Muskie Bite

[bassNspear]

hey all,

I am going to take a friend out on Tonka sunday that has never fished for muskies before. Just wondering what the bite is like out there these days, along with tactics that are hot out there right now.

Any information would be great. Thanks

[bigbritt]

the paul hartman minnesota muskie tourney is going on this weekend...might be a bit busy

[Mike Wallace]

I was out this a.m. on the west end of the lake. Temps in the low 50's. Fished from 8:30-11:00 and didn't see or feel a thing.

Fished Suicks in shallow weeds, deep weeds, near deep water, near sand...nothing.

[cjac]

bigbritt makes a good point, looking at a lot of pressure on the muskies, I think there's up to 150 spots. I'd go Waconia or Indy instead if you're staying on that end of town.

Chris

[bassNspear]

waconia might be a great spot to go. is kegs hot right now for muskies?

[cjac]

You have the main structures and the island area, but those are all hit a 1000 times by this point of the season. They'll still hold fish, but I'd approach Waconia like you're bass fishing. Look to areas you'd work for bass, throwing spinnerbaits like Rad Dogs, and maybe the big jig'n'pig set up, with the 6 inch shaker. I was surprised by how green the weeds were still on Sunday, so look for those.

Hope that helps, Chris

[bassNspear]

thanks for the help.

i am going to run out to waconia on sunday or monday morning. If i dont have any luck on muskies in the morning, ill go hunt for some 6lbs.

[cjac]

B'n'S,

Another option there would be to go after walleyes/muskies and troll around the 6 to 10 foot rims of the reefs and the flats with husky jerks sz 12 & 14, rogues, thundersticks, etc. Might get a couple 'eyes as Wac has a decent walleye population and the muskies will hit these 5 and 5 1/2 inch baits as well, ask the guys on Mille Lacs how many skis they hit while walleye fishing. Put these on your heavier bass set-ups and you'll be good to go. I picked up some Berkley 45lb test 12 inch wire leaders for this purpose, light enough not to kill the lure action but will help with the skis. For eyes on Mille it's just a cross-lok, but I'm trying the leader out. The 80 or 100lb flouro leaders do OK with this too, just not in rocks.

I've been catching a few skis on 6 inch cranks, and I read in the Red Lake forum this is a good way to chase the big pike up there, so it should apply to skis as well, or be worth a try. That post also said if you "tick" some good weeds, stop and cast a bit, which might work well on the Wac reefs. Those guys know what they're talking about far more than me.

If nothing else, it's a bit different than what they've seen all year and it could be a eye, ski, or bass if you get a hit. I think metro muskies can identify a double 10 bucktail and bulldawg better than I can, but I'm also guilty of throwing them alot, go figure.

Let me know how you do.

Chris