..the dark of the moon (Oct 26th) might even be better. I think the average size is for sure bigger; but I’d be interested in what other experianced ML hands think.
With the H2O temp dropping from 60 to 50 over the last week & no guarantee on weather in late Oct & early Nov I say go for it while the water is still warm enough to keep the Tulibees off the reefs. I have found when they are spawning that while you can still get some walleyes (BIG ONES! BTW)the bite can be spotty and your baits are constantly be fouled as it is mistaken for a love fish by horny Tullies.
I took it easy in the wind, the waves were 3′ high under my lift, and rain this last weekend but I have put in plenty of hours trolling in big waves.
A few thoughts & I hope others add input:
The ML County bouys are pulled 1st week in Oct so the Bosier bros. can hunt out west. Don’t just run out there after dark with out scounting the areas you are going to fish. Mapping chips are good but in 3 footers it is best to know just how close you can get to the reef top with out using a prop or a skeg as a depth finder. I know this from experiance when my s. in law, who normally would take the helm, came to help me net a hog one windy night.
If you are in rough water kneel and net your own fish so one person is on the helm at all times.
Don’t fish alone. Not at this time of the year. I wear a survival suit. The muskie guy that went in the H2O a couple of years ago off Indian Point & was in the lake until he drift in to the weeds by Micky D’s the next spring, made me a believer. Even with someone in the boat to help you being in 50 degree water with an inflatable, my preferred flotation device, is problematic.
Have every thing not needed in the boat stowed away.
Have a plan for your hands so the are both warm and a way to dry them.
Cameras are good. I have taken my best pictures by shining a pen light to illuminate the subject enough to find thing on the screen and then clicking. I’m picky about what I take a picture of because of the flash both blinding you for a while and it sure can get crowded in a hurry after a flash goes off.
Respect ML. This is the best time to fish it & also other than getting run over by some yoyo when the 100:00 ban is on, the most dangerous. People talk about summer storms; been in plenty of them but the worst time I ever had was when I had a “clearance problem” in early Nov. I have a pair of waders in the boat even since that night when the water is below 60.
Be safe and jab a piggie.
October 17, 2011 at 10:45 pm
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