Big fish of any species are totally different creatures than their smaller cousins. This simple statement is, perhaps, one of the least understood aspects of sportfishing. In fact, I'd venture to guess that over 95% of today's anglers are not aware of this simple fact; believing instead that "where there's little fish, there must be big ones, too". But, successful trophy anglers are acutely aware that the locations of smaller fish in relation to larger individuals of the same species can vary greatly. Bigger, adult class fish eat different forage, live in different environments, and are much more wary. In other words, they can be a lot harder to catch. These facts have been stated in various ways by many trophy hunters, but the bottom line has remained the same -- the big fish is definitely different.
Methods that work well for high numbers of fish are not necessarily the best choices for a trophy. Usually it's just the opposite. A "numbers lure" is usually a smaller bait that can be worked quickly. A plug that consistently takes lots of trophies normally has more size, and has to be worked a slower speeds. Of course, this is not a hard fast rule, since several lures do indeed take numbers as well as big fish, but the presentation chosen versus the size of fish sought varies.
Individual waters that develop a reputation for producing large amounts of one particular fish species might be just that -- "numbers waters". Rarely do these kind of waters give up trophy caliber fish with any high probability. Larger populations of gamefish per acre water generally reduces overall size potential. This is not always true, but more often than not it has a lot of merit. Water choice, for trophy fish in particular, has always been a stickler with me. When I guided muskies full time, I always tried to choose water that really fit my client's individual needs. Novices were taken to high population waters that had very low trophy potential, but virtually guaranteed action. Experienced returnees that had already boated several large fish, had the patience and stamina to cast low population waters, which required lots of fishing hours per musky, but a much higher success ratio for trophies.
This ratio concept is important to grasp. By keeping detailed logs on the waters I've fished for years, I've been able to lock down a consistent ratio that formulates into "how many muskies, pike, walleyes, or bass does one have to catch in this particular lake in order to bag a trophy. Some of the waters I fished have trophy musky ratios as thin as 300 to 1, while others are as hefty as 5 to 1. That's right, on some musky lakes, rivers, and flowages, you might have to catch 300 muskies before bagging that first lunker. On the other hand, it is possible on some select waters to catch a trophy musky in as little as every five fish or so. This is the most critical part of trophy hunting -- knowing where to begin.
I follow the same concept to a T for all other species, as well. If I truly want to bag a 10 pound walleye, I want to go where my chances are the best. You might have to fish for 10 years and catch over 10,000 walleyes in many lakes before you score on that benchmark 10 pound walleyes. Yet, go to a water like Lake Erie or Bay De Noc (Lake Michigan) and you're likely to take it on the first trip! Try to legitimately catch a 10 pound largemouth in most of the states throughout the U.S. and you're sure to fail 99% of the time. However, spend that same amount of time on a reputable Floridian, Texan, or Californian lake and it won't be long before it's photo time. Selecting the right waters is definitely THE key.
No matter what your favorite target fish species, finding out what the trophy catch ratio is on any body of water takes a bit of research, but the time is well spent. Simply ask resort owners, guides, and anglers who frequent this water what their success ratios are. Local contests will help you in this regard. Even if your ratio research isn't perfect, that's still OK. It will still give you a realistic starting point. Enough said.
Certain trophy waters, by their own makeup, require specialized lure presentations in order to be even remotely successful. This is where select trophy methods come into play. For example, even though casting a big bucktail over shallow reefs might be THE method for big muskies on many stained Canadian waters in the summertime, it's almost a sure bet that it will not excite muskies on a deep clear trout lake in northern Wisconsin. This is simply a case where there is a "right tool" for each job. The Canadian lake was tailored for casting shallow water with bucktails, while the Wisconsin water required trolling deep with crankbaits. Keeping this "right tool" concept in mind, let's quickly explore a couple of prime shallow techniques for lunkers in accordance with the waters fished.
SEARCHING MISSION FOR SHALLOW TROPHIES
Early summer is a special time for most trophy waters, in that, shallow movements of big fish such as muskies, pike, walleyes, and bass can be found almost everywhere; especially on waters that receive minimal fishing pressure. Even deep clear lakes can hold big fish shallow at this time under the right conditions. On most stained lakes, trophy fish should be shallow almost all the time in early summer. However, it might take a dark misty overcast day to draw a lunker into the shallows on gin clear lake. Lake choice versatility, which is simply a matter of fishing stained lakes on sunny days and clear waters when it's overcast, is an easy pattern to follow.
Always be on the lookout for some sort of shallow cover, and signs of shallow forage for the best big fish potential. For example, a tiny weed patch on an otherwise barren sandy flat could be dynamite on almost any lake; so could a single man-made fish crib (brush pile). However, a shallow pile of big rocks could be equally good. If weeds and rocks both exist together, the potential usually doubles. Once again, this cover + food formula works for virtually all trophy class fish of the water system; muskies, pike, walleyes, and bass.
Shallow woody cover in flowages and reservoirs can hold an occasional "horse" of any warm water fish species. Knowing the exact location of a certain brush pile, crib, or group of stumps that's holding panfish or some other forage is usually the answer. This also eliminates lots of water and time, too. In other words, if you are unaware of the location of muskies and forage fish on a large stumpy area, it might take better than an hour to fish the spot out thoroughly. However, a few casts is all that is needed, if you're certain of the fish's position.
Searching out a big fish's location can be a time consuming, physically demanding task. When you're dealing with very low populations of big fish, mental toughness also comes into play. It's very hard for most anglers to keep their intensity after days and days of fruitless casting and no fish. However, you must keep your focus. You must keep the faith, and keep the pace. I like to compare this quest for big fish to Babe Ruth. Sure he got a lot of strike outs. But every once in awhile, he'd hit a home run. You'll get a lot of strike-outs fishing concentrating specifically on big fish. But every once in awhile, you'll hit the homerun and bag a lunker.
TRICKING A BIG FISH TO STRIKE
Once you've located a big fish in shallow water, but it is reluctant to strike, some special tactics are called for. In this instance, covering water quickly is no longer needed -- you already know where the fish is. The trick now is to present an irresistible presentation. Here is where a topwater lure with lots of action at slow speeds might be the best choice for a fish like a big musky or bass. Yet, a tantalizing plastic lizard, worm or Slug-O type bait might be even more appealing. This is also THE situation for a high quality, fresh livebait presentation. More giant bass are taken on big wild shiners after the location is pegged. More big walleyes fall to a lively leech or crawler at this point. More big muskies and pike are tricked by a big sucker minnows, once pinpointed. The point is --- it's finesse' time. Put your very best presentation in from of that lunker, and you'll probably score.
Make certain that you do not cast these finesse' baits directly on top the expected location of the fish. This might spook it. Instead cast well beyond the intended position of the fish and work the lure or bait back to the target spot. In some cases, such as a shoreline fish, a long cast will also be required in order to keep your profile far away from the fish's vision.
Catching trophy caliber fish of any species is one of the ultimate thrills in freshwater sport fishing. It is important to remember the tips discussed here, but even more so never forget that there are still plenty of good opportunities at quality fish available if the right water is fished. No matter where you live in this great country, you probably have access to some trophy fishing situation. You simply have to find out where it is, and when it's most tapable. As simple as this sounds, few follow this simple formula. You can be one of those select few. Put yourself in those big fish photos. Do some homework beforehand, fish the right waters, at the right times, and stay focused. Eventually, you'll score BIG.
|