Dragonfly Lures

September 19th,2007

The upcoming weekend has potential to be one of the best for fall fishing in some time. Moderate temperatures and only a slight chance of rain, early fall color adding to the beauty of the north and steady water temperatures all bode well for the fall angler. The only potential fly in the ointment is the opening of waterfowl season, which can raise the risk of hunters and fishermen vying for the same piece of water. Other than that it’s business as usual for fall anglers.

Business as usual in this case generally means muskies and walleyes take center stage and all other species are more or less ignored. Part of this is due to the simple fact that fall angling for muskies and walleyes can be the best of the year, in part due to the fact that big fish move and feed more aggressively from September until late November. The thought of a trophy fish is enough to spur the intrepid angler to hit the water.

Muskies have been somewhat flat in the past couple weeks. Or at least reports of musky success have been limited. This is all part of that seasonal dilemma that faces outdoors people; do you hunt or do you fish? People who normally fish will, come mid September, put the fishing pole aside for the bow or the shotgun. We heard reports from musky anglers his week but there were more often about how they did hunting grouse over the weekend. As good as fishing can be in the fall a lot of people simply cut back in favor of time in the field.

As is the case in September, muskies are starting to shift locations as they move from dead and dying weeds to greener weed beds. The other major change is a shift to larger lures, often those worked close to the surface as with jerk baits. Suicks remain an important lure for fall fishing, worked at a moderate speed during the retrieve. Fall fish are less apt to go for a fast retrieve now in the cooler water. Slower retrieves are the key.

Bucktails will usually work well into this month as well but as with the larger lures, keep the retrieve slow and steady. Too much speed works against the angler now.

Walleyes in September will take minnows on jigs and do that consistently, year after year. This season is no exception and the reports we’ve heard, while limited, point to jig/minnow combinations as the best way to take walleyes, most walleyes are now in that 12 to 15 foot depth, near rock bars. While evening is still the most productive time to take fish, walleyes are more active now during daylight hours, especially on a cloudy day.

Overall fishing success has been decent but fishing effort is reduced as hunting seasons take off. It’s still a great time to get on the water and fishing should be good to very good this weekend.

Enjoy the Rhinelander Area Outdoors!
Report By:
Mel's Trading Post
105 South Brown Street
Rhinelander, WI 54501
715-362-5800

Weekly Rhinelander Area Outdoor Report from Mitch Mode of Mel's Trading Post:

September 26th,2007

If fall fishing is as good as fall colors, it will be a great weekend! Colors are near their seasonal peak in the northwoods, hunting has been good to very good and fishing is showing signs of a strong finish to September.

We had some reports of very good smallmouth bass fishing this week. There were not a lot of fish being caught but the overall size of the caught fish was above average. Deeper running lures are the key with one angler (who boated 2 fish in the 20” to 22” range) nailing them on swimming jigs tipped with plastic tails. With steady weather lingering this week we’d think bass fishing would be one of the highlights on the fishing scene.

Musky fishing in fall can be very good once you locate fish. And that location may be a problem as fish seem scattered. For evidence of that look no further than last weekends musky tournament in the area. Fish were taken in as little as 3 feet of water all the way out to pretty deep locations. And the mix of lures was all over the board with the traditional favorites of bucktails showing a lot of fish as well as deeper running lures working well. Bottom line is to be flexible in what lures you throw and the depths at which you fish. The angler that is willing to mix lures and locations is the one apt to find fish.

One other issue of note is that the muskies last weekend were often following but not striking lures. They can do that at any time of the season but it was fairly pronounced last week. The key here is that when you locate a fish it will usually keep to the same general area and it’s a good bet it will be near there later in the day on on another day. Find the fish, work them, but if they don’t strike leave them alone for a while then try again.

Walleyes are steady right now. Jigs and minnows are the key and once fish are located they have been pretty easy to catch. Walleye action will improve over the next weeks as they start to bulk up for winter. Cloudy days are producing fish throughout most of the day now.

Overall fishing is good with weather conditions still moderate. Fall weather can see some real swings in a short time and that can really impact the fishing. But overall fishing is pretty good right now and we’d expect it to remain so.

