What I learned this year....

[cjac]

Hi all,

Upon doctor's recommendations from my back surgery I'm shutting it down for the year. Time to reflect on what I learned.

Overall, I learned a lot! There is a ton of information here on FM, so first off thanks to all. Most fish in my boat in a season, still not a lot, but more than ever before. I also learned I have a ton more to learn! I got to meet and greet and fish with several, so thanks again to those I met.

Key points:

Proper release tools are essential. Upgraded my net & tools and it makes a world of difference. Cutting hooks is now a staple with me. Easier, safer, quicker, etc. I had a few I didn't get an in-water length measure on because they took off too quickly....I'll take that every time to be honest.

Hybrids are cool, and lots of them in town. I'll leave that one at that.

Big baits do produce, but don't overlook the smaller stuff. Think about how many muskies are caught by bass anglers.....

Hooks: Sharpen them. I use a $4 file from the hardware store, nothing fancy, but it works.

Reels: You do in a sense get what you pay for, but maintenance does help. I am throwing several brands, I like the Daiwa Lunas, but also have a $100 Cardiff that has been flawless. In general, get what feels right and what best suits your budget.

Rods: Now love the longer rods. Longer casts, better figure 8s, better control. Customs are pricy, but I think they make a difference in performance and angler comfort. KT Pro Edge rods are worth a look for sure, love 'em.

Line: I have Suffix, Power Pro, and Courtland spooled up. All are good, use what suits you best. Me...still deciding!

Electronics: Get what you can afford. I will be upgrading, it really does help. Yeah, you can call it cheating, but in today's fishing environment it's a leg up.

Figure 8s: Do them and practice them. Missed a few fish that were hot, and it's my fault not the fishes. One, based on who I was with, was embarrassing that I didn't hook up. Live and learn I guess. Also, stick to a routine of free-spool or not, whatever you or your preference is, do stick to it. Wider and faster the better, and play with depth on the turns and straights. It'll produce.

Where to go: Not all fish are where everyone else is. Look at a map and look for subtle areas. On the flip side, if you hit the water and no one has worked a major structure area, work it hard.

When: Caught mid-day fish, but tough it out and get out early, especially in the summer, you'll be glad you did.

Boat: Keep it clean and organized. Enough said.

Lure selection: Go with what you are confident in. I had a few guys comment to me on how committed I was to a particular bait or presentation. Stick with what you feel good about. A line in the boat is obviously not in the water, where are the fish, in the boat or in the water?

Focus: I just missed a fish Sunday because for a minute I decided to stare at my reel, not sure why. Point is, be tuned in at all times.

Ask questions: Most of what I've commented on is an echo from those that know far more than I do. Be a sponge and soak in the advice that you hear. It comes from the savvy and experience from those that likely know more than you.

One more: A nice fall evening walk with the Mrs. should not entail taking off the shoes, socks, and pants to walk the boat off a reef on Mille Lacs! She was not impressed....

Boy, did I ramble. Hope this helps you look back on the year and learn from what you did....or didn't do right.

Chris

[MuskieSlayer]

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One more: A nice fall evening walk with the Mrs. should not entail taking off the shoes, socks, and pants to walk the boat off a reef on Mille Lacs! She was not impressed....

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I wish I could say I haven't been there.

Good list. Even when talking to some of the old-timers they will tell you they learn something new every time on the water. The challenge and learning are some of the reasons why I love muskie fishing. That, and the weak in the knees feeling after a big submarine follows my lure to the boat.

Maybe next year we can get on the water more frequently. I always have an open seat for you on Mille Lacs too.

[Scoot]

One thing I learned was be careful when you copulate. Adding a baby to the household in early Sep put a serious damper on my muskie fishing during my favorite window of time to fish for toothy critters- mid Aug to mid Sep. I usually catch about half of my year's fish in that one month window. This year, I didn't fish once in that timeframe!

[propster]

Cjac - great list. I've learned many of them also but now need to put them into practice. I have two questions - do you mind sharing what the number was you put in the boat this year? And secondly, I made it a point to do more figure 8s this year and do them well, not halfheartedly. And lo and behold I hooked up on several. Problem is I only landed 2 or 3 of the 8 or 10 that I hooked in the 8. I'm wondering if that is a reasonable percentage (Not), but more importantly what should I be doing differently? I try to reverse direction and set against the way they're heading when they grab the bait, but of course the limited line that's out hampers the ability to really put the screws to 'em. And I felt like I did a good job of keeping tension on 'em. Any suggestions? Lots of fun though!

[cjac]

propster-

My time was limited this year (both number of times out and how long I could go for) with back surgery, but I think we put 11 in the boat, I should mention partners caught more of the 11 than I did, but I really don't care.

First off, if you're getting that many to hit, make note of what you're doing right! Speed and size, depth on turns and straights, etc. Practice the good things you're doing.

For the 8s, couple that converted for me were fun. Personally I go to free spool, so when fish eats I have the ability to let off a little line. Also, keep the rod in the water, let a fish get on top on the short line and it'll be gone in no time. If you can, take the fish for a "walk", around the bow or back of the boat, burns off some steam and gets you to a point where you have a little more room to work the fish.

Partner did this to a "T" a couple weeks ago on a 43" tiger, played it perfect. Just to give you an idea of the power, it bent a 3/0 treb to the point she came off as soon as the net was under her and the line tension was gone.

Chris

[propster]

Ahhh - that walking her around the boat deal ought to work, and keeping the rod in the water or his head down is a given, but i forget occasionally in the heat of the moment. I will make sure I do both whenever possible, though it seems like they were off before I would have had a chance to walk 'em. Just need to get the hooks into 'em better, and I need to get more hits, and I need to get more time on the water, and...

[Professional Edge]

I learned that when setting the hook you should make sure your feet are ready so you do not end up on your back in the splash pan of Chris's boat. Fish would have been a nice start to the year.

It is not about catching...its about enjoying. I really enjoyed spending time in the boat this year.

Keith

[cjac]

The figure 8 fish I mentioned that I missed and was embarrassed about was likely the same fish that resulted in the "splash pan" incident.....I'll be working to correct that this off-season in a boat modification project. Where was your Skeeter when we needed it?

If you're serious about a high quality muskie rod check out Keith's Pro Edge rods, you will not be disappointed, if for some reason you are I'll buy it off you.....they're that good. Bass and 'eye rods too....off the charts from what I hear. On my Xmas list for sure......

Chris

[Grant Pearson]

Quote:

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One thing I learned was be careful when you copulate. Adding a baby to the household in early Sep put a serious damper on my muskie fishing during my favorite window of time to fish for toothy critters- mid Aug to mid Sep. I usually catch about half of my year's fish in that one month window. This year, I didn't fish once in that timeframe!

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Cupid's arrow struck the boss and me!!! Our first was born 11/11. Now only does that cut into the best 'ski fishing timeframe IMO, but also deer hunting!! Now, I told her that our "breeding season" is between March and May, that way I don't loose out on much other than a little ice fishing.