Tiger Report 7/9

[Scott McKee]

Fished solo tonight from 5 PM to 10:30 PM.  Spent my time casting and trolling with a little jigging thrown in.  After seeing nothing but a six inch samllmouth try to make sweet love to my Ninja Tube, I caught a 33" tiger musky off the weeds in UN13 on a Baby Depthraider in firetiger.  Just prior to catching Tony, I had something boil on a bucktail I was throwing.  I generally always troll through areas where I have a follow or a swing and a miss and this occasion was no different.  I assume it was the same fish that swiped at the hair, because in the exact same location my rod went off about forty minutes later.  After a brief tussle, witnessed by two Canadian boaters that seemed amused, I landed an absolutely gorgeous 38" tiger musky.  The fish must have been starved for attention.  It put on quite a show; jumping and running under the boat.  She or he was really thick and so well marked I was going to take a picture of it in the net, but the hook popped as soon as I corralled it.  I just dipped the net and the fish took off like a bullet.  Gorgeous, gorgeous fish.

A few quick notes:

• The floaters near the Canadian shoreline are awful.
• The east River has less moss and way less floaters.  It's a world turned on its ear out there.
• Tiger muskies are super bad assed.
• UN2, 3, 4 and 13 are gin except around the creek mouths and in eddies.
• If a musky follows your lure, hit them again later trolling.  I've landed a bunch of fish doing this.

There are a lot of muskies out there.  You can catch them in a variety of ways with a variety of lures.  Go fishing.  See you tomorrow at our meeting and good luck.

[Tony Scime]

Way to go Scott. At this rate, I'll never catch up to you (but I'm not really trying).

I'll feel guilty if you stop fishing because of water temps. I really think it's ok if you water-release. They take off like a rocket even in warm water. Problems arise with badly hooked fish which take more time.

That's 3 tigers yesterday. Problem with tigers, I don't think they reproduce.

Fish must have been active all day yesterday.

Love that north wind.

[John Miller]

Scott, two tigers in one day!  That nuts!  I would be so happy to catch even a 22 inch tiger.  Thats a fish that remains on my bucket list.  Way to go bud!  Any progress on arranging a social night troll event?

[Scott McKee]

It seems like when one tiger is biting they all are.  In 2010 I popped two tigers off the same structure in the east River an hour or so apart.  As far as a social night trolling event, I'm game whenever.  I troll at night a lot and I'm social.  Bring this up at tonight's Meeting.  Maybe we can get a few boats to head down the west River and see what's up.

[Scott McKee]

It's not a contest Tony.  Remember, the NMAFFL's primary purpose is to kill white space and allow me to write silly things without irritating the membership too badly.  I haven't had to touch five of the last six fish to the boat, which I love.  Carrie's 35" was hooked in and under the jaw which can be a problem, so we netted her.  I set my temp ceiling at 75 and I'll stick to it.  I spend most days hoping for cold temperatures anyway.  Bass fishing doesn't feed the monkey on my back, but it does make him a little lighter. 

[Tony Scime]

John:

I'm really getting the urge for some night fishing. Can't do it this weekend, but I think next weekend looks good for me. I'll let you know.

[John Miller]

Scott & Tony, I won't be able to get out next weekened at all.  This weekend is the best I can do.  I tried a little last night. Casting and jigging 840-11pm.  No luck for me.

[Scott McKee]

I should be out Monday night, if the water temps cooperate.