polarized glasses and figure 8's

[muskylunkin]

I have a pair of Oakley polarized glasses. The way they are shaped it completely blocks out the "outside light" (if that makes sense) with a very "mirrored" finish on the lenses. I had a monster fish get the f out of dodge the second I started my 8. This has happened quite a few times recently as soon as they get close the get out of there quick. Rod tip in the water as soon as I see the fish, perfect figure 8 (I think). Do you think the mirror finish on my glasses is shining or something? Or am I just overthinking here?

[pinkfloyd4ever]

Interesting question. This is only a guess, but IMO with all the rain the water is so clear that maybe its even your movement in the boat that is keeping them skittish and/or a combo between that and your shades.

The positive is your getting out and having follows!

Good luck

[TSchultz]

The quick movement by you to start the figure eight is probably the most noticeable to the fish. If you can wait until you turn the fish away from you in the figure eight before you make quick movements to the side of the boat, bending over or dropping to your knees for the eight.

[Deet]

Please don't take offense to this...

You're standing in a 16 ft long (or more) boat with the hull 1.5 ft or more sunk into the water and about 2 ft walls above water, which is, no doubt, moving at least a little, and reflecting light every which direction, and you are worried about < 4 sq. inches of shiny surface on your face?

Sometimes muskies are skittish boatside, sometimes not. I don't know if anyone has a good explanation for it. I'm sure they notice the gigantic object straight in front of them every time, it's just that sometimes they don't care about it, and sometimes they do.

If they NEVER stick around through the 8, then it's probably a technique thing. You might already do this, but try pulling your bait deep as soon as you see the fish by pushing your rod in the water (like you already do), but deep down, so that by the time the fish is boat-side and you're doing your figure-8, your bait and the fish are 4 to 5 ft under water.

I just don't think your Oakley sunglasses have anything to do with it.

[CaptainMusky]

Replace those Oakleys with a pair of Costas and you will never have a fish spook again. In fact you will get more fish to come to the boat for more figure 8's.

OK, all kidding aside, I highly doubt any glare from your sunglasses would spook the fish.

They could have reacted to your sillouette, which would be prominent on a high sunny day, which we havent had much this year, more so than anything.

How your lure approaches the boat BEFORE you start your "8" or "J" Turn can easily spook them.

Make sure your first turn is a large sweeping one. No sharp turns and keep the lure deep.

If the fish was aggressive enough to follow it close, speed up the retrieve 10 yards out from the boat to get it more worried about catching up than what might be going on around it.

Often guys slow down at the boat and that gets them all messed up.

[graf703]

I agree with Captainmusky. Start drawing the lure deep before you begin the figure Ds. When I switched to 9'+ rods I noticed I was getting much better follow action. Bring it in deep go through the wide sweeping turn close to the boat and bring the lure up as you go away from the boat. I hooked my last two fish using that and I've had follows last much longer at the boat. If the fish disappears go super deep and keep circling/figure 8ing deep below the boat. On the thirtieth circle I've had fish come back.

[SmellEsox]

Is it possible? Maybe. But it is more likely that those fish have had a few bad experiences boatside in the past. Quick movements can send them off in a hurry also. However, I've also had fish flash quickly away only for them to return out of nowhere and hammer my bait. So definitely keep your lure in the water for a couple turns.

[RK]

Hiya -

Couple thoughts...

I've worn mirror lens glasses for years and never thought they spooked fish. I do know for sure that in pressured and/or very clear water, fish get very boat shy, and any movement from above can spook them. I try to keep my arms in and move my upper body as little as possible when I have a fish by the boat on lakes like that. If the fish is really hot, you could do the chicken dance and they wouldn't care, but if you seem to have a lot of fish veering off, try limiting your upper body movement. Actually practice it - chances are in the heat of the moment you're moving a lot more than you think you are.

Along with that - as soon as I see a fish I'm starting to try triggering it, or getting its mood turned more aggressive so it's more likely to hit on an 8. Speed up, change direction, change depth (bringing a bucktail up to the surface is a great trigger, for example) - change things up somehow. If you can get a fish moving out of a direct line of travel and get it moving up and down or side to side, in my experience your chances of it hitting go through the roof.

One other thought - sometimes fish racing off is a good sign. Other than an obvious spook when you hit the side of the boat or something, I take any kind of fast movement from a fish as a good sign. As SE said, sometimes they blast off, but if you keep figure-8ing they come back out of nowhere and smack it.

Cheers,

RK

[muskylunkin]

Thank you guys so much. I have been trying to be real calm on my eights but I think more than likely I am moving a bit too much. I have dipped the rod to the reel in the water eighting but never 30 times. I will stick with it next time. Really appreciate all the info. Just got to keep getting better!

[graf703]

I also forgot one thing I changed. I have stopped telling my boat partner I have a follow. I swear I've spooked fish on my line or my absent minded father's line by calling out the fish. I keep quiet. Stay smooth. And stay alert.