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1:59 am
January 17, 2014
Hello everyone,
My name is Chris and I am new to muskie fishing as I have yet to catch one.First I dont have a boat so Im aware my odds are pretty slim already and two, Im shore fishing Beltzville. Heres what I ve encountered so far. Ive been chucking muskie lures for the last three years at Beltzville.The first year I tried bucktails but had no luck , didnt even see a fish .Second year (2012) I moved to using topwater lures and Jerkbaits. I had two follows all year, one was in March ( in the back of the cove left of preachers camp docks if your looking at a map) and the other was in Oct by left side of the dam ( theres a spot there where Airport road goes down from 209 that you can fish from shore).I did see two others, one baby pure in May ( Id say about 13 inches ,at night sitting against the bank next to a chain pickerel , which was cool to compare the two ) and one monster Tiger,( if i had to guess it was easily 40+) in Aug around 500pm, both were in the back of the Wildcreek channel .Im guessing im just not getting deep enough or far enough out there.And this past year (2013) i had no follows and sighted none as well.The biggest fish Ive gotten out of this place so far using muskies lures have been a 23 inch Largemouth bass on a Lee Lures Waterchopper and a 25 inch Chain Pickerel on a 7 inch suick thriller. I did hook into something big in april fishing off the rock to the right of the preachers camp docks on the north side of the Pohopoco channel, but whatever it was it came off.So if anyone has any advice, or tips I would very grateful.Not expecting anyone to give up there honeyholes ,just looking for any help for someone looking to catch his first muskie.
2:29 pm
March 22, 2004
Chris,
I'm probably the last one to give advice but the first thing I would advise you to do is to broaden your horizons. Beltzville, while it does have a musky population, is not the end all, be all of the area's musky lakes. I would start by going to the Fish Commission's website, check out those lakes/rivers that musky have been stocked in and then get a good topographical map that shows the channels, dropoffs and similar depth/structure changes and concentrate on those areas close to the bank that show the most variety.
Depending on the time of year, the fish will gravitate to shallows, drop-offs or deep water. They are, in effect, wherever the bait fish are at any particular time of year. While this is just a VERY basic overview, it should at least give you an idea of where to concentrate your efforts.
You are more than welcome to come to one of our monthly meetings, get a feel for who and what we are about and potentially join the organization. Once you are a member and have aclimated yourself to the group, I am sure you can find people who are just as motivated, as you are, to fish with. Hope this is of some help.
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