Your year, in a nutshell

[Scoot]

How was everyone's year? Mine was cut short, for good news- had a baby in early Sep. After that I did some bowhunting when I had a little free time (very little). I ended the year with nine fish. I had a 51, 48, and four 47's in the mix, so I was really happy with size this year. My most productive time of year each year is mid Aug to mid Sep, and I didn't pitch a single lure in that timeframe this year. Most importantly, I learned a lot this year and had a ton of fun.

What's the brief review of your year?

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Fished some tiger lakes in the early season. Decent numbers but no size. Didnt fish 'skis in the summer. In the fall I got more serious and finally realized the lakes I was fishing where not working for me. Started fishing more productive water and began moving legal fish and caught my biggest 35" Ive got confidence next year Ill get that legal fish...

[PDXFisher]

Was in Calgary in May, caught about 60 Northerns in two days fly fishing, so that was a good way to start off.

But, I started out the year determined to get my first Muskie in the boat after nearly 20 days trying, Pike just weren't good enough. My first trip out from Portland to MSP on opening week had far more action than I had ever seen previously. After striking out on Tonka and Indy with a guide, had two hookups on Mantrap, many follows and several strikes with Muskybug, but still...no fish boated.

Showed up again in early August. Went out with Brian Jones on Cass for two days. Had hookups, but again they slipped off. Spent a few more days in the area and finally got my first, a 46" on Big Lake. Had more action on Plantagenette, but no more boated (another guy in the boat got a 48" there). Went back to the Metro area, caught a little 24" or so on Tonka, then about a 52"-54" on Waconia. So, 25+ days fishing to this point in MN, 3 fish to hand. Would have had easily five more if I could learn not to yank the topwaters out of their mouths as soon as they hit it (while letting out a startled "whoah!").

Decided to try for Tigers in Washington, since the best Tiger lake in the state is only an hour from me. Have caught a 30", 36", 37" and 42" in four trips. Crazy. In four days fishing in Washington, I've caught more "Muskies" than 25+ days in Minnesota. But I've gotta say, they don't fight much at all, and everything about fishing for them in MN is more exciting. See you in June. And August. And if they let me (or my shoulder blades let me), September and October.

Derek

[hanson]

This might have been the year to light that little fire under me to fish muskies. Accidentally caught that 48" in my avatar on Cass Lake this fall and that was pretty exciting!

While I'm not going to be able to jump in head first (due to other fish I love to fish for), a couple rods and a bunch of baits won't be out of the question. And then a little time in the boat as well.

[Scoot]

hanson,

If you get up this way next summer and have a need to scratch that muskie itch, give me a shout. I'll happily take you out on one of the local waters that hold toothy critters.

[gundy89]

Didn't get out much at all, but had two personal bests. 48" muskie and 40" tiger. Ended up with 5 fish for the year. Next year, I'll put more time on the water.

[setterguy]

By far my most productive year on the water, this was the first year I made some sense out of what was happening in the water below me. I think I concentrated more on spot on spot casting, and attention to detail more than ever before which really paid off. Can't wait for 08.

[SJonesi]

Great season overall, now if I could just figure out how to fit 50" ers in the gas tank!!!LOL. Steve

[trimbelle22]

frustration would be the word that would describe my year best. finally put in a lot of time on the water and saw quite a few fish but had a hard time putting many in the boat. had a day where we boated three fish, unfortunatly my friend caught all three of them. i learned a lot though and i am getting more hooked than ever. bought a new rod and reel and i'm already looking at more equipment for next year. i fish the less populated waters of western wisconsin and i think it is obvious i need to make a few trips to mn next summer as well...

[Grant Pearson]

my season was overall pretty good. 50% of the fish boated this year were over 42 inches, including a 47.5 and a 48.25 incher. The only downside that I'd have to say, and most would say the same, is not enough time on the water.

Next year I'm going for the 50+ incher.

[Nick Kuhn]

I will agree Western Wisconsin was pretty frustrating this year. I boated a 42 on my first trip in June, then I don't think I saw another fish until late July.

A single instance on Long Lake (Chippewa County) about sums it up. I had been throwing a bucktail (this is early August)that I had been counting down for 2 seconds before beginning my retrieve. Then there was a cast where a mid 30's fish hit it almost as it hit the water, jumped and spat it before I could even make an attempt at setting the hook. Like most other days that just made everything seem hopeless.

[PDXFisher]

Why wait on your retrieve? At least 75% of my takes on bucktails were within two seconds of it hitting the water, and I am reeling when it hits. Of course, 90%+ of my takes were in less than 5FOW.

[Nick Kuhn]

I had been catching pike in that manner anyway in other spots on the lake. I had just moved to another break and though that approach would work. As I moved in over the break I did see bait fish right up at the surface though, whereas in other parts of the lake they had been down deeper. Was my first time on that water though, and next time I'll change my tactics a bit.

[hanson]

Quote:

---

hanson,

If you get up this way next summer and have a need to scratch that muskie itch, give me a shout. I'll happily take you out on one of the local waters that hold toothy critters.

---

I wouldn't mind taking you up on that offer. May/June is primetime flathead catfishing so it'll be tough to leave the river during that time period. We'll just have to touch base next summer and see if we can't figure out a day or two that works for the both of us.

[TBone1]

I was satisfied with my year , good #'s and a 52" for my largest.I also had a triple for the first time.

[Lals]

Looks like some of you guys had an awesome year. Anytime, you get a 50+....

