The Figure Eight is newsletter of the Lake Shelbyville Muskie Club.  Members, like Jim Ozee write articles for the newsletter. For a current copy of the Figure Eight E-mail: info@shelbyvillemuskie.com.

Kevin McGill’s    TOP TEN TACTICS Notes by Jim Ozee
1. Crossover Casting -In this tactic, fishing partners cover an area by working together. The first angler makes his cast crossing over slightly into the area normally reserved for his buddy to work. When his lure is back near the boat, the second angler makes a cast slightly into the area the first angler would work. This forms an X-Pattern through the area being fished, hence the name Crossover Casting.

2. Timed Pattern Casting - With this technique, the first angler makes a cast to a target area, and as soon as his lure nears the boat, the second angler makes a cast toward the same target. This method takes advantage of the habit of muskies to follow a lure to the boat without striking. The second lure following so closely to the first lure often provokes a strike from an otherwise reluctant fish.

3. Camping Out - Muskies often work an area in loose packs. Run & Gun techniques fail to take advantage of this situation. When one or more muskies are seen in an area, the best thing to do is to stay in that area and work it thoroughly. The muskie bite can turn on and off several times during the course of a day. As a result, camping out in the hot area will lead to more muskies being caught.

4. Alternating Targets With Your Partner - Attractive casting targets like laydowns, stump clusters, and thick weed clumps are few and far between on some waters. In this situation, fishing etiquette dictates that partners share these key targets. The first angler works a key target, and the second angler works the next key target. This provides an equal opportunity for each angler to catch a muskie.

5. Reverse Casting - This is a highly effective tactic when pursuing muskies. The angler in the back of the boat simply turns around and casts back through the area he and his fishing partner just worked. A change of direction of the lure through the muskie's lair is at times all it takes to trigger that fish. An angler fishing by himself can also use this technique.
 
6. Circle The Wagon - This tactic is especially valuable when the angler and his buddy want to thoroughly work an area like a large feeding flat or a large, shallow cove. Each angler casts in a 180 degree arc from his end of the boat. This covers the entire area surrounding the boat. The boat can then be moved a few feet and the process repeated. This tactic works well when used along with the Camping Out Tactic.
 
7. Hit The Beach - This tactic requires that the angler literally cast his lure right to the water's edge, even going so far at times as to cast the lure on the bank. The lure is then retrieved back to the boat. Muskies often prowl very close to the bank looking to catch crawdads or to trap small fish against the bank where they are easier to grab. Some very large muskies have been caught utilizing this tactic.

8. High-low Approach - This tactic takes advantage of the entire water column when pursuing muskies. Basically, it entails starting shallow in the water column for high-riding fish and then going deeper if the muskies are not holding shallow. One way two or more anglers casting from the same boat can best utilize this technique is to have one angler to cast the water on the opposite side of the boat while the others fish the shallower side. This has the advantage of more quickly determining what depth is most productive on any given day. Using lures that can be fished at different levels without changing baits make this tactic even more productive, especially when fishing the deeper water.

9. Use The Drift - This is a time-tested tactic for fishing extended shorelines or large weed flats. Essentially, it enlists the wind to propel the boat through the target area. By using the wind to drift the boat, more time can be spent casting with less time spent operating the trolling motor. A good drift only requires minor positioning changes with the trolling motor as the anglers fish the chosen site. Should the wind be really strong, a drift sock can be used to slow the drift.

10. Three Rods Ready - One way to increase actual fishing time on the water is to have three rods ready for casting. Each rod should have a different lure attached so little or no time is spent changing lures while fishing. The lures should be selected to cover different water and fishing conditions. For instance, one rod might have a top water lure, the second rod might have a spinner bait, and the third rod might have a muskie jig & tail or a Bulldog for deeper water exploration.

 Chip Christensen "Winterizing Your Boat" Notes By Jim Ozee
1. Today's fuels are the worst problem facing boaters. Fuels sold in this day and age can deteriorate quickly as 30 days. Old fuel can cause gum deposits and varnish residue which can cause starting problems as well as harming the engine itself. With the increasing alcohol content in today's fuels, condensation in the fuel system has become major issue as well. As a result, a water separator is recommended, especially with 4-stroke engines.
 
