Until someone at Bass Resource canoes up the Amazon, fighting off bandits and wrestling anacondas to catch 20-lb. peacock bass, @T-Billy is the most hardcore of us, working full-time by day and catching muskies at night. When I fished for muskies, I fished wilderness lakes from canoes, which feels like child's play compared to night fishing, often alone, for 45" freshwater barracudas. And his wife sometimes fishes with him, so he managed to find a woman as hardcore as he is.

 

Long live the King!

Lol!!! Thanks for the compliment Katie, but I'm not alone here. I'm not gonna mention names because I'm certain I'll screw up and leave some out, but this place doesn't have a shortage of hardcore anglers. Think about it, we have offshore charter captains, those who fish the gator, moccasin and python infested Everglades at night, some who wade weed choked waters in the dark, folks who navigate big lakes and swift rivers both day and night, the list goes on... You're pretty hardcore yourself, dragging that canoe around through the dark woods, unarmed, to go catch a few bass. Quite a few usually. 

 That's why this place is so great, it's a community of folks who are truly passionate about this sport we all love. I've never met any of y'all in person, but many of you feel like friends to me. 

1 hour ago, ol'crickety said:

And his wife sometimes fishes with him, so he managed to find a woman as hardcore as he is.

My awesome wife is 65, and she chucked double 10's for 4 1/2 hrs straight yesterday morning in the dark, and said "this really isn't that bad to throw." No more whining about big blades for the rest of us now!!! 😂 

 Actually, I've found, they really aren't bad if you have the right rig. They used to hurt me, throwing them on a 9' H with a 7.4 reel. I bought a 9'6" XXH and a 6.4 reel, and I can chuck 'em fairly painlessly for hours on end now.

Diehard musky guys are a special breed. 

1 hour ago, Susky River Rat said:

Diehard musky guys are a special breed. 

Momma always told me I was "special". 😂 

I must be doing something seriously wrong here. I’m exhausted after tossing muskie lures for a few hours, and I’m over 20 years younger.

 

Something just doesn’t add up.

18 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Something just doesn’t add up.

Desk jockey....

24 minutes ago, gimruis said:

I must be doing something seriously wrong here. I’m exhausted after tossing muskie lures for a few hours, and I’m over 20 years younger.

 

Something just doesn’t add up.

Might need to start doubling up on those pickleball sessions in the off season.

Or maybe get a skate board.

😎

A-Jay

7 hours ago, gimruis said:

I must be doing something seriously wrong here. I’m exhausted after tossing muskie lures for a few hours, and I’m over 20 years younger.

 

Something just doesn’t add up.

If you're willing to make the drive, I know a guy over in Michigan who has an intense old guy work out routine. I'm sure he'd be happy to run you through his boot camp. Strength training in the morning, then he'll put cheeseburgers in your pockets and turn a couple dogs loose after ya for afternoon cardio. 😂

@gimruis I tore my rotator cuff ripping mag dawgs  at 28 lol

I even downsized my presentations so I could fish longer too.

 

I was thinking about this last night though.  Perhaps its muscle memory.  Being that our muskie season is less than 6 months long, I probably lose that specific ability and stamina when I'm unable to do it for half the year.  Then I have to try and regain it for a few months when I start back up, and by the time I'm able to increase it, the season's over again.

@gimruis we have an open season here. I had to take months off to heal. I used good gear. When I say I ripped dawgs I RIPPED them. 

I don't even know what "ripped dawgs" means. A little help?

     Hi Cricky,  I'm guessing here...  Fishing a very large plastic lure (1lb plus) with multiple tails like a jerk bait.  Super physical, crank, crank, wind up the slack and "jerk" it 2-3' (ripping).  Dawg, shown below.

FM

 

14 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

I don't even know what "ripped dawgs" means. A little help?

 

He's referring to Bulldawgs which are large, plastic muskie lures.  You usually let them fall, then rip them upward, trying to incite a violent strike.

 

I have my best success using them when the water is a little colder.  Early November when the cisco are spawning in shallow water is when they really shine.  Its tough fishing though.

Thanks, guys. I fished mostly Mepps bucktails when I hunted muskies. 

5 hours ago, Susky River Rat said:

@gimruis I tore my rotator cuff ripping mag dawgs  at 28 lol

At least you were having fun when you tore it. I tore my right one falling over some piping at work. 😂

2 hours ago, Susky River Rat said:

When I say I ripped dawgs I RIPPED them. 

That's what it takes to get 'em bit when the water's warm IME.

1 hour ago, ol'crickety said:

Thanks, guys. I fished mostly Mepps bucktails when I hunted muskies. 

Still one of the best baits going when conditions are right. The muskie killer has been putting them in the net for me lately during daylight hours, when all they'll do is follow bigger spinners in the clear water. 

 Double 10's have been the ticket in the dark.

@T-Billy it works in 40 degree temps too.