Muskie First
Published March 19, 2008

Slamr: MuskieFIRST welcomes Mike Hulbert! Thanks for joining us Mike
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MIKE_HULBERT: Thanks for having me!

Ballistic: Welcome Mr. Hulbert

MIKE_HULBERT: Thanks Steve

tdp51: How much ice is still on webster?

MIKE_HULBERT: Webster is still about 75% frozen

tdp51: next weeks forecast for your area?

MIKE_HULBERT: cold, but above freezing

Las_Vegas_muskies: is the fishing pressure that Webster receives hurting the fishing

MIKE_HULBERT: Yes it is

MIKE_HULBERT: to skinny and lots of scars
Got_Esox: is it more numbers or quality fish management in Indiana?

Slamr: but why do you think that is evidence of "hurting the fish"?

MIKE_HULBERT: numbers, but lots of nice fish from 44-47

mseybert: Do you think the shortage on the stocking in 2007 will be a negative for the fishery?

MIKE_HULBERT: No, I look at the shortage as a positive thing. I think we stock to many fish

muskymadness: how is the pressure hurting the fish on Webster?

MIKE_HULBERT: to skinny and to many scars.

Bret_Wold: is that something that time will take care of?

Ballistic: what is your go to presentation on Webster when she opens up?

muskymadness: Are there reports out on that we can look into?

MIKE_HULBERT: I don't think so, pressure will always be there.
tdp51: Any idea where the perch schools have been located?
(kevin): whats your favorite early season ice out bait?

MIKE_HULBERT: Open water right off the bat, with big baits

MIKE_HULBERT: Perch are near the sand

tdp51: deep sand?

MIKE_HULBERT: There is plenty of harvest

MIKE_HULBERT: Not really deep, less than 10 feet

tdp51: thanks

muskymadness: The reports I have read from the dnr show about 1% harvest...do you think it is more and if so how much?

Got_Esox: could you elaborate on the types of big baits you use in the spring

Don_Pfeiffer: whats the main food source there?

bighick: and colors

MIKE_HULBERT: Mag Dawgs, 9 inch Grandmas, 10 inch Kickin Minnow, Large glide baits like the 10 inch Hugheys

MIKE_HULBERT: Gizzard Shad

MIKE_HULBERT: I don't worry much about colors, I'm more into the action

MIKE_HULBERT: I also like sucker fishing in the early spring

Slamr: do you vary your size of suckers early in the season vs. late in the fall?

muskydeceiver: Do you think there is a time and a place for small baits at all Mike?

Bret_Wold: I assume you can fish more than one line in IN?

tdp51: any where to buy suckers near the lake?

MIKE_HULBERT: It really all depends on what size suckers the bait shops can get in

MIKE_HULBERT: I don't throw many small baits, but I do throw rattle baits in the spring.

MIKE_HULBERT: 3 lines in Indiana
madmanmusky: Mike whats the first thing you look for when fishing a new lake

MIKE_HULBERT: depends if it is in Indiana or MN

madmanmusky: Mn

MIKE_HULBERT: Deep weeds (12 foot) or rocks

mseybert: ok, how about new water in IN

MIKE_HULBERT: You can get suckers at Ye Olde Tackle Shop on 13

MIKE_HULBERT: Open Water in Indiana

tdp51: thanks

Ballistic: How long do you guide Indiana before heading to MN each year?

MIKE_HULBERT: This year I will be heading to MN June 9th.

Ballistic: What waters in MN do you Guide?

MIKE_HULBERT: Our waters have gotten really hot by June, well over 80 degrees, and 80 degrees 14-16 feet down

MIKE_HULBERT: I guide in and around Bemidji and also travel down to Mille Lacs from time to time

MIKE_HULBERT: During early June, me and Jason Hamernick guide and fish the Metro area

Ballistic: What waters in the Metro?

Slamr: Is Jason coming down this early season to fish/guide Indiana?

madmanmusky: when fishing open water do you find any bait fish schools or do you look for something special

MIKE_HULBERT: Forest, WB, Bald Eagle, Eagle, Minnetonka

MIKE_HULBERT: Any bait will do.

John_Quigley: What kind of reels do you prefer?

MIKE_HULBERT: Yeah, Jason will be down with me again in Indiana

MIKE_HULBERT: I use a bunch of reels, but I really like the Calcutta 400 TE's.

