What’s the best way to get a Muskie to bite?
Dec 18, 2021 10:06:59 #
I am a primarily bass fisherman and I have some lakes local to me in NY/NJ area that have muskies.
My question is, from people with experience; what rigs and bait do you primarily use for muskies? What type of cover do you look for, and what times of year / conditions do they prefer? In the next year or so, I want to slam a big Muskie and I wanna do it without paying a guide service.
I have experience with chain pickerel, but otherwise I’ve never caught any Northerns or Redfins (which I imagine behave closer to the muskies as they are larger)
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by hugekitten223
My question is, from people with experience; what rigs and bait do you primarily use for muskies? What type of cover do you look for, and what times of year / conditions do they prefer? In the next year or so, I want to slam a big Muskie and I wanna do it without paying a guide service.
I have experience with chain pickerel, but otherwise I’ve never caught any Northerns or Redfins (which I imagine behave closer to the muskies as they are larger)
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by hugekitten223
Dec 18, 2021 14:44:27 #
If bucktails are good producers for me.
As far as where? Man they can be anywhere. Weed beds are always a target.
Figure 8 puts fish in the boat.
Early spring I downsize . Smaller bucktails and bass jerkbaits get hit.
As year progresses , get bigger and more agressive with lure selection.
I like magnum jerkbaits and glide baits like phantoms
In late summer I back off on musky fishing . I think in hot water, the fish literally fight themselves to death.
Had a couple I couldn’t revive and that turned me off.
Fall is deep vertical drop off time , sharp points , ledges and creek channels. Find schools of baitfish , white bass, Perch or bluegills.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve been on a school of crappie and they suddenly scatter then big ole mr musky swims across the depth finder.
Best bait I’ve found for this is the Bondy bait. Vertical presentation.
Lots of guys use suckers on quick strike rigs. I’ve done this but don’t particularly care for it
As far as where? Man they can be anywhere. Weed beds are always a target.
Figure 8 puts fish in the boat.
Early spring I downsize . Smaller bucktails and bass jerkbaits get hit.
As year progresses , get bigger and more agressive with lure selection.
I like magnum jerkbaits and glide baits like phantoms
In late summer I back off on musky fishing . I think in hot water, the fish literally fight themselves to death.
Had a couple I couldn’t revive and that turned me off.
Fall is deep vertical drop off time , sharp points , ledges and creek channels. Find schools of baitfish , white bass, Perch or bluegills.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve been on a school of crappie and they suddenly scatter then big ole mr musky swims across the depth finder.
Best bait I’ve found for this is the Bondy bait. Vertical presentation.
Lots of guys use suckers on quick strike rigs. I’ve done this but don’t particularly care for it
Dec 18, 2021 22:47:16 #
Conor.Maine
Loc: Maine
I’ve only fished for muskies a handful of times. They are very hard and difficult to catch. The top lure I would use would be a buck-tail double cowgirl spinner type bait. This bait should be easy to use for you since you should have experience with this bass fishing. You can also use big swimbaits or glide baits.
For location I would target areas with large weed beds between 30-10 feet deep. Go deeper in summer shallower in fall and winter. They can be all over the beds but focus on the edges thats where I’ve had my best luck.
Ive used super heavy mono or wire leader because they will bite through almost every other line.
Always figure 8 after each cast, if you see one following keep figure 8ing until fish leaves or takes the bait. If you see a fish follow but dont bite keep hitting that spot for the next few days at different times with new baits or retrieves the same fish will sit in the same areas for a while and you never know when he’s gonna bite.
Hope this helps
For location I would target areas with large weed beds between 30-10 feet deep. Go deeper in summer shallower in fall and winter. They can be all over the beds but focus on the edges thats where I’ve had my best luck.
Ive used super heavy mono or wire leader because they will bite through almost every other line.
