Musky Report 08/30

[Mark Benson]

Tom:

I remembered finding you back a while ago posting here and for some reason you got misplaced again. I had thought that I had posted something to you, but after rereading both years of posting, I find that I didn't. We talked at R&H's Musky Shop one night when you were looking for Stoltman maybe three years ago. So that little tidbit will make me easy to remember, eh??? LOL!!!

At any rate, I have had one of my best 'eye seasons over here and am just starting to get my groove on musky fishing again here over the last few weeks, nothing moveing for me yet, but fishing a lot of new water west of Minocqua. Spent some real quality time with an old musky head Dave Stetko on Tomahawk fishing from 6:30 til a little after midnight last night. Didn't move any fish, but a wonderful night to explore one of my favorite lakes and tonight begins the new moon phase with a little weather moving in. Might make a tomorrow a.m. a little bit better, but can only fish tonight.

Quick question about the topwaters and cooling water, do you find that pattern to be an morning pattern or will it hold all day during these cooling days??? Also along the same line, does it seem that this pattern works better with the fish relating to weeds or are you looking at both weeds and/or rock to dial the pattern in???

Good Fishin'!!!

Mark

[Tom Dietz]

Hi Mark! The cooling water really triggers muskies whether it's in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio or Kentucky. Obviously this surface bait pattern runs a bit later down south, but once the steam starts coming off the lake after several days of cold fall like weather before turnover, topwater fishing is simply dynamite! Weeds, rocks, and standing timber all will produce fish during this period. That is not as critical as is the rapidly dropping water temperatures prior to turnover. I have my best luck early and late on sunny days, or all day long if it's overcast.

I saw five muskies today up to 48", and had another shot on a Pacemaker, but the fish swung and missed. I hope this answers your question and good luck this Fall!