Central Wisconsin Outdoor Report 7-9-2012
Hot weather means even hotter fishing.
The bite for muskies this past week has been outstanding. We have been catching quite a few nice fish in the mid to upper thirty inch range along with some real good 40 plus inch fish. The Wisconsin River system also recently produced a nice 50 incher for good friend Jordan Kelbley this past week. The best bite has been low light periods on bucktails and top water baits but we are seeing some action taking place on crankbaits as well.
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| Charlie Peth with a nice musky | Charlie Peth with another nice musky |
Walleye activity has been good early in the morning through about mid morning and then again late in the day. Most of the fish have been holding along deep weeds in 8 to 12 feet of water. Leeches and crawlers rigged on 1/8th and 1/4 ounce jigs in green and orange have been our best bait for catching the walleyes.
Smallmouth and largemouth bass action has been very good and it is an all day long bite. We are throwing spinnerbaits and topwater baits along shoreline structure and submerged rock in 3 to 5 feet of water.
Crappies are a consistent bite with average catches of 20 or more per day not uncommon. Most of the fish are coming on small jigs baited up with minnows or plastics suspended below slip bobbers. We are setting these rigs up to run 5 to 8 feet down over 12 to 16 feet of water.
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| John Cravens with a dogfish | A couple of good Wisconsin River eaters. | Hank Newell with a nice smallmouth bass |
If the heat is too much for you and you still want to get out fishing there is a great late night or early morning bite for catfish. For consistent action set up above a deep pool or deep part of the main channel in the lake. Run cut bait or small suckers on a #2 or #4 Octopus hook and toss it right into the deepest part of the hole. It shouldn't take long if they are in the neighborhood as the catfish have a great sense of smell and can pick up on food items in their vicinity.
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| Nancy Zelman with a nice Wisconsin River walleye. | Nancy Zelman with a nice crappie |
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| Hank Newell and his son with another nice bass | Crappies are still biting very well |
Even with this heat the bears have been active. Our baits are being hit very frequently and we have been getting a lot of good photos of nice sized bears. One way to make certain that the bears keep coming to your stations is to mix up the baiting with different food. Try cookies and chocolate one day and then pastry and doughnuts the next. Being versatile is the key to being successful.
Have a great week,
Phil Schweik
Licensed Wisconsin Hunting & Fishing Guide
Hooksetters Guide Service www.hooksetters.biz
Ruttnut Guide Service www.ruttnut.com
Reed & Hoppe Wildlife Food Plots www.foodplotting.com