Kevin Van Dam Forums

I have fished for pike quite a few times, but mostly bass.  I have a buddy who fishes with me occasionally and he hasn’t seen anything bigger than a 3.5lb bass.  We have a lake that has been stocked and its pretty healthy with musky.  I want to take my buddy out for some big fish.  I know I can get into some eventually but I want to get him into a couple.  Any info on time, bait, cover would be helpful.  I will be fishing Murray Lake ( http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/SPATIALDATALIBRARY/PDF_MAPS/INLAND_LAKE_MAPS/KENT/MURRAY_LAKE.PDF )  I have a book that gives me some info on where to fish on this lake and we will probably be fishing with artificial.  I will use minnows if i have to, and I’m not opposed to trolling. I just want to hook him into some nice musky.  MuskyBob, I could use some help here.

All i can say is fish big baits. You will soon realize why they call them the fish of a thousand casts. I fish for them in lake george in illinois every once in a while. I normally throw this. http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0044012120400a.shtml. I have never hooked into one but would love to. Then again I only fish for them once maybe twice a year.

Here in Illinois I’ve seen a lot of people fishing for muskie using the “big bait, big fish” thought process and honestly I’ve never seen anybody catch one.

On the other hand I have never gone fishing specifically for muskie but I have caught about a dozen - all while bass fishing with normal bass lures - i.e. spinnerbaits, cranks, plastic worms etc…

Here’s a pict of my biggest muskie - this one ate a 1/2oz Bagely Spinnerbait

I have some big 9” musky swimbaits, buzzbaits, inlines, and spinnerbaits.  But I was planning on bringing most of my bass gear as well, like normal 1/2oz spinners and series 6 cranks.

Here in Ontario we use large lures. Everything from nine inch spoons to critters like mice, rats and of course frogs and toads.
When I was a kid we used to visit a musky sanctuary just north of Pigeon Lake outside of Bobcaygeon, Ontario. It is still a sanctuary, but back in my youth our Ministry of Natural Resources had a station there to research the Musky. They would catch the fish and put them in a large swimming pool. Before releasing them, they were tagged with some electrical device that enabled them to be tracked in the waterways. It was really cool to see such big fish and actually see them swimming in the lake and creek. It was as if the Musky knew you couldn’t fish for them.

I visited the area last fall and sure enough I saw a Musky swim under the bridge. So cool.

Sorry about the reminiscing and I hope you have a great trip.

Cheers

I saw Larry Dahlberg using a cowgirl double blade.  He liked them a lot.

Larry is always using either a DCG or a crankbait/jerkbait. He said his favorite lure is the DCG on one episode.

I started Musky fishing last year and caught two on my first day.  The best advice I got was to really labor at the figure -8.  It matters very little what sort of lure you use.  Double cowgirls are real popular and any of the big spinners work well.  My guide said that over 80% of the muskys his clients land, strike during the figure 8.  KEEP AT IT!!! I can’t wait to see how you do.  Check out one of my catches at http://www.spinnerbait.org/ron2008/9.jpg

Matt,

Here is the other one.  http://www.spinnerbait.org/ron2008/8.jpg

Catching these fish was like having a mild heart attack.  If you get a strike, or even a follow, at boat-side, it will remind you of some of the scenes from Jaws… No Joke.

BTW…  Ron Fulk, my guide, said that the other 20% of the strikes that occur during casting happen immediately after the lure hits the water.  I really hope you slay some of those suckers.  You might give up bass fishing altogether…LOL

Like mentioned before your typical bass baits will work. I target Muskie’s from time to time and both my biggest gators came on a Booyah Counter Spin Buzzbait. I do like the 3/8 oz double willow spinnerbaits too. One of the lakes we fish tournaments on is loaded with muskies and never seems to fail to get one hooked up with one of your favorite baits and then it be gone and you standing there with slack line…. LOL…Bigger is not always better. Matching the size of the forage is what I found to be key and with today’s swimbaits it’s pretty easy to do. I have had them Blow-Up on my Spro Frogs pretty regularly lately??? Good Luck

My two best….....

[IMG]http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb79/bjtackle/0181.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb79/bjtackle/DSC049911.jpg[/IMG]

I pretty much have the bait issue covered.  I just need an idea as to where they will be roaming this time of year and what time of day usually produces better than the rest.  I see guys on TV fishing in the evening into the night a lot, is the bite better at night?

I like full moon nights….Top Waters and Red Eye Shads work well….My Bro-in-Law caught this one during a night bass tourney in Indiana in 3 FOW on a feeeding Flat with pockets of weeds. My guess this big girl was laying inbetween a couple of weed clumps. As of late I have cought them shallow adjecent to deeper water….....

pics:
[IMG]http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb79/bjtackle/021-1.jpg[/IMG]

In the weed beds if you can find them.  Good flats of weeds will hold them.  Also, if you want, I have some baits I can send to you to use if you want more of a variety, just PM me if you are interested.