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So I figured the next best thing to feeding my pike addiction is to get into some muskies. Never really had a good opportunity to fish for them, but I'm pretty confident, since they are so similar to pike. [  ]
My question: Is now the time to find the Pineview Muskies in the shallows? Or do they wait till it warms up a bit more? I've heard the ice just melted, and I've wanted to get up there, but I would like to time my trip just right so I can find them in the shallows...
I would prefer to throw topwater lures...
Anybody have any experience on the musky behavior in Pineview?
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As the perch and crappie move up to spawn... The tigers will follow. I don't think it will be too much longer.
I have also noticed that during the spring the tigers like things a little smaller. That's just my observation. They can still be caught on topwater and large rapalas, but I have done better with smaller spinnerbaits, tube jigs, and smaller rapalas.
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They have a way of humbling people with a lot of confidence.
Last summer I had 3 exceptional Tiger Muskie fishing trips in a row (Thanks MGB!), and I figured that I had learned the secret. My brother, who had never caught one, wanted to get into the action, so I told him what to buy and we planned a trip. I practically guaranteed him a Tiger Muskie. We got shellacked. (That means, "we got skunked").
Here is the secret: Time on the water, time on the water, time on the water!
Randy
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I used to N.ot have E.nough T.ime O.ff to go fishing. Then I retired. Now I have less time than I had before. Sheesh.
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I hear ya NETO. I'm prepared to be patient with them though. Their elusive reputation is what makes me want to give them a shot. Kinda like steelies, you know?
Although I would be dissapointed, I'm aware of the possibilities of catching the skunk...
Hopefully that won't happen though. [cool]
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I agree! Putting in the time is tough (mentally and physically) but it is VERY rewarding when you finally do catch one!
Randy
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I used to N.ot have E.nough T.ime O.ff to go fishing. Then I retired. Now I have less time than I had before. Sheesh.
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Yup... usually it takes a lot of moving around and many casts.... but it sure is nice when you hook into one.
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Hey Canadian, It's a good year to be a cougar fan!
I also used to spend quite a bit of time in Canada (Northern Sasketchewan) fishing for Northerns. Your understanding of the Pike will shorten your learning curve on the Tigers. I have not fished alot for them but I have been fortunate to catch at least one each time up. If casting in the bays and flats in unsuccesfull or the power squad ruins the day I have been successfull trolling the narrows.
I hope to spend more time at Pineview this year I have a brown 19' crestliner.
tight lines
Daniel
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Yes, I will agree that it's been a GREAT year to be Cougar Fan! [ ]
That's good to hear. I'm kinda relying on my experience with Northerns to somewhat transfer over to the Muskies. Obviously the tackle is extremely similar, and from what I've been told, their behavior is very similar, except they are a bit harder to fool than the Northerns.
I just plan on really focusing on my presentation, and moving a lot on the water till I find them. I've got an inflatable canoe, which is great for the "stealth mode" approach. I can sneak into any bay without ever even making a noise. [cool]
Besides the Muskies you've caught trolling the narrows, were the others back in the shallower bays? I'm sure mid-summer they move deeper like Pike tend to. Looking at aerial maps of Pineview, there looks to be some great fingers that seem ideal for such an ambushing predator to be hanging out after ice-off.
Unless I hear better advice from any of you, I'm planning on fishing probably that North western finger of the lake where there looks to be some good structure. According to Flycasting, it'll still be a while before they move up into the shallower water.
I'm all ears to any suggestions you might have. You can PM, or email me, or simply post here, whichever you prefer.
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[cool]I would send MGB, Old Coot, or Nomoose (is he still even around anymore??) a p.m. Those guys know how to get into them at Pineview...Good luck, dude. I hope to chase some this summer my own self if things go well for me to buy some heavier set-ups...
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When the perch start to spawn, you'll start seeing tigers in more shallow water... That really shouldn't be too long at all. Perch have been known to spawn under the ice even.
I would say give it a week or 2, and they'll start showing up shallow. In the mean time (if you can find enough open water) fish some deep diving cranks or jigs, and you can still get into them. [  ]
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Canadian-
The northern arm has some really good structure, I have not fished that area too much. I think LH2 fished it early last year (april) with topwaters with some good success.
I am no expert, but you may find better success off the middle fork arm. This is the main channel with deeper water with some very good shallow structure off of cemetery point and browning point.
I may be headed up tomorrow with my boys!!! I will leave a report
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Jackfisher,
Hey thanks! Good luck with the boys! Can't wait till mine are old enough to take em' fishing. Then the wife can never complain when I'm out each weekend, right? Cause I'm spending time with the family...
Let me know how you do.
Good luck!
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I did fish it last year with minimal success. Some smallies but no tigers to "speak" of. I stay more toward middle inlet and spring creek. It is all about presentation with the topwater as far as i am concerned. Location is a big deal but the technique is the player.[cool]
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I also have decided to target Tigers this again this year after only taking 2 trips last year with no success. I cannot rely on my Upstate NY and St Lawrance River methods because we used to soak live 10" golden shiners and suckers for them. Deadly.
My question is what is the best release method and do you change any of the multiple hooks to singles (on big lures) to make release faster and safer. Do I need one of those trough things or is a "Bogga" type tool ok.
I know I'll catch one this year and I want to be able to release it unharmed. What is the best holding position for photo's?
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Fish Wisconsin is pretty active in educating how to properly release these beutiful fish. I quote from some of his posts:
|[size 1]Everyone deserves a photograph of a prized catch. Just be responsible when you lift the fish out of the net. Before the muskie is lifted, make sure the camera and photographer are ready. Lift the fish while supporting its’ midsection. Hold the muskie in a horizontal position while supporting its belly. DO NOT hold the fish in a vertical position. The weight of a muskie hanging in this position will create a problem with the bone structure behind the head and it may not survive. DO NOT drop the fish onto the floor of the boat, keep a firm grasp and hold on tight. Return the fish into the water and hold it by the tail, move the muskie back and forth allowing water to pass through the gills. A wiggle of the tail will help "jump start" the fish into swimming away.
If your released fish has a problem going deeper or won’t swim away, recapture it by the tail and run your hand from the rear of the fish towards the throat area, while pushing into the fishes belly. This will push any air out of the fish allowing the muskie to dive.
Try to release a muskie into a shallow water area. The deep areas will only hurt the fish as it tries to get away from danger quickly. The shallow areas will let the fish adjust easier to the environment. Safety is the key when handling muskies, watch out for teeth and hooks, and come home with a photo and good memories of a day after the "lunge". [/size]
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Go do a little archiving for last june under Petty4life or Lunkerhunter2(pineview tigers or something like that) and you will see some good pics of how to photo op them.[ ] Maybe jason can post a couple toi this thread. I don't quite know how.
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[inline brodylargemusky.jpg]
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[inline jasonsmallmusky.jpg]
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