Advice On Early Season Muskies

[TMF89]

So how's musky opener on Vermillion? I've never fished the lake before, and I'm thinking about grabbing a buddy and spending the weekend camping and fishing. I've never done much camping, and I just got a new HDS-8 w/Structure Scan I still have to break in!

I'm hoping for as general or as specific of info as you want to give me, general patterns/locations, specific lures and color types, exactly what kind of structure to look for, I appreciate anything you can tell me about early June Ski' fishing on the Big V.

On a side note, advice on camping? It'd be tenting, and I'd love a place with boat slips or the ability to beach it, but electricity is a must for the batteries. Thanks guys!

[Fishdoc]

Hard to say what this late ice out will mean, but I doubt many fish will be found on the rocks or mid lake reefs until water heats up. I suspect best action will be had far back in the shallow weedy bays where the water is warmer. The fish will probably be a bit lethargic and easily spooked in these shallows, but I've caught some big early season fish in these areas. I plan to start by buzzing natural colored smaller in-line spinners or spinnerbaits over emerging weeds in these areas. Big baits with big flash just don't seem to generate as much interest very early in the season.

[TomWehler]

Fishdoc speaks the truth I could use it A, B, C good words of wisdom.....but here is a few things from me for FREE me being me the one an only musky T.

I speak you listen!

Sleepers galore out on the great floor, but biters roam freely indeed they do.

Presentation counts more but success can be a chore.

One color can fave others but this is not a time to care.

Just enjoy what you can't see an beware of Johnny an me.

Dips under blankets of green hold beak busters too

Most with experience not really interested in you.

Munchies bring smiles for those in right mood

Muskie like Camping so consider that to.

Its all there to see with correct attitude.

Tune up yer arm an go where John Wayne played.

Sandy an Andy along came Candy all road with him alot.

Skinny & Laurel have luck I fear you not.

Around not far from a clover of luck you can get hot.

Makita & Hull were two greast from the past

Never doubt you can do it round krashes boat rash

Moe & Bear dig it an I aim to pleasez

But always beware of the gamblers n deep trees

She likes a gold earing an swims round it to

fishen here at this time can be lucky n very good for you.

Down an out an up on a hill something to be seen not just a head.

a glow in the dark an not red from the dead

There three and two points in a row looking straight over her sled

An Ace or a club, you only need 4 but sisters an queens win over time

Don't try it late or you will surly flub out, not a real man if you lay around an pout.

JR got a bigge not far from this place, biggest smile you ever seen

You to can get lucky its looking you right in the face.

Only one or two people ever fish in this place

All other to much n a hurry to keep in the rat race.

For you never can tell what goes on down below

This lake has more mystery than you or I know.

Crappie in spring an a cigar on a dock.

Mice look for leeches not far from his dock.

Have fun an enjoy it learn as you go.

Sharp hooks always needed no doubt you will know.

Its uncomplicated or yes yes indeed.

Let yer minds eye see it an read read read.

They will tell you the menu an come round for a bite

It all up to you to be there for offering up pakons exactly just right.

Forget what you learn all winter in a book or a board

think why what where when what an your rolling the right dice.

A photo with a beauty should come in real nice.

just remember the date of late ice.

Simple is best an go with yer heart

Never a bad idea to learn from a fart.

and will you succeed, yes indeed 97.8% guaranteed

If you think like a fish an act like food.

Its all there above to decipher an prove.

So go enjoy it my friend an share photos with thee

Maybe you get one, maybe just maybe three.

Keep on rocken!

Tommy

[CigarGuy]

Musky Tom, Never seen you for a loss for words! I was hoping to read some words of wisdom, as only you can tell. Wanted to end the day with a smile/chuckle.

Edit: read your other post....Got my smile/chuckle for the day. Be careful, the shrivel factor can be harmful to your health when we get older than 50!

[Vermilion_figure_8]

Cold and late spring...it could be tough on the big V! But, you wont know if you don't go! I would try some shallow bays, like a greenwood, everetts, stuntz, some of those east side bays are somewhat close together and they are big in size which means they can hold a large amounts of fish. Make extra long casts if you can to keep your baits by fish that have not been spooked yet. Another good tip is if there is some wind try and make drifts instead of constantly running your trolling motor...it will help with spooking fish.

TP

[TMF89]

Thanks for the tips guys! I figured shallow, muddy bays facing south would be the ticket, and smaller baits make sense with the way this spring is going. Tommy, looks like I'll be pulling out a lake map and trying to figure out some of those spots! Any advice on baitshops and campgrounds? I'm thinking we'll grab a few suckers to throw under bobbers while we're cooking lunch (ever since I brought out burgers, beans, and a tailgate grill sandwiches and chips just don't cut it anymore!). And as far as camping goes, obviously electrical hookups are a must for the boat batteries, and I'd love to go to a place with a slip, are there any campgrounds with those up there? Thanks again guys!

[chucker1101]

Offhand, the Wake-em-up State Forest Campground on the West end has electricity on the lower level of the campground (generally RV area), and room for about 4 boats tied up on the dock - which is primitive. And showers. But i don't think there is electricity on the dock, so you'll need to move your battery to camp.

On the East end, McKinley Park has about 10 dock boat-parking locations, showers, and i would assume electricity. And it's a lot closer to Tower than Wake-em-up is to Cook. And a lot more modern campground than Wake-em-up.

Kinda depends which end you want to fish. There's a lot of distance from East to West on the V, which means a lot of gasoline to get from one end to the other. You'll probably want to stay on the side that puts you closest to your primary fishing locations.

[TMF89]

Well I'm open to suggestions on that! Having never fished the lake before I don't know which side would be better. Offhand looking at the map it looks like the west side is more north, so it might warm quicker? But I don't have any preset ideas on where to go.

[CigarGuy]

Musky Tom,

Was only a posted when I did my post. You must have been doing your handy work and went back and did the "cut and paste" trick under the smiley. Don't want the good folks on this site to think I'm a wise arse! As always, enjoy your words of wisdom!

[TomWehler]

CigarGuy, your on the green!

Later I will spill some beans that are already there in commonflok ENGLISH not my Tommyspeak.

Just clowning 4 late night fun during the game....mostly just fun.

But I bet some of you get some of IT!

Most important things to remember early on is don't do what ya always done an always try to just have fun. If it looks fishy to you......FISH IT!

Be safe an enjoy it all. The only pressure on you is all in yer head.

Relax, let it happen.

Its a FISH!

Eats, swims, rests, farts, swims around acting like DA CRUSHER repeats an in spring makes little fish....make it happen.

GO BRUINS!

T