Why are musky's usually found in or around weeds?
According to a fish biologists musky require much more oxygen than other predators. A Twenty pound musky needs
approximately 24 ppm (parts per million) oxygen compared to a six pound bass that needs 13 ppm. Submergent
vegetation such as weed beds put additional oxygen into the water through photosynthasis (hoooboy! what a word!).
Big musky often seek out these extra oxygen areas. Wind, a fisherman's friend, also adds oxygen to the water. By
fishing weed beds on a day when there's a good wind, or 'chop' on the water, you are increasing your chances of
finding big musky.
approximately 24 ppm (parts per million) oxygen compared to a six pound bass that needs 13 ppm. Submergent
vegetation such as weed beds put additional oxygen into the water through photosynthasis (hoooboy! what a word!).
Big musky often seek out these extra oxygen areas. Wind, a fisherman's friend, also adds oxygen to the water. By
fishing weed beds on a day when there's a good wind, or 'chop' on the water, you are increasing your chances of
finding big musky.
Musky Methods Continued
Musky Madness by Mike Webster
Live Bait
Live bait is one of the most productive ways to catch big musky. Suckers around eight inches long are hot! I was using a huge sucker at Lake St.
Clair, Michigan about sixteen years ago and tied into a big bull that weighed forty eight pounds. It was one of the most exciting fish I ever fought.
Artificial Bait
Bucktails are the bread and butter of the musky world. It is a lure that can be fished in a variety of ways, has a great hooking percentage and is
easy to retrieve all day without getting too tired.
Bucktails
A bucktail is basically an inline spinner (large revolving blade at the top) that has a body constructed of animal hair built on a wire shaft. Deer hair
is predominantly used to manufacture these baits, hence the insightful name. Bucktails come in every size and color imaginable, as do the flashy
blades that adorn the lure. For starters, I would suggest picking up two or three bucktail baits, choosing some small and some larger ones for
experimentation and variety. For the most part, early in the season calls for downsized presentations (five-inch), with larger baits (seven-inches
and up) taking over as the water warms and the season progresses. The larger the bucktail, the greater the silhouette will be when traveling
through the water. Again, I like to keep my lures more compact earlier in the season, and bulk-up as the days grow longer. Colors can be a hot
topic whenever musky anglers are concerned, although having some natural and brighter hues on board is the best approach to take. Brown,
black, and white are productive "mother-nature" schemes, while yellow, purple, and blaze orange all have their place and time. A key concept to
store under the hat is the use of darker colors during dark days and brighter shades when the sun is shining. Choosing the right spinner blade
can also be crucial to the package. For the most part, producing a bright flash and audible sound is the ticket to more musky, so large Colorado
blades in silver, gold or orange finishes, are strongly suggested. The key is to experiment, especially under different weather conditions and
water clarities. Bucktails are great baits for covering water and finding big musky.
Jerkbaits
This style of crankbait garners its name directly from the action that the angler imparts. The resulting "jerks" that are transmitted down the line
through the manipulation of the rod, forces the lure to swim and dive in a fashion that can literally drive muskies mad with anger. Jerkbaits are
made of wood or plastic, and will usually have a small or non-existent lip, depending on the style of lure. Most jerkbaits will dive anywhere
between one-foot and ten-feet deep, allowing the intuitive angler the opportunity to cover a wide variety of water. Although many of the jerkbaits
currently on the market vary in size and shape, the most important triggering effect seems to be the action they take on when they get wet. Long
pauses, fast rises or an uncontrolled swimming pattern all have their time and place. It is for this reason alone that I suggest picking up two or
three different styles of jerkbaits purely for the experimentation factor. Jerkbaits really shine as the days grow shorter and the leaves begin to fall.
With the advent of dropping water temperatures, the slow and deliberate cadence of a well-presented jerkbait takes on a life of its own. For many
anglers, jerkbaits are all they throw come fall time, and let me tell you, they certainly are on to something. When choosing a jerkbait for the first
time, ensure that the bait has been constructed in a solid manner, that the hooks are large and razor sharp and that the lip is sturdy and rigid. I
throw jerks that range in size from five-inches all the way up to twelve, relying on larger lures when the summer season bids its farewell. When it
comes to color, matching the forage base is a step in the right direction. Lures that have been painted to resemble the natural look of a walleye,
perch, smallmouth, or ciscoe are great choices when it comes to stocking the tackle box.
