BEASTS OF THE BULRUSHES
A Key Early Season Musky Hotspot
Reeds, bulrushes and similar sand flat plants can be super attractors for early season muskies. Springtime is, without question, the top time to fish such spots. Anytime shallow extended sand flats dominate a particular lake’s landscape, and reeds are present, it’s almost a sure bet that a lot of muskies will be using them. The more isolated the reeds are, the easier it is to pinpoint where the muskies are likely to be. However, lakes with big flats of reeds that stretch across several football fields are apt to hold a lot more muskies overall.
One peculiar thing I have noticed about reeds and their early attraction value is that exposed emergent clumps of dead reeds attract more baitfish and consequently muskies, as well. This is especially true during mid day conditions with any degree of sunshine. The answer to this riddle is quite amazing once you think about it. These emergent clumps of brownish dead reeds are a natural solar cell. They absorb far more solar heat than any surrounding reeds that are scattered or submerged.
Slip along a reed flat quietly and you will often notice emergent clumps of dead reeds contain hordes of minnows. They might also have a group of crappies hovering inside them. Whenever the sun is out, these fish are sure to be right up near the surface where all the additional solar heat (warming water) is being generated. Predictably, musky or two is apt to be nearby.
Spawning muskies simply love these shallow reed flats, and if the water is clear, you can often see them cruising thru in mere inches of water. What’s interesting here is that muskies usually hang around these reed flats for weeks before and after the spawn absorbing solar rays and munching on all kinds of prey including ducklings.
Sight fishing these rascals with soft plastics has become a recent rage. Quite often a single hook rig is superior due to the cover complications of fishing in reeds with conventional treble hook lures. Big plastics rigged Texas style (large 6/0 to 8/0 single hook buried into the plastic to make it self-weedless) are the best way to go. Bass swim jigs are equally deadly in this situation. In fact, I have admittedly locked up with quite a few muskies while hunting bass this time of year. I have filmed several TV segments on this technique over the years. It is one heck of a lot of fun to catch muskies on bass tackle, and man do they tear the place up after you set the hook!
Spinnerbaits are also worthy weapons of war on these spring reed muskies, and I’ve had some of my greatest early season outings with these age old lures. They are particularly good on overcast days with wave action of any kind. Dark, rainy overcast weather, right after a warm front, reigns supreme for spinnerbait muskies in the reeds. Yet windy sunny days with a strong chop can sometimes be even better.
Wrapping things up, be prepared for crazy wild battles when you hook up with a beast in the bullrushes. Long rods, heavy weight braid line and a fairly snug drag will help but there are no guarantees you’ll land a musky cutting thru a field of rushes. It’s mayhem, but it’s also a ton of fun.
