Another fishing season is done, have had some time to reflect.
I think 2013 may have been my most enjoyable season yet.
Only saw a dozen fish hit the net between myself and boat partners… a down year.
Highlights: 1. A week on the Upper French with Adam Minnick.. Wow, what a beautiful place to fish. Great scenery and a chance at a world class fish. Some big fish located, and messed up my chance at glory. Cannot wait to get back. 2. 5 days on the Upper Chain, my annual spring ritual. Tough fishing, only 2 small fish, but I cherish time on that water. 3. Joe Bednar putting me on my PB, a 49" LSC beauty. Thanks Joe.
How was everybody else's year?
It was a good year on the water for me but with dismal results in terms of boating fish per hour. This was the first year I have not kept track of hours or total fish boated. My hours were probably similar to recent years, but the fish caught was cut at least in half. Last year I boated 59, this year looking back I don't think I landed more than maybe 2 dozen, with not nearly as many big fish.
Highlights:
-I was fortunate enough to pick up one inland lake 50", on a figure eight and got it on the GoPro so that was a bonus.
-Catching two Ovid fish on topwater in my first 30min ever fishing the lake. Even better my brother in law who has never musky fished was with me and got to witness an impressive figure 8 eight topwater strike.
-I finally got into night fishing and had very good results for the amount of time invested. Blind figure 8 strikes at night may be the coolest thing I've ever experienced. I have the sleep habits of an old man however and love being up early in the morning and going to bed early so I will probably never be a full blown night fisherman.
-Fishing LSC for the first time thanks to Mayhem. We got our a$$es kicked by wind and waves all day, but a fun trip nonetheless. I already have time off for the first week of open season out there although I'm more worried than ever about taking a boat the size of mine.
Lowlights:
-Many, many, many lost fish, too many to even try to recollect including a brute that I had been chasing all fall.
-Going 11 trips into the season before finally boating my first fish.
-Getting my truck and trailer buried in the sand at the "launch" on Oster. Luckily my buddy had family that was close by and pulled me out.
-My favorite two patches of cabbage being decimated after the yearly spraying on Bankson. They were just starting to get good and after that spray I never saw another fish in either of those two spots all year.
I had a fun year for sure. Was fortunate enough to boat 20 fish myself with about 10 more in the net by others in my boat. 2 first muskies in my boat this year, both were incredibly exciting moments despite not being big fish. No big fish this year for me and still no 50"er, that's something I need to change for next year. Coolest thing in 2013 since I love exploring new water was I got to fish 11 different Michigan muskie waters and contacted at least one fish on all 11. With all the new Michigan muskie water coming in the future I will have plenty to keep myself entertained.
Like Ryan I started 2013 in a horrible slump and it took me close to 60 hours to boat my first fish in 2013, that was frustrating and hopefully something that doesn't happen again in 2014!
Pretty good year fish per hour wise. Not nearly as many hours on the water that I've been able to in past years. With more kids, and them getting older, time on the water was tough to come by. I think I maybe hit the water after work less than 5 times, compared to once a week like I used to years ago.
Highlights were getting Amy on a couple fish this year, and catching a decent upper chain fish my first time on it thanks to Chris Musselman. Also, helping my sister to achieve what seems like "the impossible" of landing a 50" Murray fish.
It was a very weird fishing season for me. Started off good with a couple fish and lots of action for the inland opener. Then did ok on Lsc the first few times out. Started coaching my sons baseball team and that severely limited my time on the water but managed to finish third in an Momc tourney with my trolling buddy. Also took my friend Larry out hoping to help him get his first muskie. He did-55". That's how the first 2/3's of the season went, and nothing exciting happened for me in the final 1/3 except for aquiring my new (to me) boat, which I'm very excited to get to use next season after straightening a few things out with it. Numbers wise, I was slightly better than last year but I credit that to the amount of trolling that I did. Spring can't get here soon enough!
