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Post by ghostcomanche©® on Dec 2, 2018 20:27:19 GMT -5
A friend sent this to me in an e-mail. Was caught yesterday at Smith Mountain Lake. 44 inches, 25 lb. Caught by Kyle Smith...  |
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Post by fishhunter1 on Jan 8, 2019 13:35:12 GMT -5
 Looks like we may have caught the same SML muskie? I landed & released mine on 10/31/2018 it was around 44 inches with tail pinched likely 45.25 inches. I tried fishing for them for the next few trips and came up empty. Truly a rare find in SML from what I hear. I'm going to ask the VA Muskie Club if they would hold an event in March 2019 specifically for SML Muskie ? |
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Post by fokromix on Jan 8, 2019 21:55:09 GMT -5
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Post by fishhunter1 on Jan 9, 2019 8:40:51 GMT -5
It might be a Muskie from that last big stocking in 2008 a ten year oldish Muskie. The VA Muskie biologist talked at the last club meeting. I doubt SML will see any muskie stocked in the next few years do to hatchery conditions.
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Post by mwardncsu on Jan 9, 2019 9:13:35 GMT -5
SML is not specifically stocked with Muskie any longer though they will occasionally put a few a year in if there are any left over from targeted stockings - sort of a “bonus fish”, but there are no plans to make a SML a Muskie fishery.
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Post by fishhunter1 on Jan 9, 2019 10:33:02 GMT -5
Do to the challenges the state is facing with the muskie stocking & state hatchery program I doubt any hatchery muskie will be placed in SML in the next few years. Hopefully the current population will continue to reproduce and keep the chances of catching a SML Muskie alive. The not knowing what might be on the end of your line making the drag scream is always exciting for me. Cheers to bonus fish !
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2019 15:37:09 GMT -5
Never been enough muskie in SML to actually muskie fish there. What few are caught are caught by accident while fishing for something other than muskie. I've fished the lake hard for 39 years, and have caught 2, and my bro-n-law 1. Same thing with walleye. Caught a handful over the years but that's all. Did catch 1 that was a little over 8lb in (well, along time ago.)  Used to be a lot of really nice white bass in the lake but they are all but wiped out now. Dang, I remember when I was 1 of the younger guys on the older forums. Used to ride SuperStriper and Leo for being older. When I was younger (not that i'm old now) would here folks say time flys by....didn't mean much..... Time surely does. Heck, I remember when BentRod was 17 and making his mark on striper fishing and mward was a rookie, and never even heard of the Striper Club. Pulling into docks and breaking rods and such.
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Post by Ranger1882 on Jan 9, 2019 18:37:12 GMT -5
what are the type of challenges are the state and hatchery are facing?
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Post by fishhunter1 on Jan 10, 2019 5:37:35 GMT -5
VA Chapter 76 of Muskies Inc. has notes posted on there facebook page more information than I want to summarize. Below is a little information that was shared.
"The holding ponds used for many of the warm water species are in need of repair and production is impacted by the ponds conditions. Funds are being used from the Dupont mercury settlement to help improve hatchery conditions at Front Royal fish hatchery. Funding is limited at this time to increase Muskie fingerling production. The supply of rendered carp pituitary glands may also pose a few barriers in future production."
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Post by mwardncsu on Jan 10, 2019 8:37:48 GMT -5
Dang, I remember when I was 1 of the younger guys on the older forums. Used to ride SuperStriper and Leo for being older. When I was younger (not that i'm old now) would here folks say time flys by....didn't mean much..... Time surely does. Heck, I remember when BentRod was 17 and making his mark on striper fishing and mward was a rookie, and never even heard of the Striper Club. Pulling into docks and breaking rods and such. Bigun - who are you kidding - you always been old |
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Yam
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Post by Yam on Jan 10, 2019 8:56:16 GMT -5
Dang, I remember when I was 1 of the younger guys on the older forums. Used to ride SuperStriper and Leo for being older. When I was younger (not that i'm old now) would here folks say time flys by....didn't mean much..... Time surely does. Heck, I remember when BentRod was 17 and making his mark on striper fishing and mward was a rookie, and never even heard of the Striper Club. Pulling into docks and breaking rods and such. Bigun - who are you kidding - you always been old This is the image of Bigun I have in my head.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2019 14:02:30 GMT -5
Mr. Ward, You forget. I met you where the big school of fish were last week and I did notice, you have almost caught up with me.  Yammi, no wonder you don't recognize me when I pass you on the water, I would never wear a hat that looks like that.
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Post by fishhunter1 on Jan 16, 2019 19:14:04 GMT -5
![]() 01-16-2019 1130 am -400pm Hardy Ford Area SML Muskie Clock 2019 4 Hours = 0 Muskie seen/caught Water Temp. 42 Water clarity good to fair with wind sediment increased after 2 pm One sea gull flew by No Bait or activity seen smallest lure used 6.5 inches no live or dead bait tried Wanted to test some new lures and trolling motor nice lazy day before the arctic blast hits |
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Post by fishhunter1 on Jan 26, 2019 7:54:06 GMT -5
01-25-2018 1100-445 pm Hardy Ford Area SML Muskie clock 2019 4 hours added = 8 hours = Zero Muskie Seen/caught Water Temp. varied from 41-44 average 43 Water Clarity poor less than two feet visibilty some junk in water No gulls seen average Blue Herons and king fishers one bufflehead and geese No surface bait or activity seen likely stuff on sonar No live bait used Large plugs with rattles used Lost on fish in brush three lines and wind created a mess Drove back to spot and trolled through again heading down river caught a 29inch striper Would have done it again but need to search for lure that was floating away SML was gifted a floating Storm Flat Stick keep an eye out could be yours Mercury 25hp 2 stroke has a seized head so used a 15hp short shaft to troll I'm in the market for a small jet motor Also the state created a new web page for Muskie and it talks about SML www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/fish/muskellunge/... link |
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Post by fishhunter1 on Jan 26, 2019 19:58:07 GMT -5
 01-26-2019 1030-500pm below Hardy Trolled three lines two in rod holders one in hand Used 80 pound braid and 100 pound mono leaders Used large plugs average size 8.5 inches Caught three stripers all 29 inch range on bump board All caught in 20 to 30 feet of water average troll depth 10-18 catch leaves in less than 10 Troll speed 2.0-2.5mph about 100 feet of line out no planner boards Casted a little in each area the stripers were caught no luck No bait, no blades and no soft plastics used No muskie caught by me in SML in 2019 yet and only one in 2018 Headed back to the rivers when flows even out  ![]()  |
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