All of these topics are boring, I have a better idea.

[Ace]

Hello boys and girls. 

As I'm sure many of you are getting sick and tired of winter and hard water, I have an idea that might just interest some of you.

There is nothing I'd rather talk about than fishing on "OPEN WATER"!  It doesn't really matter what the subject is Walleyes, Bass of either species, Pike or my favorite, Muskies.
I have been a professional guide and tournament angler for over 20 years. I aslo do some seminar speaking and I specialize in multi species angling.  I think I have something to offer to many of you that may just be starting to get into fishing.  Or to you long time anglers who just want to pick up some tips on tackle or techniques to increase your odds when you hit the water.

Not only would you have a chance to learn a few things about fishing, you'll also help me from going totaly insane waiting for the spring and "OPEN WATER" fishing.  So I'm asking you PLEASE, if you have any questions about anything relating to "OPEN WATER" fishing, feel free to ask and I will do my very best to answer your questions.  All topics are welcome, from all species mentioned above to what kind of gear and tackle you should have, from rods/reels to lure choices and what kind of electronics you need in your boat.  I don't know everything, but I'm old so I have a lot of aquired knowledge to share, with anyone that wants to listen to the rantings of an old fisherman. :-)

"Ace"

[stevejedlenski]

i have a question, why dont you like hardwater?

[kingfisher1]

This question can be applied to both open and hard water.  What do you think of the fishing charts out there that say the fish will bite bestat certain times?  Do you find them effective, or do you think they are a piece of   ?  I know someone that swears by them, and I don't put much faith in them.  Thoughts?

[Bobby Bass]

ACE what is your choice for Spring Northern action, besides looking for ice free northern bays have any Spring Hot spot syou would like to share? 

[JakerGreen]

Where are pikes in open water? Are they  shallow or deep? I don't know because I have caught some in both. I caught my 38 incher in shallow and a whole bunch of smaller ones in the deep stuff.
                                    JakerGreen

[fubar]

they will be out deep when the water is cold and when it warms up and the weeds start to grow they move in shallow. from my experiences anyhow. i have caught pike everywhere though at all times of the year so it isnt an exact science but i have had the best luck when the water gets warm up in the weed beds. (i dont want to steal your thunder ace i want to hear what you have to say too because im kind of a loose cannon when it comes to fishing and always want to hear other peoples opinions.) i started guideing when i turned 18 and i could get my master boating liscense and im only 20 now. i only dable for my girlfriends parents over the summer but i do get out myself a few times a week living on the lake. good thread though.

[Ace]

Hey Steve,

Read my post again, I never said that I didn't like ice fishing.  I'm just sick of winter and I'm ready to move on to open water.  If you must compare the two, ice fishing is like watching paint dry compared to fishing on open water. IMHO

I don't fish for panfish, so for all practical purposes the fishing season ends for me in Feb anyway.  After stairing down a 10 inch hole for two months, I'm ready for something else.

"Ace"

[Ace]

Hey Kingfisher1,

As a Muskie angler movement charts and moon phase charts are always a part of my arsenal.  Moon rise and set, sun up, sun down are all factors in the overall equation.  They are however, just one piece of the puzzle and other factors will come into play.

I always make sure that I'm fishing during those peak periods. The full and new moon periods do have an effect on fish movements. However a severe canadian cold front will often times overwhelm any advantage you may have from fishing a full moon.

Local weather will always have the greatest influence on what the fish are doing. If you get a full moon period during a good steady weather pattern,  fish activity can be easy to predict.  Take away any one of the factors in the overall equation and their movements will get harder to predict.

So in the long run, understanding all of the factors that influence fish and their environment, will help you be a much better angler. Fish movement charts definately have their place in the overall scheme of of things. They aren't however, the only part of the puzzle and they can be effected by many other factors.  :fishing2:

"Ace"

[guythathunts]

Ok. I have a questions. i hear more and more guys talk about the berometer. What is a good indication of a "hot bite" acording to pressure? In other words: When - according to the berometer- is a better time to fish?

[Ace]

Jaker, Bobby, Fubar,

Northern Pike are one of my favorite fish species and I spend a great deal of time persuing them during the summer months.  Unforunately our fishing season here in Minnesota opens to late to take advantage of the iceout bite for Pike most years.

Pike spawn very early and often times they will actually spawn under the ice.  When I'm targeting Pike early in the season, I look for the warmest water I can find.  If they have moved out of the shallows, I'll fish any adjacent structures close to their spawning areas.  The first main lake points or islands adjacent to the shallow water spawning areas, are always a good place to start.  

Here on Vermilion we are fortunate to have some real trophys swimming around and those are the fish that I look for.  There are always small Pike  available in the shallows, even after most of the fish have moved out to other areas.  To key in on the largest Pike in the system, you need to adjust you thinking to specifically target those larger fish.  Water temps are certainly a factor however it isn't the only factor.  Fish won't stay were there isn't any food source for them, no matter what the water temps are.

Mainlake points, islands, rockpiles are magnets to all kinds of baitfish.
Deep weed edges are also key areas even if the new emergent weeds are not yet visable.  My favorite early season presentations are jerkbaits, spinnerbaits and spoons. They all excell in colder water temps and they will fish a number of different types of cover.  I'm not a livebait guy when it comes to Pike, I just don't think it is necessary to use livebait to catch Pike, at any time of the season

After the weed growth comes in you will have an opportunity to catch some of the largest Pike in the system.  This pattern won't last very long, however it can be fantastic for a couple of weeks.  Larger Pike start to get stressed in water temps over the 65 degree mark.  Many of them will then move out to the main lake basin to find cooler water temps and better feeding opportunities.

In lakes with tulibees, smelt or other types of baitfish, they will follow the schools around much of the summer.
You can catch these deep water monsters trolling, jigging or even casting in some situations.  Look for those mainlake structures that come up to, or near the thermolcline.  Bait fish will sometimes use these to feed on plankton and other invertibrates.

In a nutshell, this inforation should help you catch a few more Pike this year.  If you have some more specific questions about anything related to Northern Pike please feel free to ask.
Each lake is different, however Pike are pretty similar no matter where you fish for them.

"Ace"

Let me know if I missed anything.

[kingfisher1]

thanks for the info!  Wish I would've known you when I worked on Lake Vermillion!! 

[Ace]

Ok. I have a questions. i hear more and more guys talk about the berometer. What is a good indication of a "hot bite" acording to pressure? In other words: When - according to the berometer- is a better time to fish?

Hey Guy,
The barometric pressure can have a major influence on your fishing success.
Especially if you don't fully understand it's effects on the fish and their environment. A rising or falling barometer, is simply a way to measure the weight or pressure of the atmosphere, which indicates impending weather changes.

Rule of thumb says, high pressure will put fish down and make them much less active.  We have all been out there on those post cold front days with the high skies and the NW winds.  That would be a typical High pressure system here in the northern part of the country.  Many times you'll here anglers  say, "it's just to nice a day for catching fish".

There are also low pressure systems that we usualy connect to bad weather, rain and thunderstorms.  This extreem can be a difficult time for fishing as well.  There are however exceptions to every rule.  I think you'll find that a steady barometric pressure, is the most conducive to good fishing.

Typically a falling barometer can offer up some great fishing oppotunies, but it is typically a very short period of time and you have to take advantage of it.  i'm sure you've heard about guys catching a big Muskie just ahead of a severe storm front.  That would most likely be under a falling barometer and it may only be a very short window of opportunity.

Fish will adapt to major changes in their environment, given enough time even in a high pressure situation, fish will again become active. Typically when you fish in high pressure you want to fish deeper, slower and as verticle as possible.  Fish will typically not chase and by fishing as verticle as possible, you are presenting the bait right in their face instead of a moving target, they see an easy meal at eye level, that they can easily take. You'll hear the phrase "Strike zone" alot these days on TV.  Cold fronts generally shrink the strike zone and fast moving baits can become much less effective under those conditions.

Steady weather patterns are the times we all remember that the fishing was great.  It doesn't necessarily mean that the weather was good or bad.  What it means is that the conditions stayed the same for a long period of time.  That will allow fish to adapt to those conditions.
Steady weather patterns get everything under the surface moving. They don't  have to spend time adjusting to major changes in pressure, so they spend more time feeding and moving around.  That my friend, it what that barometer is all about, changes.



I hope that answered your question! 

"Ace"

[guythathunts]

You did. Thanks!!!!!!! 

[sandmannd]

If ya don't fish pannies how about you head out to Pool 4 in March. Heck, I'm thinking of heading down there with a buddy next weekend.

[JakerGreen]

Thanks for the info Ace! I'll check those water temps.
  :fishing2:


                  JakerGreen

[Ace]

hey Jaker,
If you and Dad ever get up my way I'lI give you some first hand knowledge on how to catch them toothy critters.

I have a grandson who's about your age and he loves catching big Pike. The best time of the summer is late June, all of July and early August, for catching the "Big" ones.  No need to worry about a guide fee, just bring the sandwiches and some sodas and we'll make a day of it. :fishing2:

Does that sound like a plan or what?
Lake Vermilion has some really "Big" monsters!

"Ace"

[Ace]

Hey Sandman,
As good as that sounds, it's about 300 miles from my place to pool 4 on the river.  Besides my boats are in storage until April. By then I'll be able to fish on the Rainy and it's only about 85 miles from my house.

"Ace"

[Ace]

 
Come on guys, it's snowing up here again. There must be some more questions to ask me about fishing or something!?

How about spring time Walleyes or a good way to catch Smallmouth bass in the middle of the summer, or how about, What are the best baits for a summer time "Monster Muskie"!

I'm easy, so take advantage of me!

"Ace"

[fubar]

hey, did you fish the misky mania tournament this year? if you did what lake did you fish and what were your tactics?

[kingfisher1]

what are your favorite tactics for spring smallie action on mid sized rivers?  What depth, baits/lures to use, etc?

Also, what are your favortie tactics for late spring/early summer 'skis.  I've had great luck on bucktails, but am looking to expand my horizons. 

[BiggA]

What do you look for on a new lake the first time on it. I took up muskie fishing 2 years ago with very limited success (1 fish way more than 10000 casts). 

[Ace]

Hey Fubar,
The only Muskie tournament That I fish these days is the Vermilion Muskie challenge. It's a 2 day charity event held in August.

On Friday we take 50 kids out Muskie fishing for a half day.  These are kids that wouldn't otherwise have this opportunity to go out with a guide or a seasoned Muskie angler. Then we feed them lunch and give away a bunch of cool prizes. Including a nice replica mount for the largest Muskie caught.  We also give away a prize for the largest Pike of the day.  They all end up with something and it's all donated by local businesses and bait and tackle companies.

Then on Saturday, there is an adult tournament whit a money prize for the largest Muskie.  I have never won the adult tournament, however the kids in my boat on Friday have won it a number of times. We try to keep it pretty simple, most of the kids have never fished for Muskies before.  The most popular presentations are the bucktails and my favorite, topwaters.

I'm not familiar with the Muskie Mania tournament, I believe it's held in Wisconsin.  I don't fish any big money tournaments anymore, I don't like what they do to people.  Money always changes how people look at fishing and it isn't a pretty picture.

"Ace"

[fubar]

ohh no i was talking about the tournament held out of walker. you can fish cass lake, bemidji leech Exc. that vermilion thing sounds prety cool good to hear you do that with the kids. what is your favorite topwater and what conditions work the best with topwaters?

[stevejedlenski]

for spring walleys, is fishing below a dam a good option? and what baits do you throw?

[Ace]

Hey Fubar,
Topwaters can be used in any water conditions for Muskies.  If it gets rough, you just go to a louder topwater with a bigger prop.  WTD style topwaters are designed for the smooth water, as are creepers, Hog wobblers and some others. Low light conditions and periods of high activity(Moon rise/set) are all great times to throw a topwater.

I throw topwaters from opening day until October.  You just have to learn which style works the best in certain conditions.  Any time you're fishing shallow water it's topwater time and especially if it's dark or stained water conditions.  I also throw topwaters in deep water at times if I see baitfish close to the surface, hey man it's topwater time. Don't ever be affraid to throw something different than what everyone else is throwing.

Heck, half the muskie fishing world is throwing cowgirls now. If I were a Muskie,  I'd want to see something different once and a while.  

"Ace"

[laker]

Ace, thats really neat that you would share some of your knowledge. Thanks! My question is; What time of year do you use rapala style plugs for walleye, What brand works best for you, and what depths do you target?

[Ace]

Smallies in rivers,
One of my favorite Smallmouth rivers over the years is the St.Croix. I did some guiding up there, back in the day.  I mainly fished above the dam at St Croix falls, from the dam north to the state park.

Spring and fall were always the best time to find them shallow.  I had a couple of favorite presentations on the St.Croix.  Jigs tipped with plastics were a stone killer for me. Especially when things were tough, you could always boat some fish on a jig/grub combo. Jigworms were also a favorite set-up for me.

When the fish were more active I'd throw cranks. Fat raps, wiggle worts and other tight wobble style cranks always caught fish for me. I also liked the baby b minus series. Minnow style baits like the oringinal Rapalas worked well in the spring, worked as a jerkbait, however they weren't as effective in the fall.

Flats along the bank with boulders or timber to slow the current, are always a good place to fish for smallies.  Points that extend into or at the edge of the main river flow are also good areas to try.  Islands can be great locations as well.  Especially if there is a flat, or long rocky point extending out into the main flow of the river. Inlets with slower water or weeds, or even boulders at the mouth, or in the connecting channel
can also be great spots to fish.

Most river fish will seek out areas where they won't have to fight the main current all day. The down current sides of any obstruction can hold feeding Smallmouth.  They will be there, heads into the flow, waiting for something to be swept down the river, into their waiting mouths.

My favorite colors always imitate the crawdad. Browns, greens and blues in darker shades, are good for plastics.
The water clarity of the river will alway have some influence on your own color choices. For cranks baits firetiger is a great color for almost any river system and I also like to have some charteruce for almost any place I go.

If the rivers you fish have some nice looking eddys or pools off the main flow, don't hesitate to throw a frog or a buzzbait in those areas.  There is always a few smallies that will hit a top water, even if it isn't perfect top water conditions.

"Ace"

[kingfisher1]

great post.  Thanks for the info.

[Ace]

Hey Bigga,
You shouldn't get down on yourself about not catching many Muskies yet.
It's a tough sport man.

Once you get that first one and break the ice, more will follow.

Fishing new water all the time makes it even tougher when you're starting out.  If I'm fishing a new lake that I don't know much about, I do a little homework, before I hit the water. I start by picking up a good map and checking it out very thoughly. I Look for stuff that typically holds Muskies.

Things like weedbeds, points, islands and midlake humps and rock piles. In
some lakes there will only be a few of these, in others, they will be virtually countless.

Personaly, I always go right to the first big weedbed I can find and work the heck out of it. Inside, outside and along the deep edge. I have found in my 35 long years of Muskie fishing, that there are always some fish in the weeds, always!

The next step would be to work all the structual elements adjacent to the weedbeds. The first points or rock piles, the first island, whatever it is. Your last move then would be to work the main basin.  Look for some suspended baitfish on your locator  or make a couple of trolling passes on the first deep breaks. Basically, you're just looking to make some contact with the fish. :fishing2:

"Ace" 

[Ace]

Spring time river Walleyes,
Yes, dams are a good place to look for Walleyes in the spring time. Truth be told, any obstruction that keeps them from moving up stream, will bunch them up and make it easier to locate them.

Structures like wing dams also create eddys where they can get out of the main current flow. Watch for current seams, they are exactly the same as any other kind of edges. All fish are attracted to edges, weed edges, rock edges, current edges and so on and so on.

For that kind of fishing I would start with a jig. Pitched, cast or fished verticaly, it's hard to beat a jig when it comes to fishing Walleyes in rivers.
Especially when you're fishing near a dam or a bridge pilon, or any large obstruction in moving water. Same thing if you're fishing riprap along the bank, just below a dam, my first choice would always be a jig.

"Ace"