Notes

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Keep in mind that I am always looking for images for our newsletter; fish, sunsets, sunrises, other anglers fishing, equipment, anything fishing related. I can use them all.  Large, unedited images are best. Thanks.

Created by Scott McKee Oct 31, 2018 at 1:09pm. Last updated by Scott McKee Oct 31, 2018.

Thank you, Jay!

This site is sponsored by NMA Member Jay Nannen.

Musky Insomnia, The Drive (not Elway's) and the Night Bite

I don't know if this happens to you, but I know it hits Joe Wilczewski and me hard.  Of course I’m talking about Musky Insomnia (MI).  I get so damn excited before an early morning on the River that I can’t sleep.  Joe always says his alarm clocks are set to keep him in bed and not the other way around; their common usage.  I am going fishing at 5 AM.  I went to bed at 11:30 and I've slept for an hour-and-a-half.  When I awoke I checked my phone hoping to see 4:45, only to see 1:00.  I stayed in bed for an hour and went over spots in the River and things I wanted to try later this morning and that only made the situation worse.  Amping up my brain again about fishing woke me up cold.  My current bout with MI isn’t even a bad one; at least I slept a little.  When I first started musky fishing I had a much more acute case of MI.  The next day on the water always made for a sleepless night before.  When I’m into it, when I’m really feeling it, I can't turn my brain off when it comes to musky fishing.  There is always a part of it thinking and scheming away about my favorite pastime and some times that part of my brain keeps me awake.

I’ve decided to write a little piece about the Night Bite Tournament and try to convince you to enter.

First off I’ll discuss the return to prominence of night fishing as a productive way to catch fish - and big fish at that - after the sun in long gone.  Joe W and his nephew had a very nice night trip a few weeks ago and Joe’s boat has had multiple fish nights a few times.   John Pensyl and Cullen Veiders have had some very successful adventures in the dark and have landed some really nice fish up to 47-inches.  Even in some areas of the River where there hasn’t been a big fish caught in a very long time, they are catching them.  As far as I know, John and Cullen have very little experience fishing at night, but they are popping fish because there seems to be more muskies in the River and because they are out there trying to catch them.  You are a member of a musky fishing club, so I’ll assume you like fishing for muskies.  If you’re like me, the news of trips like theirs makes you want to fish more and especially more at night.  Cullen and John have the drive, or the musky fever or sickness or whatever you want to call it.  Musky fishing is the only thing that will scratch that itch.  I have that feeling in my belly again, I’m pretty sure Tony Scime does again.  John Miller and Jerry Miller have it, although it seems neither can get out when they want to and that only exacerbates the situation.  I think even Tom Page and Joe Zolnowski’s bellies are starting to warm up with the musky fire rekindled there.  Fish to be caught will do that.  The drive feels good as far as I’m concerned and fishing at night is a sure way to alleviate the yearning.

The competition, and there is some competition now, is another factor in entering the Night Bite.  Tony, Jon MacSwan, Tom and Joe have already entered the tournament.  Three of the four’s exploits after dark are legendary on the Niagara and the fourth is one of their brightest disciples.  I am very competitive by nature and the chance to square off with the best there’s ever been has me chomping at the bit to fish on August 4th , even if it is in a friendly club tournament that costs only $10 to enter.  It’s just how I’m constructed I guess.  I’ve heard members in the past explain that they didn’t think they could win our tournaments and that’s what kept them from entering.  The stronger the competition the more I want to enter a contest.

The cook-out: Even if you get skunked it’s still a good night when you head back to the launch and your friends are there grilling meats and talking fishing.  A little late night sausage / burger heart burn is good for the soul I always say and musky talk is… well… musky talk.  I love it.

Give the Night Bite a shot this year.  What else are you going to do?  Go to a movie?  Watch re-runs?  As far as I’m concerned, and Scott Kitchen would agree with me here because he stated this at a Board Meeting we had yesterday, those things are for January, February, March, etc.

I know some of you are probably shaking your head right about now.  The words “get a life” may be on the tips of your tongues.   Got one, thanks.  Musky fishing is a huge part of my life and I like it that way.  It feels right to me.  It feels like what I’m supposed to focus on.  I don't think little kids get as excited about fishing as I do and I think that's a good thing, but I wish it didn't cost me so much sleep.  I’m going to try to catch a few more hours of Zzzzz’s…  probably won’t happen though... I’ll try not to think about trolling, casting or even jigging...  UN13, 12, 11 or 10... where did Tony pop that 49” years ago… etcetera, etcetera, but I know they’ll sneak in there.

Views: 54


Board Member
Comment by Tony Scime on July 31, 2012 at 4:53am

I sleep like a baby, but always awake before the alarm goes off at 4:30 am. Internal clock, I think.


Board Member
Comment by John Pensyl on July 31, 2012 at 7:40am
Yea I sleep like a baby too, from about midnight until 1am when the alarm goes off!
Comment by Dave Martin on July 31, 2012 at 9:03am

Iggy.... you should consider a Night Bite theme sound that goes to the beat of the Vanilla Ice tune... Ice..Ice.. Baby..... kinda like Nite Bite Baby...Nite bite Baby.. <Smile>


Board Member
Comment by jojo wilczewski on July 31, 2012 at 10:12am

Good Day

I do not call it Musky insomnia. I call it a head cold. I do not count sheep trying to sleep, all I see is the fish jumping and twisting and jumping and twisting...

If I do get to sleep, I sometimes wake up setting the hook??? It is my favorite dream and why I almost always hold my rod while doing the troll!

My big problem is getting to bed. I try to get everything in the boat tied, ready, hooked up and grub box full of Scobby snacks. I do not like to waste time on the water. I even keep spare rods rigged so I do not have to deal with retieing. I think that  most of your fish are caught the night before, both in preparation and in your head???

Jojo out and I do have a problem...

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