Muskies and riffles

[HBmusky]

The rivers are a different breed if you would ask me . I grew up on the rivers of pa. and fish both lakes and rivers being on the river alot you learn and see alot of thing. In my seminars and on segments I have done for tv I often say that the rivers are overwhelming to alot of anglers looking for musky. It does not have to be like that . If you think were would a musky be well what habits are known ,they have to feed ,there primarilly asight feeder , there tempture sensitive,there current sentive there is alot more I could go into but lets apply these things . depending on time of the year a good place to start would be any creek mouths that flow into the river big or small . This is one of the best places to look in uncharted waters. The factors all come in to play in these area .I preach these area hard because it produces fish without discrestion. Its not just the mouth but all around the contact of the water coming from the creek. I have seen on many ocassions just down from the creek were waters mix changing temps fish laying or just off to the side of the oncoming water were the current is almost no existing.They will postion themselve though out that area even in the creek mouth. Brigde piers are often a favorite also on the down side you have alot of factors coming into play there. I have often seen large fish come from the middle river pirs. Rivers natural water current breaks wich a sonar could come into play because there not always visible by the eye. they are simply something cuting the current underneath the water. If these are large often creating a belly behind it or hole that is a attraction to other speices wich in return feeding at will .These thing are a good place to start and theres guy on this sight that know things and will share . I hope I helped a little, Herb

[Red Childress]

We cannot overlook the fact that even though they are classified as sight feeders, their hearing is exceptional. I did not realize how much their hearing came into play until I read about a study (years ago) where the retina was detached on several muskies. The goal of the study was to see if muskies with vision did in fact feed better than muskies without vision.

The result: muskies who were blind fed just as often and were in great health when compared to the ones with normal vision. Their refined lateral line allows them to hear well enough to feed with precision, no matter the water clarity. Adapting the presentation to help them find your bait is crucial during periods of "chocolate water" or at night.

Some of the largest pike I have caught were at night as well. I really think the BIG pike act more like a musky than a pike. Probably has something to do with the refinement of their lateral line as they become more mature.

The structure of a muskies' lateral line is more intricate. They have a few more pores along the jaw/nasal area than a pure-bred pike. Thus, they can hear a little better than a pike can.