For the ninth episode of AnglingBuzz TV, we’re talking with Lee Tauchen about one of the biggest, meanest fish in the Midwest: The MUSKY!! One of the fastest growing segments of our sport, musky fishing favors the younger generation and the true adrenaline hunters.

Outdoors never tasted so good! It’s fishing season, and we are outdoors at Mills Fleet Farm. When you’re paid to put fish in the boat, you don’t mess around with the thing that puts fish in the boat. Always use the best line. Some lodges are just a cut above, and Clock Lake is one of those. They’re the only Orvis endorsed Lodge in all of Ontario and they’re the four-time finalist for the best Orvis Lodge in all of North America. They feature cordon bleu crane chefs and offer some of the best freshwater fishing in the world. You can target trophy walleye, smallmouth bass, pike, and lake trout on any of their 19 private lakes. Whether you fish with traditional gear or love fly fishing, Hawk Lake has you covered.

Welcome back to Angling Buzz! Now, for our next report, we’re gonna check in with this week’s guest host, Lee Tauchen, as he shares a few of his favorite summer musky baits. When it comes to bait selection at this time, you’re pretty much wide open and safe to throw pretty much anything. During the higher skies midday, Lee suggests focusing more on bigger bladed bucktails and deeper rubber, such as Chaos’ Poseidon Medusa. For low-light conditions, Lee recommends concentrating on lure selection with a slow topwater bait. His first choice personally is a flat tail bait, but he has also been hearing good reports on his new Boilermaker bait.

Now, let’s hear from Jeff Anderson, who shares his top three muskie baits for Leech Lake. Number one on his list is the utilization of swimbaits, specifically a European lure made by Smart Soccer Tackle. This swimbait is efficient and can be retrieved super slow, making it a powerful lure. The next bait on Jeff’s list is the Big Tooth Tackle Juice Mini 8 Bucktail. He emphasizes that efficiency can be the name of the game when it comes to chasing muskies, especially in the 12 to 14-dollar range. The last lure on Jeff’s list is a topwater lure, specifically the Lake X Prop Bait. This bait has a great cloud flock to it and can be fished slow or fast, making it versatile for different conditions.

Now, let’s take a break from muskies and head over to Alexandria, where Joe Sagir has been targeting walleye. Joe has been finding most of his walleye near the weeds, specifically tightly to the weeds. He looks for a sharp, clean break from a clump of weeds to sand, gravel, or rock. Joe suggests checking as many of these areas as possible, as the walleye tend to be stacked on the outside edge. If you come across crappie, bass, northern pike, or bluegills on top of the weeds, Joe recommends trolling the top edge with a small crankb Introduction

In this article, we will be discussing some fishing reports and tips from various locations. We will start with Joe Sagir’s report on targeting walleye near the weeds in Alexandria. Then, we will hear from Captain Ben Wolfe in Michigan about the angling opportunities in the state. Finally, we will explore some cool fishing products and learn a technique of the week. So, let’s dive in!

Targeting Walleye in Alexandria

Joe Sagir has been targeting walleye near the weeds in Alexandria. He has found that the walleye are tightly positioned to the weeds, either in a clump or along a hard weed edge. He suggests looking for a sharp, clean break from a whole bunch of weeds on the locator down to sand, gravel, or rock. This is where he has been finding his walleye, stacked on the outside edge. Joe advises checking as many of these areas as possible to increase your chances of finding walleye. Additionally, he mentions that if you come across crappie, bass, northern pike, or bluegills on top of the weeds, you can even troll the top edge with a small crankbait to target those species.

Angling Opportunities in Michigan

Captain Ben Wolfe in Michigan highlights the angling opportunities in the state, particularly bass fishing. He mentions that bass fishing is big in Michigan, with topwater options available on inland lakes as well as the big waters like Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, Saginaw Bay, and Grand Traverse Bay. He notes that there are still great bedding fish on the bigger bodies of water, late in the spawn. The topwater action during this time is a lot of fun. Captain Ben also mentions the hex hatch, which is a great opportunity for river anglers targeting brown trout. The hex hatch brings out big mayflies, which attract rainbow trout, brook trout, and big brown trout. He recommends giving the hex hatch a try if you’re looking for some exciting fishing action.

Cool Fishing Products

Now, let’s take a look at some cool fishing products that you might find useful on your fishing adventures. Here are a few recommendations:

1. Bucktails: Bucktails are great for high-speed fishing during the summer when muskies are active. Some recommended brands include Big Tooth, Muskie Mayhem Tackle, and Northland Tackle.
2. Topwater Baits: If you enjoy topwater fishing, check out the Pacemaker from Sennett. This unique bait has a distinct clicking sound when the blade spins, attracting muskies. Another option is the Shallow Raider from Joe Bucher Outdoors, which is great for trolling or casting.
3. Spinnerbaits: For fishing around weed or heavy cover, consider the Bionic Bucktail from Northland Tackle. It’s a safety spin-style spinnerbait with a lot of flash and great action.
4. Leaders and Braided Line: When fishing for muskies, it’s important to have a selection of leaders. VMC offers fluorocarbon leaders, while Joe Bucher Outdoors has single-strand leaders. Pair your leaders with a good braided line like the Performance Braid or Advanced 832 Super Line from Suffix.
5. Landing Net: Dealing with big fish requires a big net. Check out the Drifter Tackle net, which has a wide opening and deep scoop to safely handle large fish.
6. Rod and Reel Combination: A great rod and reel combination can make a big difference in your fishing experience. Consider the Mojo Muskie line from St. Croix paired with the Lexa H.D. reel from Daiwa. These products offer the right balance of power and performance for muskie fishing.

All of these products are available at your local Fleet Farm store or online at FleetFarm.com.

Technique of the Week: Bucktail Tips

For our technique of the week, we’re joined by Jeremy Smith, who shares some valuable tips for fishing with bucktails. Bucktails are a classic bait that never goes out of style and can be incredibly effective for muskies. Here are some tips from Jeremy:

1. Speed is Key: Bucktails are known for their ability to be fished at high speeds, which can trigger strikes from active muskies. During the summertime when muskies are very active, you can fish bucktails very fast to get strikes. The Mini 8 from Big Tooth and the Mag 8 from Muskie Mayhem Tackle are great options for high-speed fishing.
2. Consider Blade Size: The size of the blade on your bucktail can make a difference in its performance. The size 8 bucktail is a versatile option that provides good flash and thump while still being able to be fished fast. For targeting big fish late in the summer or early fall, the Tandem 10th bucktail is a great choice.
3. Choose the Right Rod and Reel Combo: When fishing with big blades, it’s important to have a rod and reel combo that balances well with the lure. Jeremy suggests imagining that you’re pedaling uphill with a ten-speed bike. The higher the gear ratio on your reel, the faster the line recovery, but the harder it is to turn the handle. For burning big blades, consider using a reel with a 5 to 1 gear ratio, as it allows you to turn the handle more easily.
4. Stamina is Key: Muskie fishing requires stamina and the ability to physically fish for hours on end. To make it easier on yourself, Jeremy recommends using lightweight performance gear, such as the UPF 50-rated clothing from Blackfish. This lightweight clothing not only protects you from the sun but also keeps you comfortable throughout long fishing days.

Remember, bucktails are a classic bait that can produce great results when fished correctly.