Central Wisconsin Outdoor Report 10-18-12
Well it's getting to be that time of the year when most anglers are concentrating on musky fishing. The water temperatures are in the mid 40° range and the fall bite for big fish has started. We are catching some very nice muskies by throwing deep diving crank baits like Bucher Depth Raiders and large plastics like the Musky Innovations Bulldawgs. We are also having very good action running live suckers rigged up and set under slip bobbers. When running suckers we are using a quickset rig to ensure a quick hookup and virtually no chance of hooking a musky deep or in the gills.
 |
 |
| Jim Kozeil with a nice musky | Mike Willette with a nice musky |
There is a very good fall walleye bite taking place right now and for anglers looking at getting some nice eating fish this is one of the best times of the year. Walleyes are staged right now in water depths of 10 to16 feet deep and can be targeted by simply using 1/8th or 1/4 ounce lead head jigs that have been tipped with fathead minnow. For the best results try vertically jigging as you drift through the deeper holes in the main river system or by working the sharp breaking contours in the main lake basin.
 |
 |
| Dave Blohm with a nice musky | Kevin with a nice musky |
With all the focus being on muskies and walleyes the past few weeks, panfish have kind of taken a back seat. But for anglers looking getting in some great crappie fishing this is a good time to do it. Right now crappies are staged over deeper water 12 to 15 feet deep and are holding about 4 to 7 feet down. They can be targeted by simply drifting through the area running tiny crappie sized jigs that are set under slip bobbers at the appropriate depths.
 |
 |
| Tom Rodgers with a nice smallmouth bass |
Jim Firminhac with a nice musky |
With about weeks until the rut really kicks in hunters are starting to see signs of big buck activity. Ground scrapes and robs are showing up in primary areas of the big-bucks territory and we are starting to see some daytime activity from some of these larger deer. These are prime areas to target right now as the rut begins to materialize. Just this past week Casey Woldvogel tagged a beautiful 11 point buck that scored nearly 150 points P&Y as the buck came out to check a fresh scrape.
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