Sub Zero Musky?

[mike rousseau]

I think I'm gunna give musky a shot this week before it closes....

 

I never really target musky this late in the season.... Usually all my energy this time of year goes into walleye fishing..... Now I KNOW a few spots that are holding musky.... I'm just not sure how to get em to bite this late in the year...

 

I've got under 40 degree water temps....

 

Now I know most say go big... But I've boated 10 nice musky in the last few weeks while trolling 3.5 inch baits for walleye.... So this is where I second guess what I've read....

 

Anyways...

 

I was thinking trolling 10-14 inch baits at around 2.5 mph....

 

And/or

 

Jig some plastics....

 

Are there any tips/tricks you guys feel like sharing....?

 

Thanks

 

Mike...

[lew]

I'd hit those good spots Mike and start big & slow and see what happens. You don't always need real big in cold water but it's a good starting point.

 

Change things up and see what pattern you come up with.

 

And if I hadn't left my Christmas shopping so darned late I'd come join you

[Handlebarz]

Mike down here our Muskie love small baits all year long but this time of year once the water temperature is below 40° i change my program totally I only run 10 inch baits and speeds of 2 miles an hour to 2.8 mile hour max.

 

Don't be afraid to try jigging bulldogs or Bondy Baits they are awesome also I know fish still bite on small stuff like you said 3 1/2 inches but majority of the big fish will eat large slow-moving easy meals as they are only trying to fatten up at this time of year they will not waste a lot Of energy chasing down meal giver Hell there I can't wait for the reports good luck.

[Rizzo]

personally, when the water gets real cold I like to jig big plastics in deep water. Trolling/banging bottom is just too frustrating for me...I always second guess whether my lure is clean so I'm forever checking it. I jig with a big bait where the hooks are on top so no fouling issues. Plus, you can band bottom continually, stirring up a bit of a ruckus.

[Squid]

Thursday is a NEW moon which is a great time to be out fishing!! Looks like Thursday for me with Saturday sprinkled in for good measure

[mike rousseau]

I have the following to try jigging... Bondy bait... Bulldogs.... Tubes... Giant kalins.... And a fuzzy duzzit..... I was gunna lean on the bondy bait for jigging....

 

As far as trolling... Ill probably bounce between stalkers, believers and jakes and 13 inch grandmas.... Lures I trust and that have out performed in most situations.... I'm hoping to get 1 or 2 people to join me for the extra lines for finding the pattern.....

[ecmilley]

i ve caught more muskies in the fall pulling worm harness at 1 mph than every muskie bait i own at any other speed, but usually fishing for eyes

[Rich]

Sucker under a float ...

[Fisherpete]

PM sent Mike

Edited December 11, 2012 by Fisherpete

[darsky]

cast bd's

[mike rousseau]

Sucker under a float ...

That's my normal go too in fall but I have no suckers and none of the shops have any either....

[Rich]

I am spoiled to have suckers and chub minnows to 12" in the creek out back year round! Lol. Ill ship you a bag of frozen ones? Lol... Maybe sardines from the grocery store? They sure work for big cold water pike..