Surfacing Muskies

[Whopper Stopper]

We have spent the last few weeks pounding a few different lakes in search of Muskies. While we have never spent a lot of time actively fishing for them, I have on a couple of occasions caught some smaller ones. This year we started getting into it a little more seriously and to some extent have had some pretty good luck. My wife caught a beautiful 41.5 inch Musky a few weeks ago and eight days later my Sister-In-Law caught a 44-incher. For my efforts I have had one blow up and one very exciting follow. What seems to be on everyone's mind is and what has been plaguing me is: when I am going to get mine? That being said, I must admit I have never been more proud than watching the girls land their fish. Even though I have been hurling some of the biggest Musky baits legal in the State of Minnesota it was exciting to watch my wife get hers on a Mepps Syclops and My Sister-In-Law hooked hers on a Gapen Flub Dub. Seems at night they are ready to go out on the town and I am more inclined to hit the bed along with an ice pack or two. One thing that has come to my attention on a couple of outings is that while we are casting there are from time to time some big splashes in a fairly close proximity to where we are fishing. Do Muskies jump out of the water like say carp do? As hard as we may it seems when this happens we always miss seeing the fish. I have cast to the different locations of the jump but so far nothing has hit my baits. Any of you Musky people have any suggestions as to what is jumping or surfacing ? Also as the season progresses, is there a better time for say surface bait as compared to for instance bucktails, or jerk baits? One thing I will say here and now is for any of you guys that have a hard time justifying to your wives the price of Musky baits, all you have to do is get them to catch one. Since they caught their fish I have been down to Cabela's 4 times and Gander three times buying baits. My wife now has 8 Syclops of different sizes and colors, and my Sister-In-Law has 7 of the prettiest Flub Dubs you have ever seen. As for me I am starting to check out bigger boxes. Anyway thanks a lot for any help or advice.

WS

[Dynasty]

As far as fish jumping. Ive noticed that if its a carp it will usually jump several times in succession. So if you here lots of splashes I would guess carp. I usually watch an area for several seconds after a big splash to see if its a carp. Also if you were in deeper water I would guess that it would be a gamefish and not a carp.

[half2fish]

The Meeps syclops. That is all my dad me bro-in-law and brother uses for northerns. out of all of us i am the only one that accually fishes muskies and the only one that hasnt cought one. In the two months that my bro-in-law was here he caught 2 muskies on the metallic green syclops and lost about a 40-42 incher on the same color. My dad this summer on the same green has cought a 41" ski and a 24" ski on a black and white. Plus a 38" northern 35" 33" and 34" all on syclops. I use them but only when i fish muskies. I say that meeps needs to make them about twice the size of the #3 syclops and then us muskie fisherman could have some deadly spoons to try.Tell your wife and sister-in-law congrats on their fish. Good luck on yours. I need one too so i know how you feel.

[Cooter]

Whopper - Is your sister-in-law available? If she likes to muskie fish and then hit the town, sounds like a keeper to me!

[Whopper Stopper]

About two weeks ago My Brother-in-Law caught a 15 pound Northern on the Mepps Syclops.Before that he had never caught a thing on the Syclops and just moaned when I was nailing Northerns one after noon with it. Now he, as does his Sister, ownes about 10 of the things.

Thanks for the tip on using smaller baits, do the Muskies like the bigger ones better as late season comes around?

And yes...........She is taken! Sorry!!

[Mat O]

Yes, muskies do jump out of the water. More often than you might think.

[MuskyBrian]

I noticed you made a comment about throwing the biggest baits available...I don't think it is a coincidence your wife/sister caught fish using smaller baits. Maybe put some of those bigger baits on reserve until we get later into the season. Some guys swear to big baits ALL the time, but I can't even tell you how many Muskies I have caught on a #5 Mepps. Just keep it in mind...

[Trailblazin]

Try adding a Power Bait/Strike King 6" worm trailer to a Mepps #5 or any bucktail/spinnerbait.

The results for me have been outstanding!