mike rousseau Posted December 10, 2012 Report Share Posted December 10, 2012 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... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted December 10, 2012 Report Share Posted December 10, 2012 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Handlebarz Posted December 10, 2012 Report Share Posted December 10, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rizzo Posted December 10, 2012 Report Share Posted December 10, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squid Posted December 10, 2012 Report Share Posted December 10, 2012 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike rousseau Posted December 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2012 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..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecmilley Posted December 10, 2012 Report Share Posted December 10, 2012 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted December 11, 2012 Report Share Posted December 11, 2012 Sucker under a float ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherpete Posted December 11, 2012 Report Share Posted December 11, 2012 (edited) PM sent Mike Edited December 11, 2012 by Fisherpete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darsky Posted December 11, 2012 Report Share Posted December 11, 2012 cast bd's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike rousseau Posted December 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2012 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.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted December 11, 2012 Report Share Posted December 11, 2012 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.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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