Killin' Time...
Travis Frank
Will somebody please put me out of my misery already? Last night I hit the water and the graph read a steamy 83 degrees. As I sit down and write this article we are a mere two days before a full moon. Big muskies are likely on the chomp, but I wouldn't know. It's been several weeks since I have wet a line for a metro musky. Why? Like many of you, I have taken the stance to put our resource before my personal desires of catching big fish. In water this warm I don't want to put the fish at risk and take a chance at killing a trophy. It's my prerogative, but I stand firm. My previous article will share more about my feelings on the issue. While I feel that I am making a valued commitment to the resource, it doesn't make the waiting game any easier. I haven't made a single cast, and it's killing me.
To pass the time I've been changing my ways and casting for "the other fish." Big bass have been my obsession, and I've been giving them a run for their money. To add an element to the game, I've been fishing several new lakes. Each trip I've been trying to crack that 5 lb mark. Not only does it make it fun to fish for the bass, it also adds another element to a sport that can sometimes be simple. In the past week I have fished 4 different bodies of water, 2 of which have been first time journeys. Each outing I have found some different results, but one thing has constantly remained the same. The bass are biting!
We've caught bass in Lilypads, bullrushes, cabbage, milfoil and suspended over open water. We've caught them on bass jigs, jig worms, carolina rigs, topwater, spinnerbaits and more. They have come in sizes big, small and in everything in between. One thing I've learned about bass fishing in the hot summer sun is that anything will bite a bass lure. 
While the bass have at times been jumping in the boat, we've also hooked a ton of toothy pike, a nice tiger musky, a few walleyes and some panfish too. Not to mention the always eager lake Waconia Sheepshead.
I've had the opportunity to guide some newcomers to the Minnetonka Bass scene. The ins and outs of the bass strategies on the Tonka weed edges and places to find them. I've found that this has taught me a lot about the sport that I have forgotten or never knew. I have had 4 new anglers in my boat and 4 others that I haven't fished with in months. It's been a sweet time with great people and great memories. As I look back over the last few weeks I can say that I have enjoyed every minute. It has been this time away that really makes me appreciate the sport of muskie fishing. An appreciation that is driving me nuts while I wait. Which is why I plan on taking my game north. And I hope to do this very soon! For all of you that have given the muskies a break over this warm water period, I say thank you. The waiting is almost over. Until then, keep on livin' your dream!