Follows and Throw-backs

[tonyjor]

Ok, I was out today and had a follow by a 40" fish. I got her to come all the way to the boat. She looked as if she was about to strike and then she swam off towards the stern. My question is, do I now cast off in the direction she swam and try to "intercept" her with my original/throw-back lure? Or do I just start casting the same area I had her follow from?

[Fish&Fowl]

Glad you asked this question. I had a few follow ups today, not with a 40" fish, but when I did some 8's by the boat they eventually took off and I found myself wondering "Now what can I do to get that fish's attention again?" Someone help us!

[TeamTracker]

Welcome to the greatest question of musky fishing! I think the most important thing to do is that when you do throw a lure back, try doing the same exact thing as you were doing when it followed...obviously you caught the fishes attention and they were curious. Secondly, if you have a second rod close by, throw a "throwback lure" back at her. This could be a lure such as a Jackpot, or a Suick, or something that was different then what you just threw. And lastly, don't dwell on that same spot all day. I'd give it a couple more casts and see what happens and then move on. I always mark mine with the GPS and come back and work it later. As far as casting direction, it wouldn't be a bad idea to throw it in the direction it went, depending on where it went, maybe a short little cast may grab its attention. A short cast is quieter and causes less surface noise when entering the water so it maybe more finesse, but a longer cast may look like its coming from a different direction? With a figure 8, make sure that you are always doing them as some fish are aways back or way below your lure. When I do my figure 8, I'm always looking at least 10ft back to see what's behind it...you're gonna see a muskie right on top of your lure, so make sure you look beyond your lure. Hope this helps and good luck to you!

[RK]

Hiya -

I definitely would throw out in front of the fish if you were able to see where it headed off to. No reason not to. Caught quite a few that way. Best chance to get one to hit is if the fish was fairly hot to begin with. If they just turn and paddle off, it's tough, but if they really scoot off fast, for sure get a bait back in front of them. I take any fast movement by the fish as a good sign (unless it's obviouly just plain spooked by movement or kicking the side of the boat when you go to figure-8...).

After that...sort of depends on what I do. Sometimes I'll try a different lure, but not too often. May generate another follow but not a hit all that often. I'd rather leave it for a while and come back to it. If it's a big fish I'll wait until I get a weather change, lunar period (moonrise/set) or light change (sunset or clouds moving in) before I return. When you come back, definitely try to identify exactly where the fish came from if you can, especially if it's shallow water or a Shield lake - lots of times they'll return to the exact same spot where they came from.

Lots of ways to play it though. I know guys that will camp on a fish and throw the kitchen sink at it - they catch their share that way too...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm