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June Muskie Tip
"Early Summer Trolling"
by Danny Wade
Well folks, Summer is rapidly coming upon us
and along with it those typical Summer patterns begin to form. Hot,
hazy days, accompanied by breezy Southwest winds and scattered thunder
storms, typify Summer Muskie fishing conditions here in the Buckeye
state. Casters and trollers alike can be very successful during the
Summer months but I would have to give the edge to troller during this
period. This month I would like to talk about early Summer trolling.
Now some of you may be thinking, "Early Summer trolling, what's the
difference?" "I troll the same all Summer long!" Well, I know
that and that's the purpose of this month's article.
Consider this. I break down the Muskie season
into several "small seasons", of which I fish each differently. Why?
Because the fish are doing something different in each of those times.
Examples: In early Spring, the Muskies and nearly everything else that
swims, relate to shallow water. Casters and shallow trollers do well
during this period. In late Spring while water temperatures are still
quite comfortable for the Muskies, they relate very heavily to the now
"heavy" weed growth. Trollers become far less effective and casters
have a far better catch ratio. But in June, yet another transition
begins taking place. With the arrival of regular 80 degree plus days,
water temperatures begin to soar rapidly in the shallows, thus the bait
fish and the predators begin a gradual migration to deeper water.
Notice I said GRADUAL! Many of you fall on hard times during late May
and the first half of June because you are trying to fish this period
like you would July.
Friends, there is a better way. Muskies of
early Summer are making yet another transition, from shallow flats and
bays to more comfortable conditions. But as I said a moment ago, they
are "beginning" to make this change and you must fish with this in mind
to be consistently successful at this time. The following are some
recommendations I have for early Summer trolling.
1. Up size your bait selection a bit and begin
trolling deeper water in the general vicinity of where you were
successfully taking early Spring fish.
2. Work water depths between 10' and 18 feet,
preferably within 100 yards of the shoreline or shallow flats.
3. Increase trolling speed to or above 4 mph.
4. Concentrate on running your baits in the
upper 8' of the water you are working. Early Summer fish even though
they are now beginning to suspend, tend to do so at a shallower depth
than in mid Summer. Trolling a deep diver at this time down to 12' to
15' is not nearly as effective as concentrating on the upper third of
the water column. I have caught many Muskies during this period,
running my baits at the 5 & 6' level, especially on overcast, choppy
days. "Shallow suspended Muskies tend to be active Muskies!"
5. Planer boards work well all Summer but are
especially a big help in running deep divers at a shallower depth.
6. Make frequent turns and course variations
when trolling. These often trigger strikes.
7. Troll points and drop-offs close to shallow
water religiously. Deeper water just outside of weed edges can also
produce quite well at this time.
8. And finally, don't be drawn out this
strategy until you begin to see fish caught further out in the lake and
in deeper water. Let someone else do the experimenting for you. Be
observant. Make a mental note each and every time you catch a fish and
just as important make note of each Muskie you see being caught. If you
will keep your eyes open to what is happening around you at your lake,
the next step into a full blown Summer tactic pattern will evolve
naturally.
These tips work well for this early Summer period
but keep in mind it is a fairly short lived period also. Depending on
the weather of course, I will usually fish these tactics from the 3rd or
4th week of May to the middle of June. Generally, by week three of June
we are into or getting very close to a full mid-Summer pattern.
Good luck and see you on the lake!
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