2. Water separators are probably a good idea for 2-stroke engines, too. Water in the fuel can cause significant damage to an engine, so removing as much moisture from the fuel as possible is good insurance for maintaining reliable engine performance. Where possible, place the water separator below deck rather than on a side wall. Before storing your boat for winter, replace the gear lube in the lower unit and check the old gear lube for water, a milky color, and metal particles. If any of these are present, repairs are necessary, and fall is the best time to have that done. Waiting until spring to take your boat to a dealer most likely will lead to major delays because of the amount of repair work arriving there every spring.
 
3. check your prop for nicks, bent blades, or other damage. Should you find a problem, have your prop repaired or replace it. While you have the prop off, make sure you don't have fishing line wrapped around the shaft.

4. In addition, replace your water pump regularly. With 2-stroke engines, replace the water pump every year; and with 4-stroke engines, replace the water pump every two years. If you run through a sand bar, you probably need to replace your water pump sooner.
 Use a fuel conditioner year round, and Mercury recommends using a stabilizer, too. Mercury products include Quickleen Engine Treatment and Fuel System Treatment & Stabilizer. Stabil in the red container works for long term storage. Just remember. These products are to prevent problems, not to fix problems after they occur. With oil injected 2-stroke engines, keep the oil tank full to prevent water from condensation. Synthetic gear lube is excellent for lower units; however, synthetic oil is a waste of money. Don't use synthetic oil when breaking in an engine or your engine will never break in.
 
5. Make sure you have a big enough battery. The more electronics you're running off the same battery as the engine the more capacity you need in the battery.

Safety on the Water   by James Ozee

Whenever possible, fish with a buddy. There is safety in numbers.

1. Always carry a good first aid kit on your boat, and make sure its' contents are complete (within expiration dates). No matter how careful we are accidents sometimes happen, so be prepared"

3.  Always carry lifejackets and wear: them while in the water. How well could you tread water? What if you were knocked unconscious while falling out of your boat?

4. Don't forget your boat cushion or other throw able life preserver. III rough "water or extremely cold weather, a throw able device may just be the (Difference between a successful rescue and an unhappy ending.

5.  If you fell out of the boat, how would you get back inside? Crawling over the gunnels can be very difficult, especially when your clothes are inundated with water. The transom is probably the best area to attempt re-boarding, especially if you have a swim ladder installed there. A rope can be helpful as well.

6. Is your outboard motor and associated electrical system in good condition and ready to use?

7. Check your batteries. Are they reliable and fully charged?

8. How would you return to the marina ramp if you lost power to your outboard motor and your trolling motor? Paddling a large boat any distance is tough.

9. While you're actually fishing, is your casting deck or other fishing space organized and free of clutter that might cause an accident?

Finally, enjoy your time on the water, and be safe out there

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Common Myths about Illinois
Muskies Reprinted from the Illinois Muskie Alliance Newsletter May 2002

Myth: Muskies eat bass.
Truth: Scientific studies on muskie food habits indicate that muskies eat what is generally most available. In Illinois lakes, that equates to muskies feeding on gizzard shad, common carp, suckers, and sunfishes. Yes, some bass are eaten by muskies, but the vast majority of muskie food are normally prey species. This is no accident in Illinois, as we stock muskies in lakes with good populations of prey species where forage is abundant.

Myth: Muskies are over abundant in illinois Lakes due to overstocking, restrictive limits and barrier nets.
Truth: Mortalities of muskies are caused by many factors, some of which we can control. We are using barrier nets to prevent lake escapement, restrictive limits to increase population densities of trophy sized fish and of course stocking. Wisconsin researchers show that for every 1,000 muskies stocked only 26 will be alive in 10 years and only 2 will be alive in 16 years. IDNR fisheries biologists monitor population structure on an annual basis through net surveys, creel catches, tagging studies and dcctro fishing. We adjust our stocking rates to account for increasing or decreasing populations. In fact, several lakes now get stocked every other year.

