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Springtime River Muskies

PostPosted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 6:21 am
by Rowboat
Dear Larry,

I have been raising and catching muskies in deep pools behind riffles for the last few weeks but with the warming weather, in Virginia, they seem to have left the area. Do muskies behave like bass, moving into prespawn staging areas and then to the spawn? Any suggestions as to where to look next would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time,

Mike

Re: Springtime River Muskies

PostPosted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 9:29 am
by dahlberg
Yes, they will move toward areas where they will spawn, and also, and again but depending on timing to areas where the forage is going to or has spawned.
L

Re: Springtime River Muskies

PostPosted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 2:30 pm
by Rowboat
Would this area in a river be a creek coming into it? Also is there a specific water temperature range that will trigger them to move to these areas to spawn?

Re: Springtime River Muskies

PostPosted: Fri Apr 04, 2014 8:23 am
by dahlberg
Muskies often run up creeks to find sloughs to spawn in. Their forage often runs the same creeks and spawns on gravel. Creek mouths are high on the list for spring time muskies.
Muskies usually spawn around the 60 degree mark.
good luck,
L

Re: Springtime River Muskies

PostPosted: Fri Apr 04, 2014 1:09 pm
by Rowboat
Thank you!

Re: Springtime River Muskies

PostPosted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 6:39 pm
by Rowboat
Thanks for the tips, caught two today, raised 6, and had a follow on the fly!

Re: Springtime River Muskies

PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2014 7:49 am
by dahlberg
Way to go! Congrats! What did you catch them on?
L.

Re: Springtime River Muskies

PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2014 11:28 am
by Rowboat
I caught them on a 7 1/2 inch grandma with a dark green back and a little bit of flash on the side. It was very windy and they were reacting to that bait when I fished it very erratically. When I got a follow I instinctively began to figure 8 the wooden jerkbait but the fish didn't seem to have any interest at all. Would you recommend one hard twitch at the the side of the boat as opposed to a figure 8 with the wooden baits? Again thanks for your time

Re: Springtime River Muskies

PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2014 7:53 pm
by dahlberg
you never know what will get them to go, each one is different. it's a matter of reading the individual fish and the way it reacts to what you do.
best
L

Re: Springtime River Muskies

PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2014 9:31 pm
by Rowboat
Thanks again, caught another two muskies today plus a six pound smallie!