The Opener, 2005
The opener was a great time as usual for my brother Greg and myself. We have fished together on the opener for years and it just keeps working for us. Last year we caught and released 6 muskies on Saturday. This year we released 4, lost one and raised 7 other fish. The East wind, cool, wet weather was not helping but the fish were active.
Greg and I started off working our usual spot close to a river inlet. This is a very popular area so we work it first and early. I got a few sucker rods ready as the sky started to show signs of light. It was 5am and the 2005 season was just about to start for us. I lowered the sucker rods over the boat and we started to cast. 5:20am a clicker started to sound off, "fish on" I yelled to Greg as I grabbed the net. A powerful hook-set and the battle was on. Some crazy jumps a few good runs and a 38 1/2-incher was netted. This was a great way to start the 2005 season, 20 minutes and we already got slimed.
Around 7am Greg stuck a 37 1/2-incher casting a rattle trap across some sand/gravel areas. I got my first chance to set the hooks into a muskie around 2pm; a 38-incher grabbed one of my suckers on the live bait rig rods. I raised the fish on an Undertaker and it clobbered the sucker as soon as it noticed it. That's what the suckers are for, the following fish that don't hit the baits. Around 3pm I stuck a 37-incher on a twitch bait close to a spawning area on the west end of Pewaukee lake.
Most of the morning was the best time for action, plenty of people caught fish on Saturday. Most of them were in the 36 to 38-inch range. Some larger females were caught on the East End of Pewaukee. I know of a 48 1/2 and a 42 that were caught by a guy I know and a 48-incher that was caught by a first time muskie fishermen on his third cast. Now that will be hard for him to top.
Water temps ranged from 51 on the West End to 55 on the East End. I think in a few more days of warm weather the bigger fish will start to show up on the West End also. Greg and I worked the warmer water Saturday night but only managed to raise a few smaller fish. Sunday I had Geno out for some muskie action. We started early so we could get in a morning of fishing and still have time for MOM'S DAY in the afternoon. Good thing we started early because it got hot out there today. Geno stuck the first fish after we had 7 fish chase our baits without a hit, not even a lively sucker could get them to eat. Gene had a 37-incher eat a Reef Hawg on the first turn of his figure 8. Very cool to see the fish come in and chase down his bait. It's also exciting to see a fish react to a hook-set when 2 ft of line is out. Great job by Gene controlling the fish and I scooped the net under his first 2005 legal. One quick picture, a measurement and back he went to battle someone again. I had my chance shortly after noon when I stopped at one of my old reliable spots and worked a twitch bait off some rocks across a deeper weed bed. This fish came rippin' out of the weeds and snatched the bait as he went airborne. This is the kind of strikes that keep you hooked on muskie fishing. He went 37-inches but packed a heck of a fight.
Well its late, I am dead tired and morning is going to come way too soon. Look for these reports to come about every other week. I have lots of clients, friends and family ready to battle the mighty muskie. I welcome you to join me sometime on the water. Plenty of great dates are open for anyone looking to get into the action. I like to do my weekday outings from 5pm till 9pm. This has been very popular and very productive. Weekends can be worked out for full days or 1/2 days. Any questions about times and dates please call or e-mail me.
Good luck to all. I will see you on the water!!!
Late May Report
Ready or not the fishing is going to get very good. Lately we have had to work very hard to catch the fish we see. I have had some diehard clients lately and the fish we catch are earned by plenty of casts. Some of those casts were not finished like they should be and lost chances were the results. Some of the best hits come at the boat. Steve's fish hit as his top water bait made it to the boat, "WHAM" and water exploded as he set the hooks into his first Pewaukee muskie.
Top water baits are working very good now. Plenty of follows and hits this past weekend but only one fish boated on top water baits. That will change as the fish get more aggressive this week. Jerkbaits and bucktails are starting to get lots of action. Suicks have been very good for the last few weeks. Rattle traps also have boated a few fish for me in the last week or two.
The water temps are in the low 70's and with the forecast of warmer weather its going to get into the mid 70's before you know it. This should get the fish very active starting very soon. Lets hope this weekend was the just the start. The muskies are now starting to move out to deeper water. Look for them on the weed lines and in the larger weed beds. Some fish have even been caught trolling already.
I was out with a father son earlier this past week and we worked an outer weed line. The Big O scored a nice 38-incher on a glider worked along the wind blown weed edge. This was great to see Dave get a jump on his son because Zack gets his share of fish. I even got in on the action with a few fish myself on Thursday afternoon, one on a Rattle Trap and one on a Suick.
The bass and panfish action is starting to get very good. Look for it to get very good this next week. Multi species outings is a great way to get the kid into fishing. You can't tell me its not fun to catch over 100 fish in a 4 hour trip. That's what you can expect in the next couple weeks on Pewaukee Lake. Bass fishing is getting very good, most of the males are in and the big girls are on the way. Please practice catch and release when catching these bigger bass. The quality of the lake depends on it. This also goes for the larger muskies caught.
I now have discounts with the best reproduction people in the business. I would love to help you catch your trophy of a lifetime and preserve it forever with a reproduction that will never shrink or turn yellow with age. Reproductions last forever. How cool is it to see all the fish pictures on my "PHOTOS" pages and know they are all swimming around getting bigger and ready to be caught again. A bunch of these fish pictured hang on walls in past clients houses and offices. The memory is saved and the fish get to be caught again. Catch and release work. Are your ready to battle one of the big ones?
Remember Fathers Day is coming up very soon. There is still time to get a custom gift flyer sent to you or your computer. Think of all the fun it could bring. You can go with or set dad up with a great gift he will remember. I will do my job to make it a great time. The fishing dates can be made anytime after the gift is given. Just e-mail me for any questions about gift certificates. Just remember, anytime you are thinking about what to get someone, think about a guided trip. That's something they will look forward to and enjoy when the time comes to get out fishing.
Well its time to get out on the water. Good luck to everyone. I hope to see you soon, in the boat or on the water.