Who's The Fish Here???
By: Craig Sandell © 2009
 |
Whether it is the middle of Muskie season or we are 'ice bound',
Muskie Fever can still really take hold of us all. We find ourselves dreaming of open
expanses of water where monster Muskie are snapping at our lures and providing us the
thrill of a lifetime. We find ourselves looking longingly at our tackle boxes and the
lures that are in our arsenal and wondering if, perhaps, we should add a lure or two. |
| Throughout the year, we find ourselves inundated by
advertisements for lures that are "guaranteed" to catch a Muskie "just like
the one" pictured in the ad. But before we start digging too deep into our wallets,
perhaps its time for a reality check. |
 |
 |
No
lure is guaranteed to catch Muskie. They may be guaranteed to perform in a certain way when
used but they are not guaranteed to put a Muskie in the boat. Just because someone
"supposedly" caught a monster Muskie using XYZ lure, there is no assurance that
you will be able to duplicate that feat if you use XYZ lure. |
The same thing goes for rods, reels, electronics, line,
boats and motors. Before you chuck that hard earned money onto the counter, you might
consider the following:
-
How many lures do you have and how often do you use them?
[Be honest with yourself !!]
-
How many of the lures that you use have actually caught
fish?
-
Did you select the lure
type and/or color because it caught your eye or
was it part of your attack plan?
-
Did you buy your lures based solely upon an
advertisement?
Most Muskie anglers are strongly influenced by lure
advertisements or Muskie fishing videos. Take for example the Poes brand of lures. These
lures are the main focus of a particular fishing personality who also has a vested
interest in the sale of these lures. The fishing video programs for this person
demonstrates the effectiveness of these lures by showing Muskie being caught using them.
The video presentation is excellently edited and the motivation to go out and buy these
lures is compelling.
Remember, however, that most videos are shot on the same
body of water meaning that the fisherman has a unique knowledge of the structure being
fished and the emerging patterns for the Muskie as the season progresses. It is also
highly likely that the fish appearing on videos have been previously scouted so that only
high percentage locations are fished for the video production. Lastly, remember that
ONLY one brand of
lure is typically used. (We all
know that if you only throw one lure you are likely to catch Muskie on only one lure.)
Another example can be found in the lure catalogs where
pictures of Muskie personages holding a big fish are associated with a 'Signature Series'
of rod & reel or with a particular lure. Was the pictured fish
actually caught
using that 'Signature Series' or is this just a slick marketing approach as the result of
a "money-for-name" agreement?
 All
Muskie lures catch fish....given the right weather conditions, the right seasonal pattern,
the right time of day and some good luck. Lures should not be bought without first
considering where and when they will be used. So how does one decide where to spend his
money? Not an easy question to answer.
First of all, if you are a member of a Muskie club,
talk to your club mates. Ask them what type of lures they have had success with and what
are the lures with which they have
NEVER had success.
Develop a plan of attack for your fishing trip. The
plan should take into account the time of the season, the color of the water and the
success of other fishermen on that body of water.
Lastly, check out the local Muskie
haunts and see what lures are actually catching Muskie. Many resorts keep Muskie charts
and many Muskie anglers will, although reluctantly, give you some sense of the lures that
are working.
We all work hard to plan an intelligent approach to our
Muskie outings. Apply that same attitude to deciding what lures to buy
(if any)
as you move into the next Muskie season.
Tight Lines.
|
