New Baits for 05!

[cliffy]

So, what new baits has everyone purchased over the winter that they think will produce "the big one"?

I picked up a lot of the new stuff but the one that has my attention the most is the Bucher Swim-n-joe. I was fine tuning my new lures this past weekend, on a lake without muskies of course, and thought that lure has the most life like action. Anyone else have thoughts on this lure.

Anyway, what other lures are people going to be talking about?

Take care.

[Scoot]

Cliffy,

I got tons of gear over the winter. However, none of it is really exciting, just filling in the holes in my arsenal. I'm still short a few big ticket items, but I feel pretty good about what I have to throw at this point. All we need now is to get through the next ten days and we'll be off and running- can't wait!

[RK]

Hiya,

You know, I didn't get too much new stuff this year.

A couple things I'm excited about though:

- 10" Super Believer and super stalkers. Love the 8-inchers of both of these, so pretty enthused about the bigger ones.

- Jammer crankbait from Musky Innovations. Like the size/profile (looks like about a 7" cisco), and if it dives to the depth they say it does (around 5-7 feet) I think it'll be a good one behind boards over open water. A little worried about durability though.

- I fish jigs a fair amount, and few jigs got my attention this year: Esox Cobra Jigs from bait rigs - these are going to be pretty good swimming jigs. Flat-bottomed head so they'll wobble good, and an awesome hook (big, wide-gap Ultra point). No weedguard though, so will have to see how that goes. May be a sand/deep edge only kind of deal. Jig-A-Beast from ERC. Great hook, and pretty durable skirt. Like J-Mac jigs a lot, but the skirts don't hold up too well and I'm not wild about the hook. Jig-A-Beasts look like they'll hook better and hold up better. Lil' Hustler muskie swimming jig. Same deal - really good skirt and hooks. Not sure about the head design. Think you may need a real wide plastic to get it to flutter, so may have to go back to a Jellyhoo rather than a Salt Shaker, but these look pretty good.

- HyJacker spinnerbait. Built by the Shrivers (Jack Sr. and Jack Jr.) who designed them to haul fish out of the rushes on Leech. Built like tanks, real long arms for fishing through rushes, and fairly sparse skirts so they cast well in a wind. Best BIG spinnerbait since the old M&G Magnums.

14" Jakes and 13" Believers. Fall trolling... I got a chance to see some prototypes of these when I fished with Luke from Drifter on the St. Lawrence last November. Egad. You should see the big believer in the water... Tracks straight, but wanders side to side about 3 feet plus up and down a little. Like a good Wiley or Terminator, but 4x the size.

Uhh... I think that's it...

Hey Cliffy - how's fishing up your way? Heading up there this weekend to the cabin on crystal. Might not fish though. Dilly-dallied on getting my new boat ordered this year (what a dope - I never learn...) and it won't be in till next Tuesday. Prolly ok - cabin needs some work, and it never seems to happen when I have a boat handy

Cheers,

RK

[cliffy]

RK:

I have only been fishing Lida for the past few days and the fishing has been pretty good in the eve. I have not been having as much luck during the day hours.

The shinner minnows are running shallow right now so all my luck has been in very skinny water. I have been throwing a small minnow bait (some type of rapala) near rocky shoreline in about 1 to 2 feet of water and pulling it out deep....all my eyes are coming some where between that 2 and 8 foot of water....just after sun down.

Good luck.

[RK]

Hiya,

Cool - thanks for the report Cliffy. I may have to go low tech and put on the waders this weekend. Used to do it a lot in high school and whacked the walleyes pretty good at times. Wade out till the water was almost over the waders then cast in. HS friend of mine dropped a 4 pounder down the front of his waders once. Quite a sight watching him try to get out of waist-deep water while getting poked by dorsal spines where you'd rather not be poked by dorsal spines. Might be one of the funniest things I've ever seen...

RK

[BrianLucky13]

Hey Cliffy, I got a bunch of home made lures that ive been making and was wondering if you want to try a couple????? I just want to see someone catch a fish with one. They work real good and have a lot of action under the water. I make mostly crankbaits or jerkbaits and sometimes top water. If you wanna try one let me know what color you want and how deep you want it to dive. I just made one for Rick for his graduation and it looks sweet.

I dont know how much time ill get on the water this summer with work and all so i cant try them as much as i would like.

So let me know if you wanna give one a try cuz I think some of them look better then any ive ever bought!!

Brian

[scsavre]

Cliffy, Scoot, RK,

I think you are my guys that live near D.L. or atleast get up there. I was just gonna ask if you guys have ever been to Bucks Mill (on the Pelican river between Pelican and Mellisa or Sallie).

Anyway I always see a few big muskies hanging around in there each spring. Pelican is the only lake that these fish could be comming from but, there is two small lakes between Pelican and the mill.

Do these fish always swim all the back to Pelican or are these small lakes fishable. Im on Pelican and have only had my boat in Little P once. Im clueless.

[Scoot]

Scott,

I know where you're talking about, but that's about all I can say with any confidence. My guess is that they find their way back out to Pelican, but that is a complete guess. I have no idea...

[scsavre]

Hey Scoot I just read last week that a guy caught a 53 in our area last summer. Big fish

[cliffy]

Hi Brian:

I would me more then happy to test any of your lures....your sister says you have been very busy making some awesome looking baits..I am very interested in seeing them in action. I tell you what, perhaps you and I will have to hit one of the local muskie lakes after opener and you can show me yourself.

Take care.

[BrianLucky13]

Cliffy, sounds good im up for it anytime as long as i dont work!!!!!! Next time your at my sisters place maybe she will show you the one I gave Rick.

Talk to you later!!!

[RK]

Hiya

scsavare - yeah, can see quite a few muskies paddling around down there in the spring sometimes. I used to spear suckers there when I was a kid.

I'm sure some of those fish stay in the small lakes. If there's food there, which there certainly is, why not? Likely more of an early season thing maybe, for any numbers of fish, but am sure some stay there all the time. I know bass guys bump into them now and then. Muskies have a way of turning up where you don't expect them to be...

Cheers,

RK