bigcreekdad Posted May 18, 2008 Report Share Posted May 18, 2008 I generally stick to smaller crankbaits and bucktails at beginning of season. I typically don't start topwater till mid season. Going to fish opening week on French River this year. Has anyone had any cnsistent success using topwaters early on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 tone z71 Posted May 18, 2008 Report Share Posted May 18, 2008 im by no means a Muskie expert,but last season I caught all 5 of my Muskies on top water,my dad on the other hand fishes the depths opposite me and I got way more strikes hope it helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted May 18, 2008 Report Share Posted May 18, 2008 I'll be throwing Magnum Zara Spooks and some TopRaiders for the early opener on the French I'm a complete muskie newb, but from what I've read in books and online, early in the season is the time to be throwing topwater. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky or Specks Posted May 18, 2008 Report Share Posted May 18, 2008 Ive caught plenty of fish on the opener on JackPots and Docs. The only two types of baits I really use that week are topwaters and bulging bucktails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bucktail Posted May 18, 2008 Report Share Posted May 18, 2008 Might be a little slow this year starting out on Topwaters, the water is very cold this year, hopefully we get some heat and the fish become more active. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outllaw Posted May 19, 2008 Report Share Posted May 19, 2008 smaller cranks up high work best here on st clair. remember warmer water outflows like creeks opening to main lake is a choice to look at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazyhook Posted May 19, 2008 Report Share Posted May 19, 2008 I have moved fish on the open on topwaters for sure... never a bad time to throw them... fish eat them from opener to mid november! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehg Posted May 19, 2008 Report Share Posted May 19, 2008 As is mentioned above, topwaters get a strike most of the season(except when real cold). The problem is the low hooking % with musky on topwaters. I('ll go shallow with bucktails to hook them. ehg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky or Specks Posted May 19, 2008 Report Share Posted May 19, 2008 Yes god knows Im lucky if I hook up 25% of the time on topwaters. Sure gets the heart going though!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F7Firecat Posted May 19, 2008 Report Share Posted May 19, 2008 You can go with topwaters no problem, got one last year on opener on a super topraider. From what I hear the water is still a lilttle cold, muskies will still hit it. Being cold water, then they may be still shallow and close to their spawning areas makinga topwater a great choice to throw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigeontroller Posted May 20, 2008 Report Share Posted May 20, 2008 (edited) If there are young of the year water fowl swimming, its Top-water time! Edited May 20, 2008 by Pigeontroller Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted May 20, 2008 Report Share Posted May 20, 2008 Only time I ever raised a musky with a topwater bait (that wasn't under 30 inches" was on opening day 2 years ago. And man was it ever big. I'll be doing a lot more of that this opener! God I can't wait. Cats and carp are great, but musky are where it's at! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squid Posted May 20, 2008 Report Share Posted May 20, 2008 I generally stick to smaller crankbaits and bucktails at beginning of season. I typically don't start topwater till mid season. Going to fish opening week on French River this year. Has anyone had any cnsistent success using topwaters early on? Where are you going to fish ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted May 20, 2008 Report Share Posted May 20, 2008 I'll be throwing topwaters + bucktails on the French for the June 7th opener... And probably every other new bait I've purchased in the last 6 months Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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