A decent season with numbers into the low 20s, but lots and lots of hours into that too. Big slump on Thorn this fall but a better spring there. Season best was 47. Diane was good to me, thankfully since I sucked on my very few visits to other lakes such as Austin and Murray. Next fall I need to not be too stubborn to try suckers (or too lazy to go get them).
6 times out were with 6 different fellow MMA faithful, thoroughly enjoyed each of those outings with 4 of them getting fish in the net, and two of them with multiple fish. I was tremendously pumped to net the PB of Scott W., he totally earned that brute and since I thought that fish had the giant head of something even way bigger than she already was, I was a panicked mess and almost botched the net job. Very memorable. Chris A. getting the winning Bruce fish with me had me hyped too, and Detroithardcore kicking butt on our 4-fish day (he got 3 of them) on a spring Thorn visit was extra exciting too.
All in all it was a good year. I got to fish with 6 different club members, and took part in most of the outings. One of my goals this year was to fish some different water, I managed 8 new lakes and 3 new stretches of river. The highlight of my year was probably the trip to the Tahq with Matt that included a spur of the moment trip to munuscong. The downer to the season was breaking every muskie rod I own. It started before the season opened with my new custom walleye jigging rod (my fault) then my beat to hell gander muskie rod it was my first one and abused (also my fault) after that my okuma rod broke (not my fault) then my TI rod found a boat cleat ( I'll call that one a draw) and finely my new 10 weight exploded on a hook set during salmon camp (I wasn't using it) I had only thrown muskie flies for 6 hours or so. All the rods but the gander rod is under warranty but it was still a pain in the arse. I'm looking forward to next year hopefully fishing with new people and more lakes. I really hope we do the upper chain outing again that was a great time.
I had a much better year than last as far as fish/hour… but then anything was better than that! I started out the year in a new ride and on the lower chain… two of my favorite things. I got to fish with family a lot more, which was a goal of mine, and also 3 or 4 members I hadn't fished with. We also added a future fishing buddy to the family, which is part of the reason for the drastically reduced hours on the water. I was able to help set up the Upper Chain outing which turned out with a lot more guys than I thought would be able to make it, so thanks all for coming up. Hopefully we can do it again soon! All in all, I caught fish in 2 lakes on the upper chain I hadn't caught fish on, and had success more than 50% of the time on Murray, including a PB by girth, same length as the previous, on my last trip out. She was just the bit of encouragement I needed to be optimistic about next year!
ON a technical note, I was happy that I was able to convert fish away from the boat this year, compared to the swings and misses of the year before. A little more encouragement for the upcoming season.
Some other goals I had were to hold a 30" brown trout, and to catch my nemesis brown by the family cabin. I held the brown trout on a trip to the Jurassic park (Manistee) tho I didn't catch it, many over two feet hit the nets this year. ANd I hooked my nemesis… again… this time with 20 lb flouro leader on an 8 wt. and I had no chance. Maybe next year?!?!
My season started off great with a fish on opening weekend and 5 fish in the first month and a half which may not sound all that great but considering I did not catch my first fish last year until August, I was more than thrilled with that start. After the great start things slowed down considerably and I had a hard time finding time to fish. My season ended horribly with no fish landed in the last 4 month of the year and a sickening streak of lost fish and missed opportunities that have haunted me in my sleep. Sadly this year ended early with the ice coming much earlier than last year and I was not able to get out on the water at all in December which was very disappointing. In general, I was not able to fish near as much this year as I had in past years. I set some much higher goals this year assuming I would be able to fish more than I was able to but I fell short of most of them.
In the end, I caught the same amount of fish this year as I caught last year which was not what I was hoping for but this year’s fish were caught in less than half of the time spent on the water as last year’s fish caught. So, looking on the positive side, I can be happy with my improved efficiency on the water this year. I can also say I had many, many more opportunities this year than I had last year and I just failed on too many of them. So there is definitely a lot of improvement to be had and every failure taught me something new about these fish (at least I think it did).