Got_Esox: What is the most productive presentation you utilize in MN during summer?

MIKE_HULBERT: I also throw a lot of Gander Mountain reels with TE handles on them
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MIKE_HULBERT: Most Productive: bucktails

Slamr: When you say bucktails.....

Bret_Wold: What is the longest rod you have and will you continue to go longer?

Slamr: which ones, what structure are you throwing at....? speed times?

MIKE_HULBERT: Double 10's have obviously been the HOT ticket

madmanmusky: Are you using Jasons rods and how do you like them.

MIKE_HULBERT: Jason's rods are nice, but I use Pro Edge rods in my boat

MIKE_HULBERT: I have a 9'6 rod from Keith

MIKE_HULBERT: Speed when the sun is out, slow during the evening with the bucktails.

MIKE_HULBERT: and when I say speed.....I mean SPEED!!!!!!

MIKE_HULBERT: Most of my clients won't or can't reel as fast as I would like them to. To get fish to eat during the day, speed is a HUGE key

madmanmusky: Mike whats your P.B
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Ballistic: keeping the bucktail just sub surface?

mseybert: I haven't given the double 10s a great shake yet in IN. Have you had the same luck on IN waters in them?

Muskyfvr: Is speed still a factor in fall

MIKE_HULBERT: Yeah, just under the surface, but I do like to go slow through the thick weeds at times.

MIKE_HULBERT: I am fishing Indiana in the fall.

pro_edge: What was a day filming with musky hunter like?

MIKE_HULBERT: Filming with Jim is alot of fun, I have done it 3 times now and will do it again this summer in MN

pro_edge: Northern MN or central?

MIKE_HULBERT: Northern

MIKE_HULBERT: unless the bite it crazy somewhere else. Then I will head to another lake

pro_edge: Good thing I screwed up on three fish in one night with you then....give everybody else a chance at them

MIKE_HULBERT: For sure....Thanks again for that Keith....
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madmanmusky: is the gas prices effecting the guiding prices?

MIKE_HULBERT: I am still at $300 a day

Ballistic: How long is a Guide day with you, Mike, how many hours?

Hatcher: How many people do you allow to fish with you in a boat?

MIKE_HULBERT: My guide dates are as long as you want to fish. I had one guy fish with me 18 hours one day!

MIKE_HULBERT: I fish with 2 and myself

MIKE_HULBERT: I don't have a set number of hours. Most full days run 12-15 hours
Merckid: how many cans of monster do you go through in a day?

mman: do you allow a follow boat??

ESfishOx: Mike, how much do you pay attention to moon phases, weather fronts, wind directions

MIKE_HULBERT: I stopped drinking mosters....to bad for the stomach!

MIKE_HULBERT: Yes, I allow follow boats

MIKE_HULBERT: I always know the moon phases and always watch the wind
madmanmusky: whats the number 1 question you get asked by clients

MIKE_HULBERT: Do figure 8's really work?

tdp51: What pays the bills? Teaching or Guiding
MIKE_HULBERT: Both

mman: As far as follow boats - is there a charge??

MIKE_HULBERT: Follow Boats are an extra $50.00

ESfishOx: do the rattle baits stay in IN or do you use them in MN too

MIKE_HULBERT: Don't use them in MN

MIKE_HULBERT: Topwaters, Dawgs, Bucktails in MN

Bret_Wold: Do you do any trolling?

Ballistic: What's your favorite t opwater in MN, Mike?

MIKE_HULBERT: No trolling....but this year I bought some rod holders!!!!

ESfishOx: do you rip the bulldawgs, straight retrieve, jig, etc?

MIKE_HULBERT: Favorite Topwaters: Weagle, Pacemaker, Klunker

MIKE_HULBERT: RIP and RIP them hard

Ballistic: Klunker?

MIKE_HULBERT: I use the Mag Shallow dawgs most

MIKE_HULBERT: Klunker by American Hardwood Lures

Ballistic: Thanks!

MIKE_HULBERT: Amazing calm water lure

ESfishOx: do you not worry about color for baits in MN waters ?

MIKE_HULBERT: Not really. I'm not a huge fan of color. Only at night when the moon is out vs. not out.

muskymadness: Are you going to fish the Hoosier Muskie Classic this year?

Got_Esox: or any other tourneys?

