Summer Musky Tips Needed

[Izcatchfishiez]

Over the last week and a half, I've logged upwards of 30 hours musky fishing at Little Swartswood. 6 sessions, 5 of them I was out on the water by 5 am. Before this, I've been trying to catch a musky for a few years, doing a session hete and there with no luck. However, I'm trying to change that. The only problem is that I've circled the lake with every lure in my tackle box, and over those 6 sessions, Ive had a bite and 2 follows. Those all came in my first 2 sessions, where it was overcast and slitly drizzling. However, the last 4 have been clear skies and there has been no action, other than a 4lb bass and 25" pickerel. Since the lake is a bowl entirely surrounded by lillies, Ive been casting to the lillies and retrieving it. The lake and weeds drop off from maybe 8 ft to 20 ft, and the middle is deeper but completely barren. I thought that these last few days with the new moon, and moon rising at 6am might let me see a fish, but it did not. I've seen some musky busting on the surface the past few days but that's it. I know the most logical thing is to wait for an overcast day, but I know these fish can be caught in clear skies. What can I do to help me catch on the clear sky, hot summer days? I linked a picture of all the lures I've used. The bite came on the 110 whopper plopper and the follows on some smaller mepps I lost. The lures in the image are a 190 & 110 whopper plopper in black, mini Medusa in black, pike creek chub 3000 in pickerel, 1/2 oz white spinnerbait, 1 1/2 oz white and chartreuse spinner, and a black and orange double bucktail with bronze and goldblades. Maybe i need some larger baits, or more natural colors? Let me know any tips.

[NJSquatch]

Not a musky fisherman but based on what i have read you don't want to target them when the water is over 75 due to high release mortality rates.

Just like humans fish do not want to do much when it is hot this is why early and late are the ticket in the summer.

The purists would likely tell you to hold off until fall when it cools down to fish for them.

[bulletbob]

Muskies are more aggressive in the fall when the water cools down.. I would keep that in mind.. Yes they eat all year, but for most people the cool water in fall will bring more action . I don't fish for them mainly because they are a fish that takes a LOT of effort... This time of year I personally think the Delaware River is a better choice if you are dead set on catching a summertime/dog days Muskie... There was a big one caught a few days ago in the Susquehanna, but even there in the river where there are a lot of them, they are really tough to catch in warm water, and very few locals fish for them until fall. Fish of a thousand casts.. That saying is true for the most part.