Muskies???

[minnesotamusky]

How's the muskie fishing been in the Spirit Lake area lately? Thinking about making a trip down there on October 29th. Anyone been out lately?

[Wadinator]

We were there Saturday morning. Trolled a jake from 5:15am till 10am with no luck. Pulled #5, #8, and #9 Shad Raps on three other poles trying for walleyes. Nothing doin.

I think early morning near shorline currents is the key. We were too deep IMO, but someone else told me we were too shallow and shoulda been trollin right down the middle of the lake. Who knows?

[690VS]

I've been out alot on west and i would say its picking up nicely. Seeing alot of fish and even caught 1 41" fish lost 2 upper 30" class fish i'm just not seeing alot of big fish

i did see one in the mid 40's and a friend of mine has a picture of one he had hooked on a shad rap had it to the boat a couple times was able to get a picture and that fish would have went 50" biggest fish i've seen in west in some years. I don't now what to tell you about spirit because the weeds died early from the heat and it's been really tough to fish i have caught 3 out of there but it's been tough.

[minnesotamusky]

Thanks for the info.

[minnesotamusky]

I guess we can't make it down there on the 29th. But we are coming down on Nov.5th & 6th instead. Anyone been out muskie fishing lately? Would like to find someone in the Spirit Lake area that does alot of muskie fishing. Have some questions that I'd like to ask about West/East Okoboji and Spirit Lake. My email address is [email protected]

[690VS]

I was out last night on west and caught 2 41" & 43" the water temp was in the mid 50's and i think it's finaly going to start to turn on.It's been really tuff this year. I fish these lakes all year i only live 2 miles from the boat ramp and i'll answer any question you have.

[minnesotamusky]

Hey 690VS, you answered one of my questions. What is the current water temp? The other questions that I have are: What is the main forage for the muskies in West Okoboji? What are some of the best color patterns to use? What have you been catching them on? Topwater? Jerkbaits? Bucktails? What about trolling? Where are some of the best spots to try? My brother and I are also looking for a cheap hotel for the weekend. Any ideas? Thanks for the help and info.

[690VS]

water temp was 54 last night i caught 1 35" fish on west. As far as forage i would say perch & walleye are the main forage so those two color patterns work the best for me with

walleye pattern being my # 0ne choice as far as baits i start with jerk baits then crank baits and spinner baits would be next theres been some guys catching fish on bull dawgs. Trolling works great on west but if you can catch them casting i don't troll. As far as spots all the bays are good with smiths or the north end probably tops this year but don't over look emerson and millers find the weeds and fish the inside and the outside but i'm starting to see more fish in the shallows lately. The northland inn is on highway 9 on the northwest corner of west 1/2 mile from a boat ramp on west and 2 miles from spirit phone number is 712-336-1450. Pheasant season opens this weekend in Iowa so you'll want to call right away because the first 2 weeks there's alot of out of state hunter and the motels are busy. I've heard that spirit is also got some fish moving i'm going to try and get up there this week but it tough to leave west when i've got fish working i'll let you know if i do though.

[minnesotamusky]

Thanks for all the info. My brother and I will be down there next saturday morning. I have a dark green/tan Lund Explorer 1650 with a 50 hp Yamaha. If you see us, stop by and say hi. Sounds like you know West Okoboji pretty good. Let me know how you do on Spirit, if you make it out there.

[minnesotamusky]

Here's a pictue of the 36" muskie I caught on West Okoboji on Sunday morning. Hope it works, i've never posted pictures on here before.

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/199/s4thmuskie53xo.jpg