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STATE OF THE ART FISHING LURES
by Jim Smith
BUCKTAILS & SPINNER BAITS
  • Account for approximately 47% of muskies caught
  • Rod: Usually requires longer rod 6'-6" to 7'-6" medium action or faster tip
  • Line: Most anglers use monofilament 12# minimum
  • BLADE offers two attractions
    Vibration
    Flash
  • Hammered finishes are more refractive
  • Smooth finished are more reflective
  • Painted blades work best in stained water
  • Blades with prism finishes will give you more flash
  • Single blades produce the strongest vibration
  • Tandem blades more flash and water resistance for slower presentations
  • Use Willow blades in heavy weeds
  • Best Months: July, August, June (best for spinners)
DIVING PLUGS (Subsurface lures)
  • Account for approximately 20% of muskies caught
  • Keys are
    Proper presentation
    Speed
    Depth control
  • Rod: Usually 7' to 7'-6" medium action rods are preferred
  • Line: Monofilament still works good for these types of lures especially for getting deeper
  • Jointed lures offer more vibration and visual appeal for muskies (minnow lures)
  • Replace standard hooks with split rings and hanging hooks to improve hooking range and rotation. Also consider increasing hook size.
  • Trigger strikes with erratic retrieve
  • In dark or stained water use
    fluorescent colors
    rattles
    slower retrieves
  • Use "count down" technique for depth control
  • For maximum depth
    use lighter line and moderate retrieve
    change lips on lures (bigger lips)or bend lip to increase angle
    use slip sinker
    wrap hook shank with lead
  • Weighted lures or neutral buoyant lures will get deeper
  • Troll with down riggers and planner boards
  • Lure Types
    Crankbaits
    Minnow plugs (Gries Essox Minnow, jointed lures)
    Trolling plugs (Bagley, Believer, Depth Raider, Grandma)
    Vibrating plugs (Gries Ojibiwa, Storm Thunderstick)
  • Best Months: Mid summer for suspended muskies
GLIDERS-TWITCHERS-JERKBAITS Examples: Eddie, Reef Hawg, Suick
  • Account for approximately 16% of muskies caught
  • Muskies usually hit at the end of the jerk when the lure slows or stops.
  • Rod: Requires a shorter stouter rod 5'-6" to 6' -6" Heavy action
  • Line: Usually required Dacron line minimum 30# most prefer 36#
  • Leader: Straight steel leaders are important to produce the gliding action after the "jerk"
  • Vertical Jerk baits (Suick)
  • Horizontal Jerkbaits (Gries Striker)
  • Surface Jerkbaits (Eddie)
  • Do not use a straight retrieve
  • Use erratic retrieve
    jerk rod from side-to-side
    one side (right side) each time
    down each time
  • Figure eight at the boat - increases strikes by 40% Be sure to free spool line on strike
  • Increase speed if you see a muskie following DO NOT STOP your retrieve
  • Large jerkbaits are particularly effective for fishing cold-water periods or late fall fishing.
  • Lure Types
    Divers (Suick)
    Gliders (Gries Striker, Eddie bait)
    Twitchers (Cassen)
  • Shapes
    Round, torpedo shaped
    Flatter-shaped jerks
  • Best Months: July, September, August
TOPWATER (Surface Lures)
  • Good for mid-summer fishing and night fishing
  • Good for locating muskies in an area.
  • Get the most follows by muskies.
  • Can be fished fast or slow and offer good profiles
  • Generally used to imitate injured fish floundering around on the surface.
    Best to use this presentation first
    Can also be used with a fast retrieve to simulate an escaping fish
    Use lures that create splash, noise, etc. with propellers to attract fish.
  • Most productive in clear water with temperatures above 65 degrees.
  • Lure types
    Propbaits
    Buzzbaits
    Single spin
    Double spin (Tandem)
    In-line Buzzers
    Crawlers (Hawg wobbler)
    Stickbaits
  • Best Months: July, September, June
LURE PRESENTATIONS
When & Where to use various lures
  • SPRING-smaller lures (6"-8") slower retrieves
    • Slow retrieve in cold water when water temperature is 60 to 68
    • Slow retrieve in dirty or dark water colors
      Dark water bright colors Chartreuse, Orange blades - Fluorescent shades or black to offer a stronger silhouette
      Clear water dark colors, Nickle blades, Natural, Black overcastskies, white on clear skies
  • Larger lures in the FALL 9"-13"
    • Fast retrieve when water temperatures are 60 to 78 degrees also good in clear water.
    • Vary speed of retrieve based upon water conditions
    • Peak fishing temperature 63, active range 55 to 72
  • Best lures: Mepps Giant Killer Bucktail and Cisco Kid
  • Best Single Color: Black, Yellow, Green
  • Best Color Combinations: Green/Yellow
  • The Bigger the Bait, The Bigger the fish
Techniques:
  • Leaders should be at least as long as your lure: 9" to 12" preferred
  • Sharp hooks
  • Figure 8'n (free spooling)
  • Count down
  • Walking the dog
  • Bulging
  • Locate fish with topwater (surface) lures and bucktails-Return later
  • Change locations frequently
  • Fan cast to different spots to cover each area thoroughly.
  • Last hour of the day and low light conditions best time for muskies.
  • Watch for a falling barometer preceding a storm front.

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Content Updated Feb. 8, 2008
Minor update June 12, 2010