Moonphase

[MuskeeMike]

It seems Joe Buchers web site is down, does anybody know a web where you can get a calender to copy?Im heading up north for a week and could use the info. Thanks MuskeeMike

[Musky Mike]

Musky Mike to MuskeeMike:

Check out www.Muskies101.com under Information Center.
There's a link to Moon Phases for all the states.

Good Luck up north next week.
Hope you dance with the big girls.

[MuskeeMike]

MandM to MandM thanks for the help. Any suggestions on tactics for the week? MuskeeMike

[Musky Mike]

MM:

I'd look for them to be positioned along some of the steeper breaks available, especially if you find baitfish schooling in these areas. I wouldn't be afraid to venture out quite a ways from the breaks looking for suspended fish, as they'll hold out off of the breaks and move in when ready to feed. Green weed edges, if present, should also be considered prime areas. Rock humps rising up from deep water should also catch some attention. With the colder water temperatures of this time of year I think suspending glide, jerk and crankbaits are the best bet as they are effective worked slow and will "park" right in front of 'em when paused. This often times results in the muskies being unable to resist, they're very effective choices.

I don't personally fish suckers much (have only done so when fishing with a guide) but it is a highly effective method this time of year. On a day trip last October on a Vilas County lake we raised three large fish using suckers and boated two of the three. The largest boated was a 45 inch "fattie." If you decide to use suckers, do yourself and the fish a favor and use the "Herbie-rig" or the Maina "Lift-off rig." They are the absolute best where sucker fishing is concerned. You can set the hook as soon as the fish is moving away from the boat - no need to suffer the agonizing wait - and the musky will be hooked in the corner of the mouth making CPR easy and successful. I envy you being able to spend a week up north at this time of year. It's prime time for sure, just dress warm.

Good Luck, Mike. Hope you dance with the big girls. Let us know how you did when you return.

Mike Kagel

[MuskeeMike]

Thanks MM ,think deep divers on the deep weed edge for one guy and the other throwing a glider just over the edge might be the ticket. I usually dont use live bait either, its to hard to find in my area. Ive read on a nice warm day they might move up on to the flats, ever seen this happen? Thanks for the help MuskeeMike

[Musky Mike]

MM:

Have indeed seen them up on shallow flats on nice warm days. Haven't really had much luck getting them to strike however. Think just maybe they are up shallow warming themselves to aid digestion AFTER they have eaten. Can't prove it - have never read anything on the subject, so it's just a personal opinion based on my own inability to entice them into striking regularly. The next time I encounter this, I intend to toss a shallow running glide bait at them that will "park" right in their face as that's one tactic I've never tried. It just might work.

Mike