I also tried to play the weather game this year. Didn't work out to my favor though… Funny thing is, 2 out of the 3 biggest fish I've ever caught were caught during bright, sunny, bluebird days. Days that most guys would look out their window and say, "Nah, I'm not going to waste my time. I'll wait for some cloud cover".
The layoff for me this summer sucked.. I am one that worries enough about injuring or killing a fish during the warm temps, so i didn't go out when i got back from canada in the 2nd wk of july, till Aug 31 i believe.
Think i got 15 with the limited hours on the water this year, 45 was my biggest, and hopefully next year we won't have a layoff on our local lakes cause of the weather.
"finlander" said:
Have you found a wonder drug?? [smilie=bow.gif] PM me its' name. My arthritis in my shoulders has detonated this fall…every move hurts. No casting here.
Just Motrin my friend 😀 . And those rice filled bags that you put in the microwave . W e call them bed buddies. Moist heat works wonders for aching joints. TAKE A TUBE SOCK AND FILL IT WITH WHITE RICE AND TIE OFF THE END. Then microwave on high for 4 minutes. Apply to affected joints along with three 200 milligram Motrin. That is our miracle cure.
We tend to change Lakes when we have weather changes. Cloudy days with that spitting rain and dark skies are the best times to fish clear water. More strikes less spooked fish at boat side. One day we were moving tons of fish on Lower crooked casting but they were spooking from the clear water and bright sun shine. We pulled and went to Thornapple where the water is stained. We caught fish that day. If we always do the same things we always get the same results. Also how many of you guys know that fish tend to be more aggressive after noon when water temps cool into the low 50's ? I used to just skip the mornings at Osterhout in late fall as the bite would always seem to start about 1:00 pm. Mike
Started out the season with a really nice GLS spotted in one of my favorite places. (Yes, that is vague). Between the heat in Michigan and trying to minimize trips before my Canada trip. I found myself not fishing much. After the weather cooled, my work schedule heated up and I still didn't fish much. Better luck next year. See you all soon!
Mark
I'm going to call this the year of missed opportunities. Our second year chasing and we learned a ton.
6 fish total.
45" Skegemog fish with Will was the highlight.
48"+ Murray fish lost in the net was the biggest heartbreak.
36" Thornapple fish was my first muskie!!!
40" Ovid Fish my PB
35" skegemog fish my buddies first on a lure dangling in the water.
Oh and Lake of the Woods trip with 0 fish was biggest DUMPSTER FIRE.
I'm renovating my boat for next year. The one thing I learned is that driving downstate to fish, while exciting just isn't worth it when I have the chain in my back yard. The most beautiful place in the world and the fish (though few and far between) are so worth the wait.
Had a great season when I could get out- unfortunately I missed far more time than usual, was not able to hit all my favorite spots & favorite times, and also mostly missed out on a "hot bite" my partners were enjoying!… so that stunk. Since it doesn't look like I will be doing any more fishing this year, my biggest will be a 46.5" that weighed about half as much as the best fish I hooked… unfortunately that fish did not quite make it all the way to the net. Biggest fish in my boat was a 49" for my oldest brother- his biggest fish ever and one that made my season too! Here's to coming back with a vengeance next year… as best as I can with 3 young children anyway!
I had a pretty fun year musky fishing with a few nice fish boated. Enjoyed fishing a new lake and making some new fishing friends.
Total fish boated – 31 – all casting
Average size – 40.75"
2 fish over 50"…52" and 51"
A couple of 48"'s and a couple of 46"'s from Ovid.
One of the best memories – lost a true MONSTER of a fish as it literally tore the hooks from my bait while thrashing on top in one place. I was leaning back, 70 degree angle, with all of my weight and could not move the fish.
Another great memory – Netting a friends PB that was one of the best looking fish that I have ever seen. A chunk from head to toe. This fish made deep runs, jumped and did just about everything you could ask for for an exciting fight.
Here are some pics from my year.
Longest fish @ 47" on homemade bucktail
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Second biggest fish of the year
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My friend's first muskie
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Another nice fish on a homemade bucktail
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