Topwaters
When it comes to heart-stopping thrills and chills, nothing can compare to the results that a topwater musky bait can bring. For those that have
never witnessed a twenty-pound fish annihilate a surface lure on a calm summer evening -- you're certainly in for a big surprise. (I must warn you
- some of these attacks are not for the weak of heart!) As with most of the groups of musky lures, topwaters come in a wide variety of styles and
actions. One of the most popular (and most deadly) on the market is the "prop" style bait. This type of lure consists of large props or rotating
body parts that churn up the water upon retrieve. The surface commotion they create, as well as the audible sounds, are ideal for luring in musky
and convincing them to bite. Stock up your box with a prop bait that is six to eight-inches in length, has strong, sturdy props and large hooks that
will help in sticking that fish.
Another popular variety of topwater bait is the cigar style or "walk-the-dog" type. This surface bait has no action of its own, relying completely on
the angler to impart the necessary rod movements to make it work effectively. They take a bit of practice to perfect, but once you do, they can
bring astonishing results. My advice is to start off with a lure that is six or seven-inches long, as well as putting in your time on the water to learn
the intricacies and tactics that will eventually produce.
Crankbaits
Duplicating the action and visual aspect of their desired prey, crankbaits are a perfect choice to toss when searching for Mr. Musky. Similar in all
aspects to the common bass or walleye crank, (other than the "steroid" enhanced size and length), musky crankbaits create a large profile and
tantalizing swimming action that can fool even the most cunning of fish. Crankbaits can be utilized in two distinct manners - trolling or casting.
Both techniques produce results, with trolling allowing the angler to cover water and casting enabling precise working-over of cover and structure.
During murky water conditions, a brightly colored bait will garner more attention. Many of the crankbaits that line the tackle shelves can be used
to cover both applications, thereby simplifying the selection process when it comes time to buy. For those starting out, picking up three separate
baits that can used for shallow, medium, and deep depths would be ideal. Similar to regular cranks, the size and angle of the lip will dictate how
far down a bait will go. Covering all of these bases, or should I say depths, will help you locate where the musky is lurking and will allow you to lure
him into biting. As with most of the lures styles I have discussed, color is a bit of a gray zone. Since you are literally "matching the hatch" when
tossing cranks, natural colors do make the most sense. However, during murky water conditions, a brightly colored bait will certainly garner more
attention. Choose a few assorted shades of colors and see which works best on your home waters.
Spinnerbaits
We all know how effective spinnerbaits can be to a bass angler. Those searching for musky, with a change to a super-size bait being the only
prerequisite, can duplicate these same results to a T. Spinnerbaits work well because they are virtually weedless, can be worked quickly and
have a high hooking percentage. They create a large silhouette when coming through the water, while producing a great deal of flash and
vibration due to the rotating blades. This can spell magic when put into the hands of a musky man. When perusing the tackle store shelves, look
for BIG baits that are designed specifically for musky or pike. A common theme you will begin to notice is large, flashy blades, pumped up skirts
and oversized hooks. Colorado blades will provide the most vibration and sound when being retrieved, whereas Willow Leaf blades will give you
optimum flash. Good insight to know when you get out on the lake. For those that want to try their hand at night fishing, spinnerbaits are a great
tool for tossing. My personal favorite is a black-skirted model with beefed-up Colorado blades. This literally spells musky in my books!
Daytime fishing will usually find me throwing spinnerbaits with lighter-shaded skirts, changing from metal or colored blades depending on the
condition I'm faced with. Try to put at least two spinnerbaits of varying colors and sizes in your box, as this will enable you to effectively fish during
most conditions, and will allow a change-up if things begin to slow down. Musky fishing doesn't have to be a tough game to play. With the right
tool on the end of the line, your success rate is certain to rise. As with anything in the angling world, musky fishing is a game of adaptation,
tinkering and time spent on the water. By using the lures that I've discussed here, you'll quickly realize that 10,000 casts is nothing but an old
wives tale, passed on from generation to generation.
Live bait is one of the most productive ways to catch big musky. Suckers around eight inches long are hot! I was using a huge sucker at Lake St.