MIKE_HULBERT: No, I am not fishing it. I will be giving a seminar with Steve Heiting and guide all weekend.

muskymadness: plans to fish it in the future?

MIKE_HULBERT: I wanted to fish the PMTT this year, but ran into a few issues. Fishing the Metro tourney in June

madmanmusky: Are you booked up this year?

MIKE_HULBERT: I will be hitting new lakes in MN

MIKE_HULBERT: I am booked up pretty good, but I do have some dates open, but not very many....

Ballistic: How would one reach you to book you for a day of guiding?

MIKE_HULBERT: e-mail: mikehulbert@comcast.net or call my cell: 419-553-6570 or through my site: http://www.mikehulbert.com

smellslikebass: whats you favorite mn lake?

Don_Pfeiffer: mike you need light to have color. even a full moon is not enough to help show alot of color, so why should color make a difference at night

MIKE_HULBERT: I really like "Lake X" LOL

MIKE_HULBERT: Because the muskies have told me so....HUGE difference in painted blades vs. unpainted when the moon is out vs. not out

MIKE_HULBERT: I like Bemidji alot...hard to get me off of that lake.

Got_Esox: What percentage of your fish ar caught at night?

MIKE_HULBERT: 70% or so at night

Bret_Wold: Do you ever fish Planteganette?

MIKE_HULBERT: Yes I do fish there.

ESfishOx: what's your normal start time for hitting the water?
Slamr: Do you see more fish being caught at night in Indiana or MN?

MIKE_HULBERT: In MN I fish from about 4:30 am till about 11:30 then take a break all after noon, then fish from like 5:00 till 1:30 or so, unless the feeding windows are weird

Got_Esox: When fishing at night besides fishing slower what adjustments do you make in your presentation?

MIKE_HULBERT: More at night in MN

MIKE_HULBERT: Slow down at night and always do at least 1.5 figure 8's.
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Muskyteer: Do you free spool your figure 8's?

MIKE_HULBERT: yes I do.

muskydeceiver: What is the advantage of that?

Muskyteer: Do you teach your clients to free spool as well

Ballistic: Do you find your clients prepared to fish after dark for the most part?

MIKE_HULBERT: You can give the fish some room to move with only a few feet of line out, don't lose as many fish.

Riverman: Would you approach a lake with "tigers only" differently than those with pure strain?

MIKE_HULBERT: If they are experinced musky fisherman with a few figure 8 fish under their belt, I will teach them to figure 8 in free spool, but if they are new, usually I don't

MIKE_HULBERT: Never fished for tigers, so I would say I would do the same old same old!

Muskyteer: How many figure 8 backlashes have you witnessed?

DCates: Sorry about being late to the party. What new articles are coming from you?

MIKE_HULBERT: many....way to many....but I am pretty dang fast with the net, so it usually isn't a huge problem

Got_Esox: Do you prefer to set the hook in the direction of the "8" or set against the direction of the bait when figure 8ing?

MIKE_HULBERT: Writing a topwater article soon, when to throw them vs. when NOT to

MIKE_HULBERT: Against the body, you want to turn their head

muskydeceiver: do you throw topwaters form ice to ice?
MIKE_HULBERT: I stop around 40 degrees in the fall

muskycraz: With all the guides up there in the North Webster area why would a first time musky fisherman want to take you over others? What makes a day on the water with you special? What do you offer different?

Got_Esox: Do you use topwaters when fishing open water or is this only an option for the 2nd or 3rd angler in the boat only?
DCates: How about a book? Maybe a complilation of articles?

MIKE_HULBERT: I teach....teach....teach.....

MIKE_HULBERT: I throw a lot of topwater over 25-50 foot of water

On_The_Chew: You mentioned that you use primarily shallow mag dogs. Why is that?

MIKE_HULBERT: No time for a book....maybe when I am done....

Bret_Wold: When you getting married?

MIKE_HULBERT: I would say sometime in 2056

muskydeceiver: how long have you been fishing for muskie?

MIKE_HULBERT: Better action on the Shallow Mags

CowboyHannah: Big fish in your boat last year? State/Bait?

MIKE_HULBERT: Since 1995

Ajohnson: how did muskie fishing become an interest to you


MIKE_HULBERT: Big fish was 55.25 in MN on a Cowgirl...what else..

Ballistic: Favorite leader material, length, and pound test?

