Musky Opener 2008

[MUSKYMAN1011]

Where is everyone going on Musky opener &

What are your top 5 lakes in the State?

Thanks in advance

Brian K

[Muskiefool]

Thats tough to decide

#1 Leech

#2 ""

#3 ""

#4 ""

#5 ""

LOL I like the Natural lakes for several resons none being catching large amounts of fish its actually just the opposite.

"1 natural fish released = 10 pen raised lake releases"

Some may argue a fish is a fish but thats all based on your perception.

I do want to catch a big Winnie girl sometime, I think that is about the only Muskie that will trump a Leech fish.

[10,000 Casts]

I am going to fish Leech for Opener. I've got a about 30 spots that I want to try...

My Top 10 MN Muskie Lakes (All around)

1. Mille Lacs

2. Vermillion

3. Bemidji

4. Leech

5. Big Detroit

6. Big

7. Plantangenet

8. Alexander

9. Wabedo

10. Minnetonka

Anybody from any other states (Wisconsin)accchem... want to put up a list that can compete with that?

[Quackaddict9]

If I get out on opener, one of these lakes.

Andrusia

Wolf Lake

Cass

Bemidji

[cjac]

Hi,

I think the criteria for a Top 5 list needs to be set first. A top 5 list of lakes to catch a big fish on vs. a top 5 list of "fun to fish" lakes will be totally different for me.

For example, Mille Lacs would be the #1 lake on my big fish list, but not always the most fun lake to fish. Lots of boat traffic, launch fees, sun/wind burn, and leaving the lake feeling like every vertabrae in your back is compressed if it's rough doesn't always equal "fun" for me. I have enough back issues as it is.......

On the flip side, a couple smaller lakes close to home, easy to hit which helps with the "fun" factor, can be a blast! People dismiss a 36" muskie as being small......think about it, it's a 3 foot long fish! If that can't be considered fun I'm having a big garage sale.....

Minnetonka on a weekday can be fun, on a weekend it's not, however it holds numbers and the big fish potential, so it may be a cross-over list lake for me, both fun and for the "size" factor.

Opener for me? I'll be in the metro, close to home. On a lake that's fun to fish that has treated me well the last couple openers, and I'm confined to being in-town for the nephew's grad party that Sunday.

Regarding Leech, it's been a butt-kicker the last couple years for many of us (most really), I have a hunch it may change in '08.

[10,000 Casts]

In my list I went for best all around. Meaning big fish, small fish, medium fish, lots of fish or at least the chances of.

[MUSKYMAN1011]

Thanks for the input guys!

I do like 10,000 cast list !~

The only other lake (I might hit on opener would be Lake Miltona)

Any Early favorite Presentations for you guys?

I like the "phantoms" myself, regular and the softail

6 or 8 inch both work well!

Thanks

Brian

[MuskyChad]

I will be on Little Wolf or Cass on opener.

Top lakes

1.Alexander

2.Man Trap

3.Bemidji

4. Cedar

5. Cass

Chad

[Nick Kuhn]

 Originally Posted By: 10,000 Casts

My Top 10 MN Muskie Lakes (All around)

1. Mille Lacs

2. Vermillion

3. Bemidji

4. Leech

5. Big Detroit

6. Big

7. Plantangenet

8. Alexander

9. Wabedo

10. Minnetonka

Anybody from any other states (Wisconsin)accchem... want to put up a list that can compete with that?

Well I live in Minnesota but fish in Wisconsin a lot. So here it goes:

1. Green Bay/Lower Fox River

2. Chippewa Flowage

3. North/South Twin

4. Lac Vieux Desert

5. Eagle River Chain

6. Pelican

7. Namekagon

8. Bone

9. Turtle/Flambeau Flowage

10. Holcombe Flowage

[Grant Pearson]

I'll probably be hitting Either Bald Eagle or White Bear for opener, with the probablility on Bald Eagle. I know the lake and spots, and had 2 over 45 landed last year.

[MUSKYMAN1011]

How about Lures guys?

Any early season favorites?

Thanks

Brian K

[Grant Pearson]

top 3 for opener:

X-rap

five of diamonds

size 18 rap

[MUSKY18]

Top 5 lakes (in no particular order):

1. Alexander

2. Vermillion

3. Miltona

4. Little Boy Chain

5. Leech

will give an honorable mention to Mille Lacs. Would have made the list, but just too many folks out there.

As for lures.......if it is cloudy with some wind and cool temps, i will throw a #5 or #6 Black Musky Buck with Nickel spinner. Move it fast and look for active fish and reaction strikes. Otherwise, I will be throwing Eagletails and Bobbie Baits.

[AWH]

I can't do 5, I need a top 6. In no particular order...

Gull

Pokegama

Whitefish

Green

Koronis

Otter Tail

Aaron

[cjac]

I like the 20/20 or should I say 2020 vision! I received the latest plan via email from the DNR this week, but more support is needed.....

