I had a first today

tennispro · April 28, 2009, 07:35:31 PM

I hit up lake Carlton this afternoon. I did not have time to go all the way to the river. We took my brothers boat since it will hold better in the wind then mine. After catching a few bass on rattle traps

. I was flipping a log with a black and red chigger craw 4". I was pulling it out of the water and bam a 34-36" Muskie came up and grabbed my craw.

I am not going to lie, it kind of scared the crap out of me and I froze up. It was swimming off with my craw and I never set the hook. Now this is not the first muskie that I have messed with but I really was not ready for that.

We ended up with 12 bass 2 of them would have been right at 14". They all came on different colored traps. I did have one on a "woops"y shad swimbait, that flew about 15 yards when I set the hook

It was a good change from the river for a short afternoon.

Buzbait88 · April 28, 2009, 08:41:20 PM

I don't think I'd throw my expensive baits over there thats for sure.

Lake Carlton has some good bass fishing. If you go just to the left of the boat ramp(towards the dam) there is some good submerged weed beds at the mouth of those 2 spawning bays. Good for bass there right now. I was there on sat actually targeting muskies and caught a 32" at the mouth of bass bay.

It was just a little guy, but my first one and fun to catch. The only problem is I think I might be hooked on muskie fishing.

There is just something about seeing a fish that big slowly creeping behind your bait that gets your blood pumping.

tennispro · April 29, 2009, 07:34:56 AM

Yeah that weed line is were I catch most of my Carlton bass. But yesterday they were for the most part hanging on the wood on the south side of the lake. My first Carlton Muskie was 36" and was just a beat up as yours in that picture. They must just about kill them selfs during the spawn.

That is the 2nd muskie that I have had grab my baits this year and I have not even tried to fish for them.

I was glad I did not hook him, because we did not have a net with us. That would have sucked.

Buzbait88 · April 29, 2009, 12:06:50 PM

Yeah I'm contemplating on driving over there again this weekend for some bassfishing. The only thing is that I never really seem to catch anything big. That and i think the river rose a bit from where it was so I guess I'll see what happens. I bet the river will be good this weekend.

Joshawa · April 29, 2009, 12:42:53 PM

Quote from: Buzbait88 on April 28, 2009, 08:41:20 PM
I don't think I'd throw my expensive baits over there thats for sure.

Welcome to my world

Even those little hammer handles have razor sharp teeth, they don't care if a bait cost $15+.

tennispro · April 29, 2009, 01:49:29 PM

Quote from: Buzbait88 on April 29, 2009, 12:06:50 PM
Yeah I'm contemplating on driving over there again this weekend for some bassfishing. The only thing is that I never really seem to catch anything big. That and i think the river rose a bit from where it was so I guess I'll see what happens. I bet the river will be good this weekend.

Yeah,
Depending on the wind I was going to go over again on Sunday. I have a few hours in the morning to fish. Let me know if you don't fish the river and are interested in fishing Carlton for a few hours in the morning.

Buzbait88 · April 29, 2009, 02:27:05 PM

Quote from: tennispro on April 29, 2009, 01:49:29 PM
Yeah,
Depending on the wind I was going to go over again on Sunday. I have a few hours in the morning to fish. Let me know if you don't fish the river and are interested in fishing Carlton for a few hours in the morning.

Ok sounds good. it'll probably be Sat that I go. I have a friend that musky fishes and even though his dad will be with him I might pull my boat and borrow a few musky lures from them and hit up some musky as well as some bass. I'll just have to see what happens, them dang turkeys are still calling my name.

tennispro · April 29, 2009, 05:38:33 PM

Quote from: Buzbait88 on April 29, 2009, 02:27:05 PM
I'll just have to see what happens, them dang turkeys are still calling my name.

I did that Turkey thing one time. I had three big birds found on Public land, but so did 3 other guys

I decided that I liked fishing better then sitting in the woods this time of year

Buzbait88 · April 29, 2009, 05:46:39 PM

Quote from: tennispro on April 29, 2009, 05:38:33 PM
I did that Turkey thing one time. I had three big birds found on Public land, but so did 3 other guys I decided that I liked fishing better then sitting in the woods this time of year

I hunt on all private land. It usually doesn't take this long, but I'm hunting with a bow this year so its taking a little longer than usual.