How to determine a muskie spot?

[help please]

I know that this question sounds like a stupid one and maybe it is, but without time spent on the water how does someone determine what the heck a good musky spot is? You alway's read about the specifics of a spot in the magazines and I just find it frustrating on how this is exactly determined. I mean, I've purchased the hot spot maps and have some good experience on certain lakes, but the descriptions given in some magazine articles are sometimes unbelievable. Maybe I'm just a novice whose lack of time on the water shows, but how can someone describe a spot with such definition? Scuba diving, water camera's? Make a novice take notice!

[Tom B]

Time on the water really is the answer... Go out with a guide a time or 2, then consistently fish 1 lake, till you feel confidant that you can go and at least see fish. Then go to another lake and fish some of those same kind of spots. Then, look at a map of a lake that you would like to go to and mark it up, try and find someone that has been there and see if it looks good to them. Then, you will know you got it right.

If there is a local MI chapter, join. Being around experienced muskie fishers is probably one of the best teachers.

Good Luck

Tom B

[kjadms]

thanks for your help. A guide sure sounds like a good decision.,

[Tone]

I could probably write a book about how to determine muskies spots (not that it would be a good book, but there can be a lot that goes into finding a "Muskei spot")

The best tool that you can use to determine muskie spots on a given lake is a decent MAP of the lake. This will save you the time of driving around the lake staring at your depth finder trying to figure it out on your own.

If a map isn't available, then you will need to do a little leg work. Muskies like to lurk where there is something to eat. The simple premise of "Little fish bring the big fish" works with muskies. Try to locate the following areas on the lake that you fish: weed beds, sand bars, rock piles, drop offs, and miscellaneous structure (that can be log piles, cribs, sunken boats...). These areas should be holding baitfish. The good thing about muskies is that they will go where the bait fish are! It doesn't matter if there are also walleyes or bass there, the muskies are on the top of the food chain.

Another thing to consider once you have located these "spots" is the depths of the water that the "spots" are in. Then there is water temperature, water clarity, currents, sun position, wind, and lets not forget the moon...

Hiring a guide or going out with an experienced fisherman will save you the trouble of finding a few spots on yor own; but unless you put yourself in a position to learn for someone who knows the ropes, you will not learn how to find these spots on your own.

Good luck fishing this season!

[Lund AnglerMJ]

Hey,how do you determine any spot? Look for bait,if you're after Musky.Look for the deep weeds,and it's a good spot to cast at dawn,or dusk. Look for boulders to disappear into the depths. Or some deep weeds,on a 12-15' hump.Cast it. Troll by it. I look at maps;for days-even weeks, before I go to a lake. I try and learn the spots,before I even launch the Lund.Look for some type of food on a bar,or flat,and find fish on it. Look for the best looking places,and fish to be on it;someplace.Off the deep edge,after a front. High on the top in stable conditions.Time to cast. In frontal situations,fish early,and slow.Always have a game plan. Then have 2 back-up's.Don't leave home without them.

[Skyman]

That topic is covered on this web page under Guide to muskie fishing the Haliburton Highlands. http://www3.sympatico.ca/sconnell/Index.html http://www3.sympatico.ca/sconnell/MuskyPg1.htm

[Hutch]

All the above info is right on the money structure/ depth /weather fronts/ bait fish/well you get the idea ......I have found that using my fish finder has greatly increased my catch ratio adjusting sensitivity to 3 setting and watching it on a regular basis
Look for the bottom change from soft to hard bottom...your screen will jump from the bottom to mid screen without depth change when screen shows bottom at mid screen that is hard bottom your receiving double echo soft bottom echo will show bottom at the bottom of your screen ...this is the change up your looking for similar to a fence row when your hunting......this has gretly improved my fishing success
on all specieies of fish last week I found a change up where my screen changed 6 times in a mile Boated 24 rainbow at that waypoint
The same success regarding Muskie when you find this structure troll back and forth across it in a weaving and ..S...turns and stay on it
Soft bottom tends to warm quicker and hold more bait fish preator fish like Muskie hunt similar to a fox or coyoye hunting the edge of the fence rows thus hard and soft bottom same strructure change
fishing is not that much different than hunting .Hope I have Helped