OK guys ok I need to rant. I've only managed to get out 3 time this year on Budd lake and my outings only last about 2 hrs cause I'm by myself and have back problems. I've yet to even see a fish and I've throw everything in my tackle box. I got no idea what I'm doing wrong. In I could move fish I would know the presentation was good but I'm getting to the point I just want to throw bucktails cause it's the only thing I trust. Budd lake is about an hour from me so I'm going to switch things up and fish below the sanford dam and sanford lake. Just hoping for pike lol [smilie=brickwall.gif]
You can do everything right and still not see or catch fish. All fish have one or two times a day when they MAY become active and during that activity period, you MAY catch them. But the majority of the time, the right presentation in the correct place will get zero results. I used to catch a lot more fish when younger, because I put more time on the water. Now that I'm no longer young, a good day is about half the time it used to be. And my results have suffered.
If due to physical issues, you can only be on the water a limited time, try being there at dawn or dusk. Again, that may not solve your lack of fish activity, but you should have higher odds in those key times. Stay at it. It's easy to lose confidence and we've all been there.
Charlie
Joel – Unfortunately, the frustration is just part of the game. In spring on Budd you only need a couple of lures, a 6-8" twitch bait of some type and a 6-8" glider. Fish the glider shallow in 1-6', the twitch bait can cover the same water but is better when the fish move out to the first breakline. Success in spring is often dictated by presentation, you can be fishing the right bait the wrong way and never see a fish.
Some lure options:
Glider – 6" reef hawg, hellhound, 6" phantom
Twitch – Moski Lilly Hammer, Big Game 7", Bucher Shallow Raider
Water temps are now going to be nearing the end of spring and you won't be wrong throwing bucktails.
To quote one of the most experienced and successful musky fishermen ever- Muskies Suck. We all go through it, and I hate to say it but most of us will struggle for much longer stretches even, but never mind that! luck will eventually turn your way and probably sooner rather than later thanks to the help from the many good sticks here.
Now that spring is giving way to more like summer, the fish should be getting less persnickety and a little more predictable. Low light, especially evening, and Good weather will get fish hungry somewhere in the lake. The best spots and points might have a fish move up on them at any time. Line up as many positive factors as you can to up the odds.
But of course they are still muskies, which means they still suck… until they don't. Then they have a way of making it all worthwhile [smilie=cheers2.gif]
Joel, don't beat yourself up over it. Long days and no fish is all part of the game. I just took 4 days of vacation and spent the last week fishing some new lakes in the UP and did not catch a thing except for a sun burn. Keep at it and you will be rewarded if you are persistent enough. It can get frustrating at times but that just makes it that much more fulfilling when it finally pays off.
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