations. In addition to the bucktails (which take more muskies than anything else), add some "wood." An old reliable I like is the Cisco Kid (black/silver finish). Also, the magnum Shadraps will score, and so will the magnum Rat-L-traps. The easiest surface plugs to use are those with rotating tail sections that permit a straight, steady retrieve.

For throwing into the slop, try a big Johnson spoon (silver or gold) with an Uncle Josh pork strip attached. White is good, but red/white is even better (altho not so well stocked in many bait shops).

Once you gain some confidence, you'll want to go to jerk baits and top water walkers.

Good luck.

[Steve Foss]

Clayton mentions jerkbaits, and it's worth picking up a couple right away. Like Bobbie Baits and Suicks. They float when at rest and dive when you jerk them. All sorts of variations on the way you can work that, of course. Lots of short fast jerks, slow jerks, long pauses. They imitate wounded or distressed fish. While cranks and spinners are well fished with softer rods, it's best to use a fairly stiff rod to get the best action from jerkbaits, and without making your arms/shoulders so sore they feel like they'll fall off.

Enjoy.

I'd rather be fishing (than working, which is what I'm doing now).

Steve

[This message has been edited by stfcatfish (edited 08-24-2002).]

[Steve Foss]

Also, I'd post an inquiry on the BWCA/Duluth area post about Vermilion in October. Lots of folks on that post know their onions about Vermilion (I'm not one of them.)