porpoising muskies

[fishbreath]

Maybe you experts can help. I'm from eastern PA. A small lake I used to fish had a good # of muskie. My question is why do muskie porpoise? I've seen them swim quiet a distance with thier head out of the water. Do they go on the feed before or after they porpus?

[Guest]

From what I understand from my own questions that I've asked the "experts", is that there is no known reason that they do this. One person figured it was out of pure enjoyment.

I hear what your saying, it is weird as weird can get..........But, anyone who says these fish are normal, has some issues.........

Don't give up the chase and don't let them get to ya!!!

Gary

[Tonka Boy]

I know this topic has come up in the past. I'll try to find it and get you the link.

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Tonka Boy

[muskieboy46]

here is the link to when this has been asked before.

http://fishingminnesota.com/ubb/Forum51/HTML/000257.html

hopefully it works

Muskieboy46

[RK]

Hiya,
God only knows why the do it... I know in a couple cases I've seen them on the surface swallowing something - using gravity to choke it down I guess. In both cases it was a great big sucker. It also seems as though they do it more on some lakes than others. On one lake I've fished for years, I'm amazed when I DON'T see at least one fish porpoise. One night there, there were fish breaking the surface every 30 yards down an entire shorline - about 400 yards. Leech seems to have a lot of fish that like to come up for a look around too. Wierd thing is, fish that porpoise almost never bite when you cast to them. I can only think one one fish I've caught casting like that. When it hit I was so flabbergasted I almost didn't set the hook. Still cast to every one though - you never know

As to why they do it, the best explanation I've ever heard comes from the great Doug Johnson. I asked him once, and expected to get some sage and in-depth answer. Doug shrugged and said "Probably because it feels good, and it makes them happy..."

Probably true, too. Goofy fish...

Cheers!
RK