That does make a great list thought just by looking at it!

[Rebel9921]

From the way things are looking for me, I dont think I'll be fishing on the Muskie Season Opener... in fact, I dont think I'll be fishing til July or August...

Reason for this is: I had a little mishap... was taking apart a tv for scrap metal (I like to recycle metal)... I was cutting off the metal band around the tube and somehow the glass tube just blew up... I came out of it mostly unscathed except for a chunk sliced off the palm (palm area leading up to ring/pinky fingers, hard to explain) of the left hand... approximately the size of Eisenhower silver dollar chunk was sliced off... like I put it to a meat slicer... 11 stitches... 50/50 chance it'd reattach back... and since I cast with my left hand and palm the reel with my left hand... I dont know how tolerable fishing will be for my hand for a while...

with this mishap occuring... I also havent really able to work on the boat too... it sucks... but life goes on... a lesson learned... I'll never take apart a tv ever again, even tho this was the 2nd tv I've took apart... I have an appt with the hand specialist on Tuesday then we'll see how the prognosis is... if it does die off, at least I can boast of having a built-in recess for the reel to fit in comfortably LOL

[delmuts]

OUCH!!! hope you heal fast! del

[Tippman]

 Originally Posted By: AWH

I can't do 5, I need a top 6. In no particular order...

Gull

Pokegama

Whitefish

Green

Koronis

Otter Tail

Aaron

I really like this list. What can I do to help make sure it goes through?

[10,000 Casts]

 Quote:

I can't do 5, I need a top 6. In no particular order...

Gull

Pokegama

Whitefish

Green

Koronis

Otter Tail

Aaron

All are good choices except Ottertail. That is one lake that I think doesn't need to be changed in anyway, even if it is with my beloved Muskies. + there wouldn't be enough spots to fish. I wouldn't mind seeing Clitherall, East Battle, Dead, or Star Stocked with Skis, they just make more sense to me. But if they did.... Man, would it grow some pigs!

As for baits on the opener, I like throwing alot of spinnerbaits big and small. Inlines of course, usaully small ones and I will always toss a few jerkbaits in the mix, can't forget Topwaters too. And I can't forget that I am sure I will throw a few of my new baits just to see how they work.

[DHanson]

Ottertail would be a great muskie lake.

[10,000 Casts]

 Quote:

Ottertail would be a great muskie lake.

There is actually a very small population in there now. Not fishable but a few are caught every year. We used to hammer the big Northerns right after opener on OT.

[propster]

Reb,

What the heck are ya doin? I just saw your post about what you did to your hand. Dang, I feel for ya man. If it was me I'd probably tell Hunter to just go ahead and shoot me, or put me in the old folks home. Remember, you're ambidextrous, so cast, hold and reel with your right hand! Or maybe you can troll. Great attitude though, and I hope it heels quicker than you think. Keep us posted how you're doing so we can take you out.

[Rebel9921]

 Originally Posted By: delmuts

OUCH!!! hope you heal fast! del

Oh yeah... hurts like a HECK!!! Thanks!!! Just hope its all good news all the way... and I can get back to fishing "sooner" than "later"...

 Originally Posted By: propster

Reb,

What the heck are ya doin? I just saw your post about what you did to your hand. Dang, I feel for ya man. If it was me I'd probably tell Hunter to just go ahead and shoot me, or put me in the old folks home. Remember, you're ambidextrous, so cast, hold and reel with your right hand! Or maybe you can troll. Great attitude though, and I hope it heels quicker than you think. Keep us posted how you're doing so we can take you out.

If I lost the hand... I'd be very LOST in life... hard time fishing, inability to use sign language totally... limited ability to get things done myself... I'd probably have Hunter shoot me at that point LOL... I know Im ambidextrous... but as odd as it sounds, Im mostly right handed... but I just dont feel comfortable casting with my right hand anymore... I feel so comfortable casting with my left hand... smooth fluid movement on my left... good distance... but we'll see how things goes as it heals up... again, you're too kind... Im thinking positive... just wanna get the boat done... just wanna go out fishing... so yeah... sure will keep you updated!!!

[cjac]

Reb,

Take care and rest the hand and LISTEN TO THE DOCTORS!

I hope it heals well for you.

Chris

[Rebel9921]

Oh yeah Cjac... Im listening to them regardless... Just restless waiting for the appt on tuesday... I've been wanting to work on my boat so bad but I know its not possible, as per on doctor's order... at least til its healed up... Im just bearing and grinning with not being able to do anything with my left hand... sucks... but life goes on... it'll get better sooner or later...

On an interesting note... its not the first major injury to my left hand... when I was 13, I almost lost my index finger to a bandsaw... then abt 4 years ago... severly sliced my thumb with a razor blade... I cant fold the thumb down as much as I used to... but its getting better each year tho...

Im just glad my track record of having accidents is much more less than Tim Taylor's