Hey Smada,
I once went something like 256 hours without a legal fish. That was in Wisconsin back in the 1970's when there was no stocking and almost all the fish were being kept at 30 inches by the general populace. But I admit, I am not proud of that streak. And yet I still fish muskies because I love to cast, work the baits, and get out on the water. I am not sure I would fish for muskies if it meant trolling.
I love to see the fish follow; they are such a completely unique fish that the behavior keeps me coming back. In SW Michigan, you will sooner or later connect and bring one to the net. It will happen. If you look at the lakes in this area that are tough on the attitude, I have the toughest time with Bankson, and the second toughest time with Thornapple, although Thorn has some good year-classes coming through right now that make it a pretty good bet. Long near Three Rivers is tough but it is such a pretty lake that it doesn't bother me too much to draw a blank down there.
Sometimes I switch species for a day or two but the unique behavior of the muskie draws me back every time. You also have to understand that the game is between you and the fish and not between you and another angler. Good luck!
Ha Ha Ha , I am sorry to laugh but you brought this on your self. Where to start? I have been chasing Muskies since 1996. I was even a guide for a while and did pretty well.
Bankson is a lake that gets pounded over and over and over again by the same people and no one gets it. The numbers are just not there anymore because of locals on the lake killing them. Are there still several docks with rod holders on them? These guys will put out set lines with suckers on them over night. There are also a few guys from out of state that were taking a lot fish out of Bankson. Many of the people on that lake hate the Muskies in there and kill everyone they catch regardless of size. What you need to do is walk away from that lake and take a trip to another lake that you have not ever fished before. This will bring the excitement back into the game . Get a map of say Murray or Campau or Austin. Mark a bunch of spots and go fish them. Michelle and I went 5 days in cold rain and high winds for two bites september of 2007 . One of them was a 51.5 inch fish. You see that is the game isnt it? It was this reason that drew you to the sport. The shot at a monster. Just the fact that you caught one on march 15th was a feat to be proud of. I caught three that day. I was flying high. 😀 I got skunked the next time on that lake and had my wife with me who is an excellent Musky fisher.
You sound like you need a new lake and one with higher numbers in it. I have fished the highest numbers lakes in the world and can tell you its not all that its cracked up to be. On Fluke Lake in Ontario we caught 104 Muskies in 9.5 days. 17 in one day and 15 of those in 2 hours. All between 30 and 38 inches long. That was it small skinny fish just like Bankson only the numbers were there. It used to be on Bankson where you would see 20 a day all snakes about 32 inches long. Its probably better that the numbers are down in there so the few that are left will get big and fat. Today I try to balance size with numbers or just go for size. I am prepared every time I go to end up with zero in the net. Thats Musky Fishing. If you would like the names of some good numbers lakes call me. 231-821-9020 Mike and Michelle
I think you need a change. Maybe a different lake, maybe the way you fish. Do something totally different in the way you fish. Do you find yourself always casting a bucktail over the dropoff and reeling it in? Maybe try to move in to the inside weedline. Or maybe try throwing a depthraider or DDD up to the dropoff, then cranking it down. I remember I used to fish when/where it was comfortable for ME. I used to always pick the glass calm side of the lake vs. the windblown stuff. I would still have some follows, and they were easy to see in the calm water. But when I changed to the windy side, I would get bites. A bright sunny day is comfortable to fish in, but you'll probably get more action on a windy, overcast day. If you prefer white and black lures, try red, chartreuse, and orange.
thanks for the advice. I actually fish Austin quite a bit, although I have been stuck in a Bankson rut since my run in with the Hog I couldn't get in the net. The thing that keeps me coming back to Bankson is that I have seen a couple fish in there that put to shame anything I have seen in Austin. Bankson may not have numbers but it does have a few scary big fish. I think I'll try Austin tomorrow though.
I would LOVE to try Murray, Campau, Thorn, I just dont really have the greatest boat for traveling at the moment. If anyone ever has an opening and needs someone to net their fish let me know, I'd love to learn first hand from someone with some experience in the game.
Hey Smada,
Ain't muskie fishin fun.
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"Smada962" said:
I would LOVE to try Murray, Campau, Thorn, I just dont really have the greatest boat for traveling at the moment. If anyone ever has an opening and needs someone to net their fish let me know, I'd love to learn first hand from someone with some experience in the game.
