The end of the musky fishing season marks the beginning of my grind season, but just because I can’t be on the water casting doesn’t mean I can’t refine my craft. Over the next few months I’ll bide my time tirelessly scrutinizing everything musky online. I’m on continual watch for new products and gear, important dates and locations for the upcoming season, and searching for anything to get a competitive jump on big fish. Here’s my process:
Social Networks
Spend your downtime connecting with the fishing world — guides, gear and lure companies, fishing teams, and other fellow anglers. Content floods the web this time of year as companies and guides gear up for the upcoming season.
Scan the social web for new techniques, lakes/spots, and ideas to apply to your game. Every picture and description posted contains details that may hold clues to make you a better angler. Some takeaways are easy to spot, while others require you to look past simple descriptions and Sherlock Holmes all pictures for clues: What body of water are they on? Where are they in relation to shore? Can you see any details on the electronics? Notice any key landmark features? What are the weather conditions? Any notable gear or lures in sight?
While browsing the web and social networks, keep an eye out for gear and lures to start putting together your personal #GetList2015. With the major musky expos coming up (Chicago, Milwaukee, and Twin Cities), there’s plenty of new product details starting to surface. Assess what you can add to your arsenal and start forming a plan of attack for the coming season.
Lastly, cash in on free swag! Facebook and Twitter not only offer up a great platform to connect with like-minded anglers, but there always seems to be some kind of contest offered by a guide or company. After a few weeks I’ve already won VIP passes to the Chicago Musky Expo and a half-day Green Bay guided fishing trip. Opportunity abounds!
For those privy to proper television channel packages, winter is the time to settle in and watch new seasons of Keyes Outdoors, The Musky Hunter, The Next Bite, Fishing with Joe Bucher, and more. Sponge up as much as you can from these guys; they’re pro’s for a reason. While some of them solely fish the best unpressured waters Canada has to offer, every episode usually has something to apply to your angling approach.
For everyone else, there’s Youtube. Thank God for fishermen with GoPros! These anglers aren’t totally tied down by sponsorship pressure, so you can see lures at work that might not have the marketing budgets to make the limelight of the network TV shows. Here’s our watch list:
Take a look at the people SemiPro follows on Twitter, or scroll down to the bottom right of our Facebook page to see who we like to get an idea of where to start.
There is no off-season — just the half you fish and the half where you prepare for the upcoming season. Just because you’re not on the water doesn’t mean you can’t grow as an angler.
Scan the social web for new techniques, lakes/spots, and ideas to apply to your game. Every picture and description posted contains details that may hold clues to make you a better angler. Some takeaways are easy to spot, while others require you to look past simple descriptions and Sherlock Holmes all pictures for clues: What body of water are they on? Where are they in relation to shore? Can you see any details on the electronics? Notice any key landmark features? What are the weather conditions? Any notable gear or lures in sight?
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| New lure by Chaos Tackle - The Pegassus (Hot Perch) |
While browsing the web and social networks, keep an eye out for gear and lures to start putting together your personal #GetList2015. With the major musky expos coming up (Chicago, Milwaukee, and Twin Cities), there’s plenty of new product details starting to surface. Assess what you can add to your arsenal and start forming a plan of attack for the coming season.
Lastly, cash in on free swag! Facebook and Twitter not only offer up a great platform to connect with like-minded anglers, but there always seems to be some kind of contest offered by a guide or company. After a few weeks I’ve already won VIP passes to the Chicago Musky Expo and a half-day Green Bay guided fishing trip. Opportunity abounds!
Forums
Need advice on what kind of gear to invest in or how to fish a certain lake? How about creating a custom lure for the upcoming season? The forums are your best bet to discuss all things musky related. There are plenty to pick from (The NextBite, Musky Hunter, Facebook groups, etc.), but I’ve found the most traffic and up-to-date content on MuskieFIRST. Unload your questions —there’s definitely a person who can field an answer.
Video
Video
For everyone else, there’s Youtube. Thank God for fishermen with GoPros! These anglers aren’t totally tied down by sponsorship pressure, so you can see lures at work that might not have the marketing budgets to make the limelight of the network TV shows. Here’s our watch list:
- Keyes Outdoors
- Uncut Angling
- The Next Bite: You used to be able to watch entire episodes from the first five seasons, but now all you get is clips with tips.
- ProFishermanJones: Mega!
- Team Predator Nation
- GEOBASS by Costa Sunglasses: Not actually musky fishing, but pretty entertaining.
- Musky Tube
- Bigtooth Tackle Company
- Team Rhino Outdoors
- SemiProFishing: Content coming soon!
Take a look at the people SemiPro follows on Twitter, or scroll down to the bottom right of our Facebook page to see who we like to get an idea of where to start.
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