01-11-2004, 12:34 AM
AFTER YOU'VE MASTERED PIKE , YOU'LL WANT TO GIVE MUSKEY A TRY AS WELL . HERE'S SOME TIPS .
MUSKIE TIPS
Crankbaits: Believer, Creek Chub Pikie Minnow, DepthRaider, Grandma, Slammer Deep Diver, Swim Whizz and Teknek. These lures usually produce well when fished along weedbed edges although cranks can produce when muskies suspend during summer months or take up a holding pattern away from structure.
Jerkbaits: Bobbie Bait, Bull Dawg, Burt Bait, Eddie Bait, Manta Hang 10, Reef Hawg, Rizzo Jerk, Smitty and Suick. Jerkbaits get their action by being jerked. Give the lure one pull (jerk) with the rodtip and the lure will dive slightly to one side, and the next jerk will cause it to swim the opposite way. Jerkbaits rise toward the surface after each jerk, and some savey anglers give the lure a double jerk for faster side-to-side action. Don't overdo a jerk; at times a rod tip tap will cause the lure to change directions. Give it a try.
Spinnerbaits: Try the Bucher Inhaler, Eagle Tail, Funky Chicken, Ghosttail, Mepps Musky Killer, Rizzo Whizz, Shumway Hot Tail, Stump Hawg and the Tru/Tail. I prefer to use 30-pound monofilament or FireLine for spinnerbaits, and a high-speed reel is needed. In cold water, muskies are slow to hit a spinnerbait but during hot summer months, crank that rascal hard. My method is to begin the retrieve before the lure hits the water, and don't slow down for anything. If a muskie starts following the spinnerbait, reel even faster.
Surface lures: These lures are fun to fish because the strike is visible and savage. Good lures include the Creeper, Hammerhead, Hawg Wobbler, Knucklehead, Sky Walker, Stompers, Tally Wacker and Top Kick. Muskie-size Jitterbugs also take fish. Fish 'em slow, especially when you know a fish lives nearby.
Stand-and-cast: Many muskie boats have flat, stable floors like a bass boat, and in calm water standing and casting from a motionless or drifting boat is not dangerous unless the angler is fishing alone. New inflatable personal flotation devices are a wise consideration. Standing allows greater visibility through polarized sunglasses, and a muskie can hit as soon as the lure smacks the water or anytime during the retrieve. Polaroid sunglasses allow anglers to see following fish because these lens cut surface glare on the water.
Muskies at boatside: The oldtime figure 8 rod tip movement keeps the lure traveling at all times but many anglers have learned that a circular movement makes it easier for a muskie to follow the lure. My preference is the circular routine, but this is important when using either method: never stop the lure. Keep it moving as long as the muskie is visible. That said, most muskies that hit are never seen; they zoom up from the depths and take the lure with ferocity and splashing water. One other muskie trick is to submerg the rod tip while doing a figure 8 or circular motion. Try both methods.
Where to find fish: Muskies are opportunistic feeders and they usually attack from ambush. Weedbeds, rocky bars, reefs, dropoff edges or near submerged timber are hotspots.
However, don't miss the chance to fish at midlevel depths. Muskies can and do suspend, and lures that cover the middle depths near submerged islands or offshore shoals, can be productive.
Clothing: wear dark colors. My choice is usually a camouflage hat and shirt. Use dark rods like an ugly stick whenever possible.
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MUSKIE TIPS
Crankbaits: Believer, Creek Chub Pikie Minnow, DepthRaider, Grandma, Slammer Deep Diver, Swim Whizz and Teknek. These lures usually produce well when fished along weedbed edges although cranks can produce when muskies suspend during summer months or take up a holding pattern away from structure.
Jerkbaits: Bobbie Bait, Bull Dawg, Burt Bait, Eddie Bait, Manta Hang 10, Reef Hawg, Rizzo Jerk, Smitty and Suick. Jerkbaits get their action by being jerked. Give the lure one pull (jerk) with the rodtip and the lure will dive slightly to one side, and the next jerk will cause it to swim the opposite way. Jerkbaits rise toward the surface after each jerk, and some savey anglers give the lure a double jerk for faster side-to-side action. Don't overdo a jerk; at times a rod tip tap will cause the lure to change directions. Give it a try.
Spinnerbaits: Try the Bucher Inhaler, Eagle Tail, Funky Chicken, Ghosttail, Mepps Musky Killer, Rizzo Whizz, Shumway Hot Tail, Stump Hawg and the Tru/Tail. I prefer to use 30-pound monofilament or FireLine for spinnerbaits, and a high-speed reel is needed. In cold water, muskies are slow to hit a spinnerbait but during hot summer months, crank that rascal hard. My method is to begin the retrieve before the lure hits the water, and don't slow down for anything. If a muskie starts following the spinnerbait, reel even faster.
Surface lures: These lures are fun to fish because the strike is visible and savage. Good lures include the Creeper, Hammerhead, Hawg Wobbler, Knucklehead, Sky Walker, Stompers, Tally Wacker and Top Kick. Muskie-size Jitterbugs also take fish. Fish 'em slow, especially when you know a fish lives nearby.
Stand-and-cast: Many muskie boats have flat, stable floors like a bass boat, and in calm water standing and casting from a motionless or drifting boat is not dangerous unless the angler is fishing alone. New inflatable personal flotation devices are a wise consideration. Standing allows greater visibility through polarized sunglasses, and a muskie can hit as soon as the lure smacks the water or anytime during the retrieve. Polaroid sunglasses allow anglers to see following fish because these lens cut surface glare on the water.
Muskies at boatside: The oldtime figure 8 rod tip movement keeps the lure traveling at all times but many anglers have learned that a circular movement makes it easier for a muskie to follow the lure. My preference is the circular routine, but this is important when using either method: never stop the lure. Keep it moving as long as the muskie is visible. That said, most muskies that hit are never seen; they zoom up from the depths and take the lure with ferocity and splashing water. One other muskie trick is to submerg the rod tip while doing a figure 8 or circular motion. Try both methods.
Where to find fish: Muskies are opportunistic feeders and they usually attack from ambush. Weedbeds, rocky bars, reefs, dropoff edges or near submerged timber are hotspots.
However, don't miss the chance to fish at midlevel depths. Muskies can and do suspend, and lures that cover the middle depths near submerged islands or offshore shoals, can be productive.
Clothing: wear dark colors. My choice is usually a camouflage hat and shirt. Use dark rods like an ugly stick whenever possible.
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