Always figure 8 after each cast, if you see one following keep figure 8ing until fish leaves or takes the bait. If you see a fish follow but dont bite keep hitting that spot for the next few days at different times with new baits or retrieves the same fish will sit in the same areas for a while and you never know when he’s gonna bite.
Hope this helps
Dec 19, 2021 13:45:24 #
Dec 19, 2021 13:48:35 #
Don’t make it too complicated. Muskies like to break all the rules. Yes, follow the basic tips and methods, but seriously a muskie will bite at anything. Here on our local lakes many are caught by surprise by when fishing for pike. So that’s what I do, go after big pike. Sooner or later you will hook one.
Dec 19, 2021 14:11:37 #
Dec 19, 2021 14:52:03 #
Dec 19, 2021 16:02:54 #
Look for the last place you would want to fish: snags, logs 🪵, weeds any place that would break your line and 💲 cost you a lot to replace that spinner or plug I lived in Chicago and would go up to Wisconsin to catch them and northern pike
They like to ambush their pray maybe they hit it as soon as it hits the water or maybe follow it up to the boat then slam it
But hang on tight and DONT try to lip them
Hope that helps a little
They like to ambush their pray maybe they hit it as soon as it hits the water or maybe follow it up to the boat then slam it
But hang on tight and DONT try to lip them
Hope that helps a little
Dec 19, 2021 16:10:11 #
Large dare devils. Large Mepps spinners large plugs all of these in the 5-6 inch range
Steel leaders a must a heavy rod and reel line. It’s kinda like fishing for alagators
Steel leaders a must a heavy rod and reel line. It’s kinda like fishing for alagators
Dec 19, 2021 17:56:55 #
agatemaggot
Loc: iowa
If you are trolling have 1 lure in the water where the bubbles from the prop come up behind the boat, this seems too close but they will come up behind the boat THAT close ! This rod should absolutely be held in a rod holder because the strike will rip it out of your hands when you least expect it !
GUARANTEED !
GUARANTEED !
Dec 19, 2021 18:41:07 #
Agree with Agatemaggot, troll at least 4-5 mph, zigzag pattern, one lure right behind stern bubbles.
Dec 19, 2021 18:58:00 #
FS Digest wrote:
I am a primarily bass fisherman and I have some la... (show quote)
If you can find a double bucktail with two sets of spinners, work it aggressively and pull it to the top from time to time, causing the spinners to make lots of noise and commotion, then let it drop and pull it aggressively again. If you can't find a double, you can make one by taking the bodies of two bucktail lures. It will be twice as heavy so you can cast far with heavy line and you can work it very hard without it getting airborne.
Dec 19, 2021 19:28:24 #
Roger Renne wrote:
Agree with Agatemaggot, troll at least 4-5 mph, zigzag pattern, one lure right behind stern bubbles.
This is a good method
Dec 20, 2021 00:29:20 #
harleypiker
Loc: WA
Well, what can i add to all of the above good advice. I think the muskie count into my boat since 2001 is about 48.
catching a muskie is simple when they go on a bite. They might take anything. How can you predict when the bite might be? Easy--fish all day and when they bite, then you have discovered it. Be watchful for movement. You might see them cruising through under your boat or especially swirling on top of the water. It might last for 20 minutes to an hour.
But the real challenge is when they are not on a bite. That's when all of the various lures, methods, and places on the lake come into play trying to tantalize or anger them. Fishing muskies is 98% luck....the rest is all skill!!
Good Luck!
catching a muskie is simple when they go on a bite. They might take anything. How can you predict when the bite might be? Easy--fish all day and when they bite, then you have discovered it. Be watchful for movement. You might see them cruising through under your boat or especially swirling on top of the water. It might last for 20 minutes to an hour.
But the real challenge is when they are not on a bite. That's when all of the various lures, methods, and places on the lake come into play trying to tantalize or anger them. Fishing muskies is 98% luck....the rest is all skill!!
Good Luck!
Dec 20, 2021 11:46:47 #
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