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Pre-Season Muskie
Preparations
If you're like me, about this time of year I start
getting antsy. Muskie Fever hasn’t quite bit me afresh again yet but I
still catch myself looking at that stupid calendar hanging there on my
wall, much more frequently. I generally start my Muskie fishing early,
usually by the first of March here in Ohio. (Barring ice.) So really, if
you're an Ohio region Muskie angler, another 7 or 8 weeks and you can
start chasing Muskies again! With some
specialized techniques and strategies, it can be done with excellent
success in March, April and May. But we'll get down to more brass tacks
next issue about the "how to's" of early season Muskie fishing but for
now we need to take first things first. We've got some preparations to
make and a few cobwebs to clear before spring Muskie chasin' starts
again.
"Where to begin?... With
yourself!"
Everyone has their vices they have to battle with.
With some it's cigarettes, others have their own set of inward battles,
but for me it's the weight thing! As you've viewed some of my Muskie
pictures you've probably noticed I've long lost my lean, trim look of
many years past. Yeah....like some of you...I like to eat! Some take
this "ideal weight" thing to extremes but one thing is for sure, you can
certainly fish a lot longer and harder if you have good physical
stamina.
Non-Muskie people would
argue..."well what's so hard about sitting out in a boat all day?
Anybody can do that!"
I can't speak for everybody but I know for me
personally, when I've spent 8-12 hours on the water (especially in the
cold of early spring) I'm tired. On those long 10 hour plus days I find
I'm just as tired as if I'd stayed home and done yard work! Some of my
close friends tell me its because I take Muskie fishing too serious and
let it wear me out. Well... there may be some truth to that but I still
am of the opinion that Muskie fishing is work. Casters pay the heaviest
price physically in Muskie fishing but a good troller is usually up and
down, checking lines or doing something throughout the fishing day as
well. A days Muskie fishing is hardly a non-active situation.
Back in the early 80's when I lived near Clearfork
Lake, close to Mansfield, Ohio, I usually frequented the same gas
station every other day or so. I got to know the owner quite well and
his son. His son was one of those all conference "football types" that
look like and think they can take on the world with both hands tied
behind their back. Anyway... this young man kept bugging me to take him
Muskie fishing. It was mid summer and the 90 degree days were in full
swing that week. While filling up one morning the young stallion
informed me he had the following day off and wanted me to take him with
me the next day. I told him I would be on the water early and wouldn't
be coming off till the sun started setting and that if he wasn't used to
the heat or being in a boat for 12-13 hours he better wait for a day
when I was doing a half day trip. But the young stud would hear nothing
of it and insisted that "If you can do it...I can do it too!"
"Okay"...I replied and we made arrangements for him
to meet me at 6:00 A.M. the following day.
We were on the water and fishing before 7:00 that
morning. Conditions were pre-front and my hopes were high for some good
success. We took two nice Muskies that morning and another good one in
the late afternoon. This wasn't an official guide trip mind you. I
wasn't guiding back then but I still had a habit of monitoring my
fishing companions throughout the day. So as the day progressed and the
temperatures started heating up, I questioned the lad as to how he was
holding up, to which he repeatedly replied: "I'm fine! Nothing to this!"
"OK ole buddy"...I thought to myself, "We'll see how you're doing by
evening."
A funny thing happened as we passed the 3:00 P.M.
mark. The "stud" started getting less talkative and noticeably antsy. He
tried to sluff it off as staying up too late the night before but I knew
from experience that the "ole Muskie grind" was working on him!
In an attempt to shorten this story a little bit,
by 8:00 P.M. that evening the boy was really closed mouthed and was
openly commenting about being a "little tired". So we ended our day a
little before dark and I dropped him off at his house around 9:30 that
evening. He assured me that he really enjoyed the days fishing and that
he could see how Muskie fishing wasn't easy but wouldn't admit it tired
him that much.
The next morning about 8:30 I pulled in to the
station on my way to the lake and asked "Where's Jeff?" His Dad started
laughing and said: "He called off sick today. He's sun burnt so bad he
can't hardly move and said Danny Wade is a crazy man to stay out that
long fishing! He said you wore him out!"
Oh well! Somebody please explain that one to me!
This kid was in top physical shape and was pooped by day's end! Sure I
was tired too. I readily admit it but the next morning I was back on the
water for another 10 hour plus day. Muskie fishing is a different kind
of work I guess. The high expectations and adrenaline flows from these
exciting fish can take its toll after a 12-hour day on the water.
But my point in all this was to actually
illustrate that it is important to be in reasonably good shape to be
able to stand up to repeated long days on the water.