Some highlights to this year:
-Seeing the final stocking numbers this year. The future looks very bright for Michigan muskies.
-Caught my first Thorn fish, in what is now my new "home" lake after moving to the Hastings area back in May. I also learned quite a bit about that lake this year and although I only landed one fish out there, I had a lot more action out there this year than I ever had before. Also, was able to get out with Joe, the Thorn-master himself, and learned a lot from him. I enjoyed watching him slay pike after pike after pike that day. I think he went double digits in pike on the day and had 8 fish in less than 1 hour time. Thanks for letting me tag along Joe.
-As Adam also mentioned, making a last minute decision to leave the Tahq for a day and spend the last day of our UP trip on Munuscong was definitely a highlight of the year. It was a goal of mine this year to get out there and I am glad we gave it a shot. We would have had no idea what we were doing out there if it weren’t for some advice from Duke so thanks to him for helping us out. Moved 2 nice sized big water fish out there, which to me was an accomplishment of its own, on such big, new water like that. So even though we did not hook any I would consider that trip a success and I will be going back soon I hope. Also, fished some new stretches of the river, which is always a fun adventure.
Lowlights:
-Losing what would have been my first upper chain fish at the outing, and a good sized one too. Watching it turn broadside 8-10’ from the boat as the bait popped out of its mouth and slowly swim away has been a reoccurring theme in my dreams/nightmares for months since.
-Fished my favorite lake, Skegemog, just once all year. Real life made it real hard to get up there this year which was real frustrating and disappointing. Made one last ditch effort to get up there in late November but it was just too late and we made the smart and safe decision to go elsewhere in the 18 degree, 30-40mph wind conditions. Skeg would have been suicide that day.
-No December fishing was a sad way to end the year…
Limited season compared to last few years and boat put away in October.
-33 fish casting on LSC but nothing big to brag about
-Lost a few giants that are still haunting me to this day
Real highlights were again casting the Everglades for Fall Adult Tarpon. Hooked, fought and landed a 155#er and a 135#er. Also hooked and fought a true beast at 185# but lost her boatside with an amazing jump spitting a Bomber Magnum Long A. Last cast of trip I hooked another 170#er that cracked a Bomber Magnum Long A in half taking the split ring and treble hook with her.
Fought several Blacktip Sharks landed a 5-6' 130# Blacktip with no steel and 80# Fluorocarbon Leader.
Needless to say my Muskie hours continue to decrease and my salt/sweetwater hours continue to grow. I'll be back in the Glades in March.
I was pretty happy with how things shook out this year, not my best but far from my worst numbers wise. My total hours on the water were reduced for a second year in a row with my home waters of Sanford pretty much killing my evening musky fishing for July well into August with hot water. Nevertheless, the hours I put in on other bodies of water paid off pretty well with the exception of the Antrim Chain lakes which continue to kick my behind. LSC can be unforgiving but she was good to me (including a 51 (Nov.) and a 52 (July)) right up until the last trip where she took her revenge. I finished the year with 26 hitting the net for me personally, two over 50 and one a hair over 49 were the the big girls this year.
Highlights were breaking in my new 621, the two big girls on LSC and my second trip up to the Upper French and Lake Nippising–I went 8 for 11 in 9 days on the water with 49 being the biggest and only one fish under 40 inches with many other follows). I also had a real monster follow into the 8 at boatside but I couldn't get her to go nor did I raise her again—I still see her in my dreams. I fished that trip alone and without the help of a guide. I was consistently on fish all week and am really starting to get a nice milk run put together for the time of year that I typically go up there.
Lowlights, I was chasing Jason Vandekopple in the MI Mens Division all year and came up 6 points short with Jason currntly in 53rd place and me at 54 as of right now. I thought for sure I would pull away on December 5 and 6 fishing with Spencer on LSC but Spencer netted the only two fish (nothing real big) we got to go in the last two days Spencer was on the water which were not exactly ideal weather days. When you have to swap reels out every 20 minutes to defrost them next to a propane heater to keep fishing you know that you have lost the last ounce of any sense a human being should have been born with.