Enjoy the Rhinelander Area Outdoors!
Report By:
Mel's Trading Post
105 South Brown Street
Rhinelander, WI 54501
715-362-5800

For more information about fishing the Rhinelander Area please visit www.fishingrhinelander.com

 

Weekly Rhinelander Area Outdoor Report from Mitch Mode of Mel's Trading Post:

October 3rd, 2007

Fall color takes the stage this weekend, both as trees show seasonal splendor and a youth gun deer hunt takes place.The latter event requires that any other hunters (except for waterfowl hunters) are required to wear blaze orange while in the field. And while fishermen aren’t close to the heavy cover where hunters will be, blaze orange caps are probably not a bad idea for anyone venturing outside this weekend.

If the weather holds true to the forecast this weekend will be another wonderful one. Temperatures are very mild and it will be a nice time to be in the woods or on the water. It’s unusual that one can wear short sleeves while fishing in October but that may be the case this weekend.

Those same warm temperatures have stalled much fishing action this week. Usually by now we’d see some nights of hard frost that spur fish to eat more. That hasn’t happened. Musky fishing has been slow and if the weather holds it will not bump up much in the short term. That’s to be expected as the weather stays warm and nights do not get at all cold. Muskies have been seen, following rather than striking lures for the most part. And they’ll still need to eat so some are being caught. But right now we’re not seeing a major increase in musky fishing success. It’s going to take some cooler weather to bring that about.

Walleye fishing remains good to very good. Fish are concentrated near deeper weedbeds, often near rock bars. The tactics for taking walleyes today are the same that we’ve seen for the past month and the same that will be effective for the next several months: Jigs and minnows. Find the fish, tempt them with a jig tipped with a minnow, and chances are you’ll put fish in the boat.

Panfish are mostly overlooked this time of the year but we have had some reports of success there. The same can be said of bass; once September comes they often are ignored for either hunting or the more popular walleyes and muskies. But bass can still be taken and the lingering warm weather will not hurt that.

Low water still plagues many anglers in spite of the rains this week. It’s going to take a lot more rain to bring things up to normal. For now though the warm weather alone makes time in the boat seems like time well spent.

Enjoy the Rhinelander Area Outdoors!
Report By:
Mel's Trading Post
105 South Brown Street
Rhinelander, WI 54501
715-362-5800

For more information about fishing the Rhinelander Area please visit www.fishingrhinelander.com

Weekly Rhinelander Area Outdoor Report from Mitch Mode of Mel's Trading Post:

October 11th, 2007

The past week has been one of extremes. Temperatures in the 80’s a week ago; storm and cool temps by mid-week. If you think this has an impact on fishing, you’re right! The only thing is, at the middle of the week, things are still in transition and we’re not certain where it will end.

Last weekend muskies went on a tear on a few lakes. Action was fast and furious in water that was very murky on many lakes. We had reports of big fish feeding heavily and doing so in very shallow water, three feet or less. And the fish were taking most everything they saw.

That was last weekend and the one thing we know for certain is that water temperatures have dropped a lot in the past days. We’ve also had some cold rains to raise lake levels. All of which means fishing this weekend will be a different story. We’d expect fish to be ranging from shallows to mid depths and in the cooler water we think they’ll be slowing down some. That usually happens in October.

When the October days come the musky angler reaches for larger lures and slows the pace down a lot. Fish are still aggressive but they’ll move more slowly as their metabolism adjusts. Slow your lures down if you expect to see fish. And accept that, with muskies, you may well see fish follow but not have them strike. The tried and true “figure eight” next to the boat will often prompt a fish to strike, as will change lures to see if they prefer something else. But you have to realize on some days the fish will just follow and never hit. Don’t let it drive you nuts!

The best season for musky fishing is drawing near. And the best advice is to get on the water, dress for cold winds, and put in some time. There are fish to be taken.

The same is true with walleyes as they start to fatten up for the winter. They will be more active during daylight hours now, most notably on cloudy days. And while it sounds like a broken record, jigs and minnows are still the key.

