When fishing for muskie and another fish, such as a pike or gar, attempt to eat your bait boatside you may choose to respond with a Bemidji Backscratch. This is simply a firm, yet gentle "scooting"motion or slap with your rod tip on the offending fishes' back. Usually accompanied by encouragement to leave.
When a gar followed my Bobbie into the 8 on Wauby, I gave him the ol' Bemidji Backscratch and told him to git.
by Muskie Madman July 3, 2010