While I have much to learn as a Musky addict, my skill set and confidence continues to improve year over year. Not sure I can ask for anything more.
Haha I caught 4 fish this season and I got out fished by a girl. Absolutely horrible in regards to fish in the net for myself but lots of fun trips and fish hitting the net for others in my boat. The worst is all of the lost fish myself.
Highlights
– Watching Jim catch a nice chain fish.
– An absolutely amazing indiana trip with hundreds of muskies sighted and a fat one hitting the net.
– First time fishing St. Clair with lots of action which included getting to watch Molly catch a nice fish on a molly twitch bait.
Lowlights
– Missing a fish in the Ovid tourney then breaking down on the side of the freeway. Thank god for Adam saving my ass. I forgot to buy him a beer at the lure swap, dont worry buddy I'll make up for it at the banquet
– Losing my PB on the upper chain head thrashing boatside.
My recap…. Won't sound as good as others… But my first year so back off!!! I'm on edge my huskers finished low and my lions are still doing their thing.. I caught my first 3 muskies off of thorn and my only 3 of the year but my favorite year of fishing by far! I've never had such a challenge and reaped minimal rewards for my work and bragged as much about it! The hours huge. The numbers small, but I wouldn't rewind it for any changes. I still do not know the length of my bigger fish but it does not matter. I love showing my fish off and telling people that the fish swam off. Also, how much of a challenge muskie fishing is and how well versed the members of this club are, but more importantly how open everyone is and willing to help me out.
I might of quit on Muskie fishing or stuck with it without this club I don't know. But I do know now, I won't ever kill one purposely. Too much work goes into the future of this fishery and big breeders are the future. I now target all fish species differently and plan for the future. Everyone reading this take a moment for me and pat your own back. I haven't met a member yet that doesn't truly care for the sport and I am so excited for next year… Real quick.. What should my fish goal be for next year??? I gotta go double digits and I want one over 50… My goals…. what are all of yours???
Special thanks to mike and Michelle.. The hour or so I spent talking… Sank the hook baby! I'll be at your garage in the spring like it or not!!!! [smilie=attention.gif]
"bails" said:
What should my fish goal be for next year??? I gotta go double digits and I want one over 50… My goals…. what are all of yours???
Your goals are whatever you want! 50's are tough to come by unless you hit LSC. You really want one, make the trip out there. Get a hold of either Chris Mahan <url url="[Permission to view this media is denied]
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or Spencer Berman <url url="[Permission to view this media is denied]
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Some have gone a long time without a 50. Others, get them their first day.
"Jim tenHaaf" said:
[quote="bails"]What should my fish goal be for next year??? I gotta go double digits and I want one over 50… My goals…. what are all of yours???
Your goals are whatever you want! 50's are tough to come by unless you hit LSC. You really want one, make the trip out there. Get a hold of either Chris Mahan <url url="[Permission to view this media is denied]
">[Permission to view this media is denied]
or Spencer Berman <url url="[Permission to view this media is denied]
">[Permission to view this media is denied]
Some have gone a long time without a 50. Others, get them their first day.
Yup, like 9 years now without. Close but no cigar.
Fun year in my boat with lots of first muskies, a few PB's, a couple first 50's and a ton of fun. I was in the boat for roughly 875 hours and averaged one fish about every 6.5 hours. The highlight for the year, of course, the giant that Tyler caught up north. Was fortunate to spend time in the boat with a bunch of great people this year and hope for more of the same in 2014.
My highlight wasn't a fishing one, but was defiantley the birth of our daughter in Dec. last year. it made it very difficult for any significant time on the water this year. Im hoping in 2014 I have more time, because the older kids get, the more free time you have…………right?
Im with Kingfisher, here's to 2014 [smilie=cheers2.gif]
Brent
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