MIKE_HULBERT: My dad took me to fish with Rizzo in 1995 for a week. Ever since that it's been Lights OUT

On_The_Chew: What percentage of your big fish come on Cowgirls vs. other baits

MIKE_HULBERT: I only use Stealth 130-150 pound Flouro leaders. For jackpots I will use a 174 pound steel leader

Got_Esox: Weagles too?

MIKE_HULBERT: Alot of big fish on double 10's but I throw alot of other's like DC 10's as well

MIKE_HULBERT: Weagle is definaly a BIG fish bait for me. I always have a box with 10 or so ready to rock

Ballistic: The new Polar Kraft ready to rock?

MIKE_HULBERT: The new Polar Kraft is being rigged as we speak and I can't wait!!!!

Got_Esox: As the fish see more and more double 10's do you feel the other sized blades (smaller and LARGER) will become more effective?

Muskyfvr: What kind of braided line do you use

MIKE_HULBERT: Bucktails will always be effective, big and small.

On_The_Chew: Are there certain conditions where you will throw a DC10 over a Cowgirl and vice versa?

MIKE_HULBERT: I use 80 cortland spectron or Bronzeback

MIKE_HULBERT: Not really, I like both of those bucktails alot, as well as the new Spanky Baits.

greenduck: Do the Klunkers retain their sound? The hawg wobblers tend to get soft and lose that loud original sound. Any trouble with that?

MIKE_HULBERT: Not really, they are built like tanks.

MIKE_HULBERT: You can also reel them in faster than a Hawg Wobbler

Bret_Wold: have you had a chance to fish with the Super Cowgirls?

MIKE_HULBERT: Yeah, I threw the Super Model, really not much difference than the 10's....

MIKE_HULBERT: as far as pulling goes, but you can't BURN them with regular reels

Ballistic: When do you select a jigging technique over any other?

MIKE_HULBERT: Your forearms will fall off

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DCates: "Dawgs, Weagles, Cowgirls...what's the next great bait?

MIKE_HULBERT: I vertical jig during the late fall, after turnover when the bait is deep. I also like jiggin on NASTY cold days when the fish arn't super active

MIKE_HULBERT: DCates....I can't tell you!! LOL

CowboyHannah: Everthrown 10s w/trinidad/torium/saltist....experience? ....line of choice?

MIKE_HULBERT: I don't have to much experinece with the trinidads, but I do have one coming....

muskydeceiver: biggest fish you have ever seen?

DCates: Will the ice EVER leave?

Bret_Wold: Mike, what is your prediction as to what body of water the next WR will come out of?

MIKE_HULBERT: I don't know....big.....really big....can't really say....didn't hook it... One on Bemidji, one on Mille Lacs...one on Eagle....all three were just GROSS big

Got_Esox: Who has been the most influential person in your fishing career?

MIKE_HULBERT: Next world record....it wont be beat in my life time

MIKE_HULBERT: Tony Grant

Ike: what do you think is so special about a bulldog

MIKE_HULBERT: Tail, profile, displacement of water...yummy bait!

mseybert: Do the curly sues work in the same situations for you as dawgs?

MIKE_HULBERT: yes they do

Okoboji_Muskie: have you used the curlie sues or suzies in place of the dawgs

MIKE_HULBERT: Yes I have, great baits, but I love my dawgs!

muskydeceiver: how do you fish the suzies?

ESfishOx: do you modify the baits or use them right out of the package?

MIKE_HULBERT: yes, we have
MIKE_HULBERT: I don't change much...hook size and split rings is about it for me

ESfishOx: what hooks do you prefer?

Bret_Wold: how often do you retie your line to leaders?

MIKE_HULBERT: Mustad and VMC

Ike: how about a 15" soft plastic minnow bait that floats with a large tail
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On_The_Chew: What do you think about the shad clone? Will it be a hit on Webster?

MIKE_HULBERT: I retie about every 5 days, or whenever I need to

MIKE_HULBERT: Shad clone will work

MIKE_HULBERT: It has been redesigned this year and works.

Slamr: Again, how can people get in touch with you to plan a day on the water?
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mseybert: How is the action of the clone compared to the kickin minnow

MIKE_HULBERT: 419-553-6570, mikehulbert@comcast.net or http://www.mikehulbert.com

Slamr: MuskieFIRST thanks Mike Hulbert for another great chat! Join us next week when Luke Breyer of Muskie Mojo Tackle will be our guest.


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