mudder anchors

[Pequod]

This is my first post on this site , but have been checking out the reports for about 1 year . It has been a few years since I have chased perch on LSC was wondering if the mudder anchors are still used to bring fish to the boat and what is the theory behind using them?:confused:

[ESOX]

I'm not much of a Perch fisherman myself, but I have had the pleasure of fishing with Gone Fishin, and he uses them, as well as Danno9 (these are two of the best Perch guys on the lake) and many others. They stir up the bottom, drawing in fish to feed on all the larvae etc. kicked up.
Welcome to the site Pequod.

[Pequod]

What would be the best description of a mudder, and if I remember it is tied off one of the boat cleats and as the boat rocks it bounces bottom stirring up sediment ?

[ESOX]

Big mushroom anchors, but anything would work, I've seen people use cinderblocks.

[Pequod]

Thanks ESOX , I think I will make one out of some flat steel stock with a eyebolt attached thru the center. ;)

[Big Frank 25]

My buddy put some pea gravel into a pastic milk jug.

[white tip'd tales]

there was a thread posted on this in Mid-August I think? Ya I have used a "mudder anchor" for years, very successfully on Lake Michigan with my brother, he still uses one and says theres no doubt it works, cause he will set in a pack of boats only 50' apart and out fish others 5:1. We have always used a full pc of cinder block like ESOX suggested, but I think anything that stirs up the bottom does the trick?

To fine tune this further, on the Mid-August thread I had reported that in addition to the "mudder anchor" another trick my brother and I have used successfully is to tie red and yellow ribbon up the rope of the Mudder alternating it red then yellow etc.

I had heard about this a few years ago from a perch guide on lake Erie in a bait store and thought I'd try it. It definitely works. Have done just the mudder w/o the ribbon with no action, and tied the ribbon on and "WAM" there they are......... the old guy from lake erie explained it to me as .....this is the reason the makers of swedish pimples and other lures ( who have spent thoughsands on research) include those little red & yellow flutter tabs in the pkg of ea pimple you buy........hey Im sold.....try it and see if it works for ya..........Good Luck?

[Dick Graves]

We use two mushroom anchors, with about 2 feet of chain. Even went as far as putting a thin coat of glue on them and covered them with all that sparkle stuff available at hobby stores, Captain T and I dreamed this one up prior to a Perch Derby a few years ago, a couple of the mudders have been lost, so if you ever snag one with a lot of glitter on it, you know where it came from. Don't know if that noisy piece of chain has anything to do with it, but it sounds good. Damned if it don't seem to work.

My experience tells me that it works best when there is very little weed growth on the bottom, stir up the mud, out comes the larva and it seems to draw the fish in. Once they start biting, keep as much bait in the water as possible to hold the fish. Yank on the rope attached to the mudder ever few minutes and you will see some results.

I like the ribbon idea and will try it, never know. They have not even turned on yet in LSC, colder weather, more perch. Love this time of the year and they are so good to eat.

Best mudder action I have ever seen, charter captain has some kind of electrical hoist gizmo on the back of his boat, darned think works automatically. Looks like a short boom from a tow truck, I have watched this guy haul in the perch, among other species, he knows what he is doing. The mudder theory is a good thing!

Later!:confused: :confused: :confused:

[DANN09]

Mudders, don't go perch fishing without one. I use the 8# or 10# mushroom type with chain and some loose bolts through the chain. Keep working it even when You start pulling them in steady.
Good luck.

[Gone Fishing]

Had to get rid of my 15 lbers. Getting too old to pound those things all day. If your into weights, get the 15's. You'll have arms like Popeye in no time.;)

[Downrod]

John, I know you were thumping those off the bottom to call the muskies in. You're not fooling anyone. ;) :D

[Gone Fishing]

Downrod, call in the little guys and the big boys will follow! Only problem is the big boys scare away all the tasty little guys. Oh well, nothing like fighting one of those toothy critters on a light action rod with 6 lb. Don't land many though!:eek:

[tubejig]

Ok guys, I broke down and got one of these things. I have
a question or two for you. When they are in the water
do you usually let them hang over the side so they are
just touching bottom and directly under the boat? And
do you use them with another anchor that would be
holding your position while this thing bouces off of the
bottom?


tubejig

[Pequod]

Thanks for all the imput guys . I ended up Sawing a 6" dia. steel stock about 2" wide and drilled and tapped a hole through the center and threaded a eye bolt in. Went perch fishing last Sunday between the 9 mile tower and the G.P.Y.C. the water was dirty in that area made several moves but never did get into any perch.I have my last Muskie derby this weekend and will give the results on monday. Tight lines , Bob

[DANN09]

Hey Ken, Put it down right under the boat after you'r anchored in place. Have it just touching the bottom. And those us that believe they work use two one on each side of the boat.
TTYL George