Clair, Michigan about sixteen years ago and tied into a big bull that weighed forty eight pounds. It was one of the most exciting fish I ever fought.
Artificial Bait
Bucktails are the bread and butter of the musky world. It is a lure that can be fished in a variety of ways, has a great hooking percentage and is
easy to retrieve all day without getting too tired.
Bucktails
A bucktail is basically an inline spinner (large revolving blade at the top) that has a body constructed of animal hair built on a wire shaft. Deer hair
is predominantly used to manufacture these baits, hence the insightful name. Bucktails come in every size and color imaginable, as do the flashy
blades that adorn the lure. For starters, I would suggest picking up two or three bucktail baits, choosing some small and some larger ones for
experimentation and variety. For the most part, early in the season calls for downsized presentations (five-inch), with larger baits (seven-inches
and up) taking over as the water warms and the season progresses. The larger the bucktail, the greater the silhouette will be when traveling
through the water. Again, I like to keep my lures more compact earlier in the season, and bulk-up as the days grow longer. Colors can be a hot
topic whenever musky anglers are concerned, although having some natural and brighter hues on board is the best approach to take. Brown,
black, and white are productive "mother-nature" schemes, while yellow, purple, and blaze orange all have their place and time. A key concept to
store under the hat is the use of darker colors during dark days and brighter shades when the sun is shining. Choosing the right spinner blade
can also be crucial to the package. For the most part, producing a bright flash and audible sound is the ticket to more musky, so large Colorado
blades in silver, gold or orange finishes, are strongly suggested. The key is to experiment, especially under different weather conditions and
water clarities. Bucktails are great baits for covering water and finding big musky.
Jerkbaits
This style of crankbait garners its name directly from the action that the angler imparts. The resulting "jerks" that are transmitted down the line
through the manipulation of the rod, forces the lure to swim and dive in a fashion that can literally drive muskies mad with anger. Jerkbaits are
made of wood or plastic, and will usually have a small or non-existent lip, depending on the style of lure. Most jerkbaits will dive anywhere
between one-foot and ten-feet deep, allowing the intuitive angler the opportunity to cover a wide variety of water. Although many of the jerkbaits
currently on the market vary in size and shape, the most important triggering effect seems to be the action they take on when they get wet. Long
pauses, fast rises or an uncontrolled swimming pattern all have their time and place. It is for this reason alone that I suggest picking up two or
three different styles of jerkbaits purely for the experimentation factor. Jerkbaits really shine as the days grow shorter and the leaves begin to fall.
With the advent of dropping water temperatures, the slow and deliberate cadence of a well-presented jerkbait takes on a life of its own. For many
anglers, jerkbaits are all they throw come fall time, and let me tell you, they certainly are on to something. When choosing a jerkbait for the first
time, ensure that the bait has been constructed in a solid manner, that the hooks are large and razor sharp and that the lip is sturdy and rigid. I
throw jerks that range in size from five-inches all the way up to twelve, relying on larger lures when the summer season bids its farewell. When it
comes to color, matching the forage base is a step in the right direction. Lures that have been painted to resemble the natural look of a walleye,
perch, smallmouth, or ciscoe are great choices when it comes to stocking the tackle box.
Topwaters
When it comes to heart-stopping thrills and chills, nothing can compare to the results that a topwater musky bait can bring. For those that have
never witnessed a twenty-pound fish annihilate a surface lure on a calm summer evening -- you're certainly in for a big surprise. (I must warn you
- some of these attacks are not for the weak of heart!) As with most of the groups of musky lures, topwaters come in a wide variety of styles and
actions. One of the most popular (and most deadly) on the market is the "prop" style bait. This type of lure consists of large props or rotating
body parts that churn up the water upon retrieve. The surface commotion they create, as well as the audible sounds, are ideal for luring in musky
and convincing them to bite. Stock up your box with a prop bait that is six to eight-inches in length, has strong, sturdy props and large hooks that
will help in sticking that fish.
Another popular variety of topwater bait is the cigar style or "walk-the-dog" type. This surface bait has no action of its own, relying completely on
the angler to impart the necessary rod movements to make it work effectively. They take a bit of practice to perfect, but once you do, they can
bring astonishing results. My advice is to start off with a lure that is six or seven-inches long, as well as putting in your time on the water to learn
the intricacies and tactics that will eventually produce.
