2019 In Review
Musky Hunter|December 2019/January 2020
Four Top Guides Reveal What Worked And What Didn’t During Last Season
2019 In Review

How was your musky fishing in 2019? Some of you caught your personal best musky, many caught lots of fish, and some of you struggled — especially early in the season when unstable weather and cooler-than-normal air and water temperatures seemed to be the rule.

To help you prepare for 2020, Musky Hunter asked four top guides from popular musky areas to discuss what they experienced in 2019 and the techniques they used to make their season successful. Learn from their experiences and use their techniques if you face similar conditions in the coming season.

Northern Wisconsin Roller Coaster

By Matt Raley

A late ice-out coupled with cold spring temperatures kept water temperatures down and weed growth minimal on many lakes to start the 2019 season in the Vilas and Oneida county region of Wisconsin where I fish. It could best be described as a roller coaster of a year.

Small baits worked over newly-forming weeds and wood was a key to getting musky action when the season opened. Windows of opportunity were short, but afternoon periods when the water temperature was the warmest seemed to produce a few more bites. Success was seen with small twitchbaits, gliders and bucktails.

When trolling before the water stratifies in the early season, muskies can be anywhere and everywhere. I had some success with net-worthy muskies trolling smaller four- to six-inch baits high in the water column. Such early season patterns persisted well into the middle of June.

Our summer patterns started to show up around the third week of June, but it took some lakes well into July to fire up to their full potential. The summer “bite” is my favorite time of year in this area because of its consistency. No matter the day, the water is warm and muskies have to eat due to their metabolism cranking full speed. During this time, I like to fish large baits quickly and erratically.

This story is from the December 2019/January 2020 edition of Musky Hunter.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 2019/January 2020 edition of Musky Hunter.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MUSKY HUNTERView All
What can Current Do For You?
Musky Hunter

What can Current Do For You?

WATER FLOW IN LAKES IS SUBTLE AND OFTEN OVERLOOKED. BUT MUSKIES USE IT, SO WHY SHOULDN’T YOU?

time-read
3 mins  |
February/March 2021
Mountain State Muskies In Spring
Musky Hunter

Mountain State Muskies In Spring

CATCH MUSKIES DURING TIMES WHEN NOTHING IS PREDICTABLE

time-read
4 mins  |
February/March 2021
Winter Presentations For Southern Rivers
Musky Hunter

Winter Presentations For Southern Rivers

Winter has arrived, yet in the South it’s still mild enough to keep fishing with the exception of maybe a week or two of an Arctic front.

time-read
3 mins  |
February/March 2021
Tune Up For The Season Ahead
Musky Hunter

Tune Up For The Season Ahead

Have you started making your plans for the upcoming fishing year?

time-read
3 mins  |
February/March 2021
Rob Manthei
Musky Hunter

Rob Manthei

Guide Rob Manthei’s love for the Vilas/Oneida County region of northern Wisconsin is deeply rooted. His father and grandfather started taking him there on fishing trips when he was just two years old, and he began guiding full-time at the age of 25.

time-read
6 mins  |
February/March 2021
Find The Right Structure In Deep, Clear Water
Musky Hunter

Find The Right Structure In Deep, Clear Water

With breathtaking scenery, vast amounts of water, and complex and diverse structure, clear water Canadian Shield lakes offer some of the most sought-after musky fishing in the world. A bucket-list destination for the passionate and determined angler, there’s something truly special about being in the sanctuary of the great Canadian Shield lakes.

time-read
4 mins  |
February/March 2021
Multi-Species Or Bay Boat ... You Make The Choice
Musky Hunter

Multi-Species Or Bay Boat ... You Make The Choice

Is there really such a thing as a perfect musky boat? There are so many variables to choose from in the market today. Do I want a casting or trolling boat? Aluminum or fiberglass? Welded or riveted? Do I want a tiller, side console, dual console, or full windshield?

time-read
4 mins  |
February/March 2021
Region To Region
Musky Hunter

Region To Region

Region To Region

time-read
10+ mins  |
February/March 2021
Genetic Study Yields Answers
Musky Hunter

Genetic Study Yields Answers

STUDY SUGGESTS LEECH STRAIN IS NOT THE ‘SILVER BULLET’ FOR WISCONSIN MUSKY WATERS

time-read
6 mins  |
February/March 2021
Crawling Crankbaits To Catch Cold Water Muskies
Musky Hunter

Crawling Crankbaits To Catch Cold Water Muskies

Crankbaits catch plenty of muskies during spring, summer and fall, but the key to catching ’skies in the very early cold water season on these lures involves some special tricks.

time-read
3 mins  |
February/March 2021