Opening day was a bust, with cooler than normal water temps. Had two follows and one fish nip the back of a bucktail while going into a figure 8. Second trip out saw warmer water temps and 6 follows, but the fish seemed very lazy, and came in well behind the baits (10-15 ft) before turning off and disappearing.
Took a break during the heat wave and with water temps above 80, but with recent overnight temps cooling things off we planned an early morning fish. Left the launch at 5:30am and water at 76 degrees. Started off with bucktails and topwaters along the weed edge but no dice. Moved out to a deeper flat with scattered weed clumps and cabbage and started to see big marks on sonar, all just off bottom. We broke out the large plastics and in short order my fishing partner got bit right under the back of the boat. It shot right to the surface and shook off boatside before he could get a good hook set in. It was a smaller muskie but but it got us pumped up and optimistic.
A short time later I feel a thump and my rod loads up. Set the hook hard and FISH ON!! Came clear out of the water on the first two jumps, mouth open and head shaking. It went around the front of the boat down the side and under the back corner of the boat by the motor
. I ran to the back of the boat to change the angle of the line and attempt to get the fish out from under the boat. Out it came, gave two more spectacular jumps and started thrashing on the surface. Got it turned and into the net it went. Hooks out and after a few quick pics we released the 44" fish, which went away strong.
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44 Close Standing sm.jpg
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44 Close sm.jpg
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Release sm.jpg
Later my buddy had a big fish follow him in, and he kept the figure 8 going. 3 times the fish disappeared and came back, right on the bait and hot, but never hit it and finally left. The sun was strong and water temps started to climb rapidly so we called it a day. Can't wait to get out there and do it again once things cool off a bit.
_________________
Bruce Ogilvie
"Fish Hard, Hunt Hard, Live Hard"
http://www.muskiescanada.ca/
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