Crankbaits
Duplicating the action and visual aspect of their desired prey, crankbaits are a perfect choice to toss when searching for Mr. Musky. Similar in all
aspects to the common bass or walleye crank, (other than the "steroid" enhanced size and length), musky crankbaits create a large profile and
tantalizing swimming action that can fool even the most cunning of fish. Crankbaits can be utilized in two distinct manners - trolling or casting.
Both techniques produce results, with trolling allowing the angler to cover water and casting enabling precise working-over of cover and structure.
During murky water conditions, a brightly colored bait will garner more attention. Many of the crankbaits that line the tackle shelves can be used
to cover both applications, thereby simplifying the selection process when it comes time to buy. For those starting out, picking up three separate
baits that can used for shallow, medium, and deep depths would be ideal. Similar to regular cranks, the size and angle of the lip will dictate how
far down a bait will go. Covering all of these bases, or should I say depths, will help you locate where the musky is lurking and will allow you to lure
him into biting. As with most of the lures styles I have discussed, color is a bit of a gray zone. Since you are literally "matching the hatch" when
tossing cranks, natural colors do make the most sense. However, during murky water conditions, a brightly colored bait will certainly garner more
attention. Choose a few assorted shades of colors and see which works best on your home waters.
Spinnerbaits
We all know how effective spinnerbaits can be to a bass angler. Those searching for musky, with a change to a super-size bait being the only
prerequisite, can duplicate these same results to a T. Spinnerbaits work well because they are virtually weedless, can be worked quickly and
have a high hooking percentage. They create a large silhouette when coming through the water, while producing a great deal of flash and
vibration due to the rotating blades. This can spell magic when put into the hands of a musky man. When perusing the tackle store shelves, look
for BIG baits that are designed specifically for musky or pike. A common theme you will begin to notice is large, flashy blades, pumped up skirts
and oversized hooks. Colorado blades will provide the most vibration and sound when being retrieved, whereas Willow Leaf blades will give you
optimum flash. Good insight to know when you get out on the lake. For those that want to try their hand at night fishing, spinnerbaits are a great
tool for tossing. My personal favorite is a black-skirted model with beefed-up Colorado blades. This literally spells musky in my books!
Daytime fishing will usually find me throwing spinnerbaits with lighter-shaded skirts, changing from metal or colored blades depending on the
condition I'm faced with. Try to put at least two spinnerbaits of varying colors and sizes in your box, as this will enable you to effectively fish during
most conditions, and will allow a change-up if things begin to slow down. Musky fishing doesn't have to be a tough game to play. With the right
tool on the end of the line, your success rate is certain to rise. As with anything in the angling world, musky fishing is a game of adaptation,
tinkering and time spent on the water. By using the lures that I've discussed here, you'll quickly realize that 10,000 casts is nothing but an old
wives tale, passed on from generation to generation.
islands, points, or timber, you increase your odds. Muskies are ambush predators that wait near structure for food to come to them.”
Musky In The Dark:
Sometimes darkness is the cover BIG musky crave. I use a dark surface lure that shows up well against the night sky. A black, musky-size
Jitterbug is my favorite. When a strike comes it’s often close to the boat, so have your drag set light or there won’t be any fight. Just a big
'pop' when that musky breaks your line! The other thing about night fishing is to not set the hook on sound alone. Muskies make a big
ruckus chasing topwater lures at night... wait until you feel them take the lure, then set the hook hard. Try to keep the fish away from the
back of your boat, if possible. Once he tangles your line around the motor its over! See ya! Same holds true for your anchor line.
Musky In The Dark:
Sometimes darkness is the cover BIG musky crave. I use a dark surface lure that shows up well against the night sky. A black, musky-size
Jitterbug is my favorite. When a strike comes it’s often close to the boat, so have your drag set light or there won’t be any fight. Just a big
'pop' when that musky breaks your line! The other thing about night fishing is to not set the hook on sound alone. Muskies make a big
ruckus chasing topwater lures at night... wait until you feel them take the lure, then set the hook hard. Try to keep the fish away from the
back of your boat, if possible. Once he tangles your line around the motor its over! See ya! Same holds true for your anchor line.
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