I spent most of my time in Asia during the season but did get a chance to fish LOTW for 2 weeks -- How is that for priorities. Pretty sad in away given not spending enough time with the family Anyway, I got over it pretty quickly! Missed out of the "Cowgirls gone wild" bite up there by not throwing them. I got 11 up in LOTW (largest 46.5") and then made it back for a couple of days in Oct and got a 47" on WBL.

Thanks for all the postings. I was reading them all summer.

[Scoot]

Hanson, that sounds good. June is usually tough for me, but I had my best June ever this past summer with a few fish boated and a nice fat 48 incher fishing with my wife (actually, that outing was the highlight of my fishing season).

July, Aug, Sep are usually when I catch the majority of my fish. In particular, we should team up in mid Aug- I love that time of year! Many years I'll catch over half of my year's fish from Aug. 10th to Sep. 10th or so.

Lals, Asia? Cool. What took you over there for an extended period of time? Where were you at?

[10,000 Casts]

My year was pretty good overall. Fished some new water and had some decent luck.

My best day and one I will never forget... and we didn't even boat a ski that day but I did get a 9lb walleye...

Went out at sun up and hit a few spots and did not see a fish, went back to hit a rock pile about the size of a basketball court that we had already hit first thing that morning. At 11am with high skys and a little wind we see our first fish, then our second, third and forth and so on. In one hour we saw over 60 fish and most of them were pretty hot. I was reeling in my bait and I saw a really nice 50 hot on my buddies bait so stupid me instead of figure 8ing, I just froze and watched... After she left town I look down and there in a high 40"s nose to nose with mr bulldawg. I looked at my buddy and I said what the ... do I do here??? she was just sitting there 6" off the surface, as soon as I went into a figure 8 she darted off. I few more times after that we had good follows and a few doubles. In all of this, we couldn't do anything right! At 11am everything just shut down. I can't figure it out. In that hour we saw at least 10 fish over 50" and not one under 40". It was one of teh coolest things that I have ever done. Later that day, I took the wife out (as she didn't believe me, she always wonders why I fish so much for a fish that never bites when we could be catching bass...) we didn't see a fish...

Other than that, I didn't break the 50" mark this year and I am pretty disapointed in that but we had a good year none the less.

[Paul_Kramer]

I got my first muskie last month on my second trip. 41" on a big firetiger Silver Minnow.

[MUSKY18]

Must say that all in all it was a pretty good year. Even though I didn't get to start fishing for muskies until almost August, I did manage to boat 15 Muskies between Aug - Sep. After not fishing for two years because of deployment to Iraq, I considered it a great year. Didn't break the 50 mark yet, but hopefully next year!

[SJonesi]

Bret- Call me 612-799-2034. Steve

[RK]

Hiya -

Ya know, I had a pretty good year, even though I fished for muskies less this past season than I have in a while. I got on a smallmouth kick this season - they're the only fish that can make me stow the muskie gear - plus my kids are getting to the age where they want to go out all the time, so I did a lot of bass/crappie fishing with them, which is a blast.

Had a couple things stick out as I think about it. Had a 49, 50, and 51, all on topwaters, before 9:30 AM one morning (and missed two others...they were sorta biting I guess...). Had a great late fall trip to lake of the woods (we got 30-some in 10 days of fishing, plus saw swarms of ducks and hundreds of eagles). Definitely though the highlight was finally having my little guy (he's 2) in the boat when I caught a muskie so he could see it. He's a fishing nut already, and happened to be standing on the front deck by me when the fish followed and hit on a figure-8, so he got to see the whole thing. Hard fighting a 20-pounder one-handed though. I had to hold onto the back of his lifejacket to keep him from going over the side after the fish. It was really cool. Stuff like that makes a season right there.

Learned a few things too this year, and have some things I'm still pondering over the winter. All in all, a good season. Aren't they all?

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Professional Edge]

This year was the least amount of time I have ever spent musky fishing since I got the bug. First hookset of the year put me on my back in the splash pan. Tough to follow up on a performance like that right Chris?

I fish 90% of the time on Leech and it was a really different lake this year. Days without seeing a fish. That has never happened before. Worst year for muskies I can ever remember on Leech. I do not think I stand alone in saying that. On the other hand the poor Leech musky bite allowed me to try something different. I have been told by a guide friend on Leech that if I fish bass with him up there I might never be the same. He was so right.

I finally got a chance to get after some river smallmouth with RK. The bite was starting to slow down but we still had a good day.

Highlight is fishing with family plus watching Grandpa teach my two year old how to cast. Good memories.

Plus lots of rod building.

Hope all is well.

Keith

[MuskyChad]

I had a pretty good year. I fished less then I have the past 2 seasons, my first son was born in late April, which was the highlight of my season. I boated 7 muskies for the year. I also caught my first after dark fish when I was fishing with Luke Ronnestrand and had a geat time and I am looking forward to another trip next year. I also got a new p.b. my first 50". Cant wait for 08.

Chad

[cjac]

Quote:

---

First hookset of the year put me on my back in the splash pan. Tough to follow up on a performance like that right Chris?

---

Yeah, that evening was fun, and reminded me I need to extend the rear deck. Cool part is: Me being the "unofficial guide" put you on a fish! We'll leave out the details about my missed fish.....

Fun times this year, I have a lot better understanding of how to approach my time on the water now. Seeing and contacting more and more fish each year. Plus, really enjoyed getting out and fishing with some new folks, makes for good times and more opportunities to learn.

I went the opposite way and didn't do other species enough, looking to find a balance in '08.

Chris