Spring musky location as well as their level of activity are often closely tied to solar influences. In a nutshell, solar is HEAT from the sun. The actual impact of solar heat on any given outing is often lessened by a number of factors such as cloud cover, wave action, and air temperature. It is also influenced by geography. In other words, some spots are far more influenced by solar heat due to their location on a body of water.
My absolute favorite spring coves are positioned on the north to northwest sections of a lake, reservoir or river backwater. These little gems are perfectly situated so a dry chilly northwest wind, typical of most spring bluebird days, can not wind chill them down. Instead, they receive valuable solar sun rays by mid morning continuing all afternoon long, when the overall heat index is sure to be at its highest.
The bank and overall topography in any given cove or bay also has a bearing on its potential productivity as well as its solar conductivity. For example, a very shallow marshy backwater is likely to contain far warmer water temperatures than a cove with high steep banks and deeper water. Dark bottoms in general tend to absorb far more solar heat thus warm up quickly when baked by the sun.
Cover in coves and backwaters is certain to hold individual muskies for some obvious reasons and a few less obvious ones. While most musky hunters are overly eager to find submerged weed growth in such spots, it is often the shallower emergent cover that holds the fish in a cold front. Why? The answer is actually quite obvious. Anything above the water gets more direct sunlight. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a single deadhead, a laydown log, fallen tree, patch of reeds, lily pads, or tiny bed of cabbage weeds. In some cases, it might even be a single weed stalk.
In fact, I’ve actually witnessed various scenarios in this regard numerous times, fancasting all over a cove, bay or marshy backwater drawing a complete blank, yet placing one precise cast over or near a single log, reed clump, or a tassel of cabbage produces a big swirl and a hot follow from a musky hunkered next to it. Big boulders with a portion sticking out of the water can be equally deadly in this situation. So can a wooden dock or bridge pilings. Perhaps these spots are collecting enough additional solar heat that are sure to attract baitfish concentrations, as well. It’s an odd phenomenon as to why a large gamefish including muskies will predictably hunker next to such a seemingly insignificant spot, but it happens with surprising regularity. Some of my most memorable musky catches in the spring have come from these tiny isolated spots.
Summarily, always consider the solar factor in your early season musky strategy. The more you recognize the sun’s amazing solar power, the more likely you will zero in on these key areas and score some victories.
Joe Bucher