T-Billy

@Catt got me paying closer attention to the moons position, especially once I started muskie fishing, and I'm convinced it's a factor. Some days more than others it seems. IMO whoever named the major "moon overhead, or underfoot" , and minor "rise or set", got it bassackwards. Rise and set seem to have a bigger effect on the fish IME.

Burning Llungen .22 Shorts and 5" Tuff Shads over weed stubble and outside edges in 8' - 12', and single #8 bucktails over weeds and in creek channels in 1.5' - 8'.

I'm looking forward to the next cooling trend @Further North. There were some big girls starting to show up in the shallow weeds, but this heat has moved them back out a bit, and put them in a bad mood.

It was down to 68, but this recent warm spell has brought it back up a few degrees.

I had a fun day on the water with my bride today. We ended up catching five with the best being the 41.75" below. The rest were 32", 33", and 35" x2. Also raised another 6, all 30 somethings. Yesterday she put a fat 38" in the net, and I rode the skunk. 😂 The fish above brings me to 70 on the year, and we're at 81 as a team.

X2. + Keeping that big hook sharp is also very important. If it slides across your thumbnail instead of digging in with very little pressure, it ain't sharp enough.

Pretty much how I see it too Katie. I see so many muskie "fisherman" these days who won't make a cast until they have one on screen. 🤦‍♂️ That ain't fishing IMO. I equate the skill involved in that to killing a deer at night with a thermal scoped rifle. Anyone can do it.

It's because you're a 🔨 and 90% of bass can't resist eating your bait for more than 3'. 😉 Now quit messing around and mark this post as the solution!!! 😂🤣😂

👆This. I've found muskie fishing will teach you one of two things. Learn good mechanics, or learn to endure lots of pain.

I never bothered with keeping a log, though I'm sure it would have been beneficial earlier on. At this point I don't think it would be much help to me. I only fish a few different lakes, and pretty much know where the fish will be seasonally, so I take that into consideration, and fish the current conditions. Start with plan A and adapt as needed. I'm a big proponent of the K.I.S.S system.

Glad you're back after 'em. Prayers for a full and speedy recovery.

X2 Cheap, and work great on all lines.

Paddle tail swimbait of your choice. I no longer feel the need for a trailer hook since I started using these bulky baits for trailers. The fish eat the bait much better than without 'em, and the lack of a trailer hook lets them come through cover much better.

A blue heron launching out of a tree overhead while fishing in the dark. Ranks right up there with those pesky beavers.

I like the way you roll. 😉 #STRAIGHTBRAIDBRIGADE!!! 😂

That they do!!! It's the exact opposite in spring.

100% agree. I've had lots of terrible days when they "should" be biting, and lots of awesome days when they "shouldn't" over the years. I caught 6 muskie last Monday, and lost three more in sunny, calm conditions with a light E wind, in clear water. Fishing "SHOULD" have sucked. Go fishing when you can, start how you think you should, if that ain't working, try something else. With time and experience you'll be successful more often.There is NO substitute for time on the water.

Ha!!! If it had got me, it would have become a pot of soup for sure. It was a handful. Snagged on the front foot, and they can reach about half way back around their shell with that long neck. Look at that pic of it trying to bite me. My fist would dang near fit in that things mouth.

Tammy's getting a little outta control with the whole multi species angling thing. 😂 She snagged that big ol snapper by the front foot, and it was determined to remove a chunk from me while I unhooked it. In the end, we both got out of that deal pretty much unscathed. We also managed to catch six muskie over the past two days, and lose three others. No bigs, all between 33" and 39". We did raise a couple low 40's but couldn't get 'em to go.

Ark Invoker 7'11" XH. It'll throw two pounders over the boat with ease. 😂

Absolutely incredible picker.

Don't even get me started. 🤬

I had a to do the same last fall when a muskie buried a 1/0 4x strong treble in my knuckle. I had cut the hook just below the shank thinking I would push it through, but it was in too deep. The braid trick was out because of where I had cut the hook, so it was grip and rip with the pliers. There were a few swear words involved in the process. 😂

Congrats on landing the job. Goal set and met. 👍