Myth: Illinois does no research on Muskies.
Truth: Illinois is conducting significant Muskie research. Some of the first genetic analyses of muskies was done in the early 1980's by University of Illinois researchers and Muskies Inc. The Illinois Natural History Survey recently completed a 7 year study on muskellunge. We now know about finishing muskies on minnows, best sizes to stock, when to stock, and metabolic rates of different genetic strains of muskies. Currently, researchers at Southern Illinois University are attempting to produce all female muskellunge. IDNR biologists are collecting data on age and growth, reproduction, population size, mortality rates etc. Thousands of muskies have been tagged with "spaghetti" tags. Several hundred more have been tagged with computer chips.

Myth:   The 48" length limit won't work in Illinois.
Truth: Illinois prides itself on being a leader in fisheries management. Well known muskie states have all raised length limits in recent years. Northern Wisconsin has a 34" length limit. Numerous lakes have extended limits of 40", 45" and even 50". Minnesota, Ontario, and New York have similar regulations. Some lakes in Ontario do not allow any muskie harvest. In illinois, we have a 36" statewide length limit, 42" limit on one lake, and a 48" limit on 9 lakes. It's too early to tell if the 48" limit will result in bigger fish, but we are confident that it will.

Myth: Illinois is not a good muskie state.
Truth: Muskies are routinely caught by muskie anglers in Illinois. In fact our reported catch rates are some of the best in the country. This is well documented by creel studies and volunteer creel cards turned in by muskie anglers. Most muskie anglers who travel up north would be happy to catch just one or two muskies per week. In Illinois, we catch one every 16 hours.
 LAKE/STATE NUMBER OF HOURS TO CATCH A MUSKIE
 Pomme de Terre, MO 39
 Chautauqua Lake, NY 70
 Cave Run, KY 48-58
 Northern WI (8 lakes) 71
 Minnesota waters 91
 Illinois Average 16

WHO CARES?
Quality sport fishing brought $1.6 Billion dollars into the Illinois economy last year.

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BEING PREPARED FOR MUSKIES  - ITEMS’YOU SHOULD HAVE
by James M. Ozee

You’ve just hooked your largest muskie of the season, and the truth of the Boy Scouts’ concern about “being prepared” has suddenly taken on new meaning. What items should you have at your fingertips to successfully land and release such a magnificent fish?

1. LARGE NET - The’ safest way to land a big muskie is to use a quality net. The net should have a large hoop (30 inches or more in diameter) and a net depth of at least three feet. Treated nets help prevent damage to the fish, and the hooks are less likely to embed themselves in treated netting.

2. LONG-NOSED PLIERS/BAKER HOOKOUT - Once you have the muskie in the net, the next step is to remove the hooks from the fish, and two of the best tools for the. job are a pair of needle nose pliers (8 inch minimum) and a large version of the Baker Hookout (91/2 inch). Carry at least one of each of these tools with you when muskie fishing.

3. HOOK CUTTERS - Also carry a pair of hook cutters for those times when the hooks cannot be quickly removed with pliers. A pair of midget bolt cutters are best, and they are readily available at most hardware stores.

4. BOGA GRIP - This tool protects both fish and fisherman. Whenever possible, leave the fish in the net and the net in the water while removing the hooks. Then grip the muskie’s lower jaw with the Boga Grip. You can now safely control the fish for a quick measurement, photo, and release. You have the added advantage of being able to weigh your muskie using this same tool.

5. MEASURING DEVICE - A locking style tape measure will suffice for a quick measurement of your muskie; however, the best tool is a 60 inch tubular ruler which floats. If you are fishing by yourself, the floating ruler is easier to use and retrievable should it be drooped overboard.

6. FILE - Sharp hooks are essential to successful muskie fishing, and a quality file will keep those hooks sharp while you’re on the water. One of the best fishing files is made by Luhr. Jensen. Have one handy.

7.CAMERA - A photo of that once-in-a-lifetime trophy will sustain those vivid memories of your catch, so always bring a camera. An inexpensive auto focus camera will do. Just be sure your batteries are fresh.

Remember. Have your “key tools” ready before you hook that trophy. If you cannot reach those tools when you need them, they might as well be at homes Finally, reduce the stress on your catch by returning it to the water as quickly as possible.

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