This youngster above suffered as must from not
coming prepared for a marathon-fishing trip as anything else, even
though he was in great physical shape. Presuming though you are
experienced enough to come prepared for long periods of casting or
trolling in a variety of potentially harsh weather conditions, Muskie
fishing demands you be physically fit enough to make it through long
hours on the water. Now I've never been particularly athletic but
I have found that if I spend 4 or 5 sessions each week on my treadmill I
feel a whole lot more like fishing throughout the week. I'm not
implying you take on some pre-season boot camp training regiment for
Muskie fishing by any means. But if you're packing extra pounds like I
do, some good old fashioned exercise 4 or 5 times a week on a regular
basis, does wonders when fishing those long hours. If I miss a week I
guarantee you I can tell the difference.
So starting with you and me personally, the first
preparation I would recommend is a regular regiment of light to moderate
exercise. When you get physically tired you are not at your best. You're
not alert, you're not nearly as concerned about learning, you tend to
let the "little things" slide. When that
happens, I can guarantee you it will cost you fish in the boat! So I
suggest joining me in this pre-season period to get the exercise routine
going again so you will feel like burning those long hours on the water.
REVIEWING LAST SEASONS SUCCESSES
AND FAILURES
For me personally, this is a big deal. From
November till March, I debrief myself literally hundreds of times.
Reviewing, rethinking, brainstorming, pondering tips and strategies that
worked well for me and noticeably for others. I relive over and over
where I saw Muskies caught, who caught them, how they were fishing.
Especially making note of conditions and any new approaches that I
personally hadn't delved into much. I cannot emphasize enough the
absolute importance of reviewing and dissecting your previous season.
Rereading your Muskie logbook is a great way to cement fish catching
information into you're thinking.
Review and cling to what was successful and
likewise think through what may have went wrong during your failures.
Don't get angry over the successes of others. Use their observed
successes to make you better...not bitter!
Tackle Preparations
Preseason tackle work is vital to getting your
season off on the right foot. I have known individuals through the years
that throw their poles over in a corner somewhere after fishing season
and never touch them again till warm weather comes around again. These
are the same folks too, I might mention, that seem to abound with giant
fish stories and how some monstrosity broke their pole or line! These
preparations are pretty basic but you wouldn't believe how many
fishermen neglect this vital preseason work.
Changing Line - It doesn't get any more
basic than this! If you're a monofilament user, I strongly suggest you
replace your line at the beginning of each season and at least again
toward mid season. I personally am partial to Spider Wire Braid for
Muskie fishing. With this line you can usually get two seasons out of
it.
Install the line new the first season and at the beginning of the
2nd remove the line and respool it with the inner most line now on the
out side. Rod & Reel Care - Clean and lube your
reels, replace any worn or defective parts.
Replace damaged eyelets or tips.
Boat Preparations - Replace lower unit
grease and install new spark plugs. Make any needed repairs now, not
when its time to go fishing! NEVER run
last years fuel through your motor. Start fresh with a new mix of gas
and be diligent to use a high quality 2 stroke oil. Also be precise on
your oil / gas mixtures.
Check trailer bearings and relube. Check for worn or
defective trailer tires. Look closely for dry rot.
Clean and make any needed repairs before your first trip to the water.
Other Important Preparations
Your Catch Log - Every Muskie fishermen
should keep a log or some form of record keeping of their fishing trips.
A record of unsuccessful trips should be so noted as well as the
successful ones. A study of your "fisherman's diary" from time to time
can be a huge asset in determining and molding fish catching strategies.
If you haven't been keeping detailed records of your fishing adventures,
I guarantee you that you are not as successful as you could be
otherwise.
Study Lake Maps - I don't care how well you may
know a lake or body of water, looking over afresh a map of the place has
a way of triggering your fishing thinker. A map will instantly flash
fish catching memories into your mind. It is also important to obviously
study maps of new waters you intend to fish as well. Maps reveal
information we sometimes take for granted or have forgotten about. The
bigger the body of water you fish, the more important map study will be
to your success.
Pre-Season Study - The weeks and months just prior
to fishing season is the best time to read and study up on your quarry.
There are now several very useful Muskie videos available as well. Some
of the videos are OK entertainment but help you very little in helping
you catch fish. The ones produced by fishing "teachers" will benefit you
the most. Periodicals such as In Fisherman and others do a good job of
imparting Muskie knowledge.
Always remember. Preparation time is NEVER
wasted time. Be on top of your game when the season comes around
again!
See you on the lake!
Danny Wade
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