The reality is walleyes are often overlooked in the fall with too many conflicts for time between musky fishing, hunting and housework. Too bad because this is the time big fish can be taken.

Bass fishing is solid but hardly anyone is chasing them. We have had reports of very good catches on several lakes in the area. Bass are still aggressive and can provide a sporty day for those who wish to fish for them.

Overall fishing is good in the area and we’d think things might well improve after the storm fronts pass through in time for the weekend.

Enjoy the Rhinelander Area Outdoors!
Report By:
Mel's Trading Post
105 South Brown Street
Rhinelander, WI 54501
715-362-5800

Weekly Rhinelander Area Outdoor Report from Mitch Mode of Mel's Trading Post: October 16th, 2007 The long awaited, and probably long overdue, move to true autumn fishing happened in the past week as water temperatures dropped over 10 degrees. That brought things to where they'd normally be in mid October and not too soon for area fishermen. The balmy weather of a week prior had stalled things with warmer than average water temps and slow fish movement. That's changed now. Things are where they should be now. Where they should be is with cooling water, more cloudy days, and a slow-down in fish metabolism. All that spells more big fish on the move and in predictable patterns. And that's what a lot of anglers wait all year for. Muskies will be on the prowl, looking for food in able to put on bulk for winter. The big fish will move more slowly in the colder water but their appetites will be very good indeed. We expect to see a noticeable increase in big fish taken. Fishing can be very tough for the angler with cold winds and choppy water. But the time is well spent as now's the time to seek trophy fish. Slower lure action for artificial lures is critical. Muskies simply do not move quickly in the fall. So slow things down with the large artificial lures. This is also the time that fishing quick strike rigs with suckers will pay off. From now until ice up suckers will be a key weapon in the musky angler's arsenal. If muskies are active walleyes are not far behind. Again, now is the time for big fish. Walleye action the past week has been very good and some larger fish are starting to show up. There's no secret on lures: jigs and minnows remain the key and will be so until ice over. Fish are in deeper water near remaining weeds. For the first time we've had reports of panfish action this week. Crappies are moving from deep water to structure along the edge of drop-offs. From what we've heard look for the deep holes and then locate along sand or rock bars adjacent to the deeper water. For perch look shallower, to weedy areas tight to cover. There are not a lot of fish being taken but some are very nice. Enjoy the Rhinelander Area Outdoors! Report By: Mel's Trading Post 105 South Brown Street Rhinelander, WI 54501 715-362-5800

Weekly Rhinelander Area Outdoor Report from Mitch Mode of Mel's Trading Post:

August 20th, 2008

We are less than 10 days from the end of August and the heat of summer has shown, at this writing, no signs of fading.  That heat impacts fishing and not favorably. August has a much deserved reputation for slow fishing action more often than not. The exception usually is largemouth bass and that is the rule this year. Bass fishing has been good; much else has been slow.

Largemouth bass just seem to like the heat of summer. Or at least they tolerate it well, lurking in the shade during the day and moving willingly into shallow water at sundown. The water temperature may more often resemble bath water in terms of temperature but that does not seem to bother the bass. 

Bass during the day are found close to cover, lily pads, submerged weeds, downed trees and under bogs. Toss a lure in tight (and weedless lures make the most sense) and you should find fish. In the heat of day we usually used deeper running lures.  You can vary the depth but keep close to cover. In the evening top-water lures come to the fore. Weedless frogs can be
tossed right on top of lily pads, twitched off, and retrieved. We also have always done well with floating Rapalas. Put on the edge of cover, wait a minute, then start a slow retrieve. Fish usually strike in the first couple feet of the retrieve.

Muskies historically slow way down in August and this month has seen very little for musky action. The past week brought some fish to the boat and things will only get better as the weeks pass and water cools. But musky fishing this summer has been fair at best with very few peaks. 

Warmer water and high sun drives walleyes to the deeper water near weeds or other cover. Jig/crawler or jig/leech combinations generally work well but walleyes do not seem to like the heat and fishing has been slow. We expect
that to gradually improve as longer nights spur more walleye activity in the next 30 days.