I will be posting some new "Guide for a Day" listings soon. There will be trips to Murray, Campau, Thorn, Ovid, and a few others in there. Get out your pocketbook! [smilie=2thumbsup.gif]
I've put in about the same hours this year with only 2 small fish in the net… and NO BIG FISH LOST. If that fish made the net… your season would have already been a success, even without another catch all year.
That is just muskie fishing!!!! Ain't it great??? [smilie=brickwall.gif] [smilie=brickwall.gif]
To add to Jim's post about fishing the uncomfortable side of a lake…get yourself a driftsock and work on boat control. You might be doing this already, but I found getting relatively good at controlling my boat made the fishing part a lot easier. A drift sock is a great addition to helping you fish the windy side. I can wind up in a cluster with a fish on…my two cents…I think the comments on speed can be helpful as well. Good Luck!
Oooo, Kingfisher you know your stuff but I have to comment on Bankson because I'm one of those "same people".
I've lived within 10 miles of Bankson for like 20 years. I've fished it day and night, even boated a decent one on a 4'th of July with all the fireworks going off.
I've never, ever seen residents with rods in holders on the docks.
Three years ago I came in second place in the MuskieFirst Match Fishing deal, fishing by myself on Bankson. I think I boated 18 there that year, most were upper 30"s and maybe three between 40" and 44". I know there's still at least one 50"+ beastie there, too, saw her twice last year. The lake has some really big walleye, too, though there's so much forage it's hard to get them out of the weeds until fall when they school in open water to hold baitfish against steep drops.
Bankson pressure dropped way off about 12 years ago when local lake levels droppped. The concrete landing was totally dry. All of a sudden, guys with big boats where getting trucks stuck in the holes they created previously when power loading up the trailers. That kept lots of people away. Webster helped reduce fishing pressure, too.
Bankson still has some potential but I agree it is tricky and there are better lakes. For me, on Bankson it's best night fishing with a big black/silver spinner bait like a Raddog. Trolling DDDs and 10" jakes are good night bets. (Weekend boating brings up lots of weeds though.) During daylight hours suicks move fish there, as do gliders.
Hope that's helpful.
"Ranger" said:
Oooo, Kingfisher you know your stuff but I have to comment on Bankson because I'm one of those "same people".I've lived within 10 miles of Bankson for like 20 years. I've fished it day and night, even boated a decent one on a 4'th of July with all the fireworks going off.
I've never, ever seen residents with rods in holders on the docks.
Three years ago I came in second place in the MuskieFirst Match Fishing deal, fishing by myself on Bankson. I think I boated 18 there that year, most were upper 30"s and maybe three between 40" and 44". I know there's still at least one 50"+ beastie there, too, saw her twice last year. The lake has some really big walleye, too, though there's so much forage it's hard to get them out of the weeds until fall when they school in open water to hold baitfish against steep drops.
Bankson pressure dropped way off about 12 years ago when local lake levels droppped. The concrete landing was totally dry. All of a sudden, guys with big boats where getting trucks stuck in the holes they created previously when power loading up the trailers. That kept lots of people away. Webster helped reduce fishing pressure, too.
Bankson still has some potential but I agree it is tricky and there are better lakes. For me, on Bankson it's best night fishing with a big black/silver spinner bait like a Raddog. Trolling DDDs and 10" jakes are good night bets. (Weekend boating brings up lots of weeds though.) During daylight hours suicks move fish there, as do gliders.
Hope that's helpful.
Maybe not any more(rod holders on the docks) My self and another guy who I will leave his name out of it turned in one such lake front owner. He had a rod out all night set in a holder on his dock right beside his boat. The other guy had the rod on his boat not his dock. I was being sarcastic to a point. We both know there was a lot of harvest going on at Bankson back when the lake was shallow. I talked to several guys at the launch that had one in thier boat. It was only 36" I didnt have a cell phone at the time you know? I would have turned so sobs in right then and there. But this was way back in the day you know? I am sure you met those boys from Ohio who floated around with suckers out for 7 days straight every year for a long time. I caught those guys with set lines out at night as well. I watched the lake fall off in production to a point where I dont bother with it any more. You are lucky though to be able to have any musky lake close to home. My closest one is now Hamlin and its an hour away. I am glad to hear the levels are back up. I think we caught like 8 fish there in as many trips including a nice 43 but it was pretty skinny. Its a nice lake ,just too bad the people who live on it are not real fond of them being in there. Mike
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