Musky Fishing New River

[Remobeater]

Anyone know of anything going on for musky right now? I was thinking of taking some breaks from the bass. I'm not sure if its too hot or what. I've done about 2.5 trips specifically targeting them with nothing (not even bass) on any musky lures I'm trying. Latest was an alabama rig with 6" reaction innovation pepper shads. I've even seen one dead one along the shore by Whitethorne, that's either a bad sign (too hot) or sort of a good sign (poor release). I'm trying all sorts of deep water pockets, weedbeds, logs and other structure. I may try a 3-4mile float tomorrow but I'll probably switch back to bass.

Thanks,
Ian

[Salmo trutta]

Look up Savage Strike Guide service (http://www.trophystriperguide.net/ ), he's one of the better guides on the new. He'll put you on fish, well worth the money so you can figure out the technique, water, area, fish etc etc. Be prepared for when one does calling. Have a huge net so you can unhook the fish in the water while still in the net. It will save you a lot of trouble. If you bring it into the boat chances are the fish will freak out and go crazy. Breaking rods, lures, hooking or even biting you. NOt good. Also have pliers and hook cutters ready to use. Sometimes it's a lot easier to just cut the hook to release the fish. It could save its life and maybe yours if you get a treble stuck in your hand while the other hooks are still in the fish. Try top water, big spook magnums and such too. Good fun. Things should start to get very interesting now with water temps falling and all. Prime time is in the dead of winter during a warm up but fall is arguably the best time too.

[Remobeater]

Thanks. I'm a cheap grad student so not sure if I'm willing to dish out the cash. Now that the semester is starting I won't have much time either so its kind of a loose-loose situation. I just went out today for bass and right after I let a little rock bass go it sounded like it got slammed and I heard a big splash about 15' away from me. This kind of thing happens all the time so I feel like they are there. I've tried a lot of topwater and I've got the wtd technique down pretty well. It seems like they just never come.
I do a good percentage from an 8' kayak, but I do have a plan. I've got a big net in the back rod holder so when I get one to the boat I will net it and tie the net to the side so I can work my way over to the shore and then de-hook it in the water. I do something similar with larger bass so I can get a nice photo and keep it in the water. It will maybe get pulled up out of the water for a quick photo and then let go. Unfortunately I'm alone about 2/3 of the time so I can't get a buddy to get a nice pic... I think getting a nice musky sleigh ride might be worth all the effort though

[Salmo trutta]

I used to think some trips and guides were all way too overpriced. Student or not. Then I thought about all the hours and money spent that I did it the wrong way. If I just had some direction as to the where, the how and when, I would have caught cauntless more fish. Plus if time really is an issue, why waste it. Do it right the first time. Before you know it you will move some place far from there and won't be able to get back to some of the best musky waters in the Country for who knows how long. Spend a couple hundred, split it with a friend, one you trust more than your wife, and have at it. Musky are not the easiest fish in the world. But once you figure out a pattern and some of the "w's" than they will start to come a lot more often. Oh, I'd take that 8' kayak and trade it in for a 14'. YOu don't want one of those things jumping in your lap in that little boat. Get one of those flat back canoes sold at dicks for $400 or so, mount a small gas motor on it, stand and paddle from it, stand and cast from it and always do a figure 8 after the cast. Try at night too. Full or new moon, the big musky like to come out at night.

The winter time can be awesome for musky too. Our waters never get too cold for them and we have no closed season.

[Remobeater]

I have a 12' john boat with an electric motor, just don't always have someone to help me load it. I've been trying some from that but I'm mostly on the kayak. I'm signed up for a guide trip with Mike Coley and hopefully he will show me some things.

[Salmo trutta]

Sweet. Say Jon Griffiths said hi, From mid atlantic muskys. I've never actually met him but he's one of the best there is down there from what I've read and seen from some incredible musky fishermen. That 12 john should be about perfect. Try different methods of loading, like maybe a different style roof rack or something where you only need to lift the bow up and roll the whole thing up on top. Or get a little trailer. You could pull that boat with a mountain bike just about so don't worry about horse power.

[Remobeater]

I've wanted to get a little trailer for it but I haven't seen them around. I don't want to dish out $500 for this $200 jon boat. The other problem is the warranty on the hatchback will be voided if I add a trailer hitch. I wasn't too concerned about the torque/hp either. Its a relatively new car so loading by myself is probably not an option without loosing some paint. Hope we catch some nice ones this weekend.

[Remobeater]

I just went out with Mike Coley for about 5-6 hours. Around 8 or 9am the other guy had a strike but no hookup. I saw one ~25lb investigate our trolling motor and we had one small one follow. Unfortunate I still didn't get one after paying that much but at least I know some good techniques. His favorite right now is a suspending jerkbait in firetiger. I think they are around but its not super hot. Maybe in a couple weeks when the water is below 65*F the action will improve... I must be at least halfway to 1000 casts now...

He also said the Kayak should be fine, but suggested I get a boga grip and tie it onto the kayak. They won't like sitting in the net while I paddle them around.

[Fish&Surf757]

Im heading back up there for the spring remo, ill give you a shout and we will get on those toothy critters. Im bringing my new boat

[Remobeater]

Cool Zach, I almost landed one last weekend off my kayak on my bass gear with only 6lb test. He managed to chew through the line. Unfortunately I'm graduating around February, so I don't know if I'll still be around. I've had a few close encounters but no other good hookups. I did have one slam my lure about 10' from the boat which was pretty cool to see but I didn't hook him. One of my lures has been hit about 2 or 3 times, there are some good sets of marks on them but they hit too fast on these hard baits. I might switch to some type of crawfish/softplastic to give them something to chew on.