The Muskie Kid's Top 5 Baits!
This is my first time doing a blog, so please be patient as I continue to learn about these.
I was recently asked by a friend and new "muskie nut" what my top five bait choices would be. This question has been submitted to the "pro's" countless times. How can any muskie angler answer this question? With the multitude of options available today how does one simply list only five? Most muskie hunters have hundreds of options available in their tackle box when it comes to gearing up for a muskie hunt. Many times a small handful are used during the outing. This blog will cover the muskie kid's top 5 go to baits.
1. Buck tails! More muskies have been caught using this type of bait than any other. This is simply due to the fact that a buck tail allows you cover a large amount of water in a short amount of time. This allows you to play the numbers game. If you can put a bait in more places a muskie is apt to be, the greater the odds of you catching one. When it comes to my favorite buck tail, I am slightly biased. I love the Ramsell Spin! (currently out of production) This lure was named after my grandfather Larry Ramsell. (future blog about my grandfather and his accomplishments in the muskie world coming soon) This bait is what my first muskie, and personal best, was caught with. When it comes to color and size selection, I suggest either seeking advice of other local anglers, or experimenting and "letting the fish tell you what they like". I am always trying new color combinations, sizes and methods of retrieval such as warp speed, slow, and medium. This allows me to see how the muskie reacts to the presentation thus allowing me to discover a pattern for that particular body of water/area. More on patterning later! So grab a buck tail and hit the water. Don't forget to complete your retrieve with a smooth transition into a figure 8 after every cast. You'll find that you don't see the follow and will be in for a real treat with a boat side strike!
2. Jerk Baits! Call me crazy but I love a good jerk bait. Some people view a jerk bait as too much work. I find them a nice change from a constant cast/retrieve that you find with other baits. My favorite jerk bait would have to be a Suick! I like dark colors and a 7-9" bait. I often find myself "twitching" it more than a jerk. Again, this depends on the attitude of the fish. Let them tell you what they want. As with all baits don't be afraid to customize. I usually change split rings and upgrade to something more heavy duty along with removing the rear hook on a three hook rig. The rear hook doesn't do much more than get caught in the eyes or gills of your catch, which isn't good for you or the fish when you land them in your net. Muskies normally strike from the sides and underneath not from straight behind. So the third hook is really pointless. Most often you will get a strike during the "pause" portion of the baits movement, be ready.
3. Surface Baits! Nothing beats a muskie striking a surface bait! The raw power of this fish blasting up to eat that bait is just fun! My favorite surface lure is the Joe Bucher Top Raider. This bait provides a lot of commotion and a "plopping" sound as it comes across the water. Cast it over shallow weed beds or suspended muskies lurking beneath and prepare for a show!
4. Crank Baits! Crank baits can be a good way to seek out large suspended muskies that you can't find in shallow cover. My favorite for this application is the Believer by Drifter Tackle. Depending on the body of water, my go to color is natural walleye. This bait has the option of being able to fish shallow or deep. It has excellent side to side "dog walking" and rattles for added attraction. I've caught muskies recently with this bait and none under 36". This bait can also be used as a jerk bait! TWO FOR ONE! This is a must have when I gear up for a muskie hunt and I won't get in the boat without one! Muskies, Inc. has rated this as one of the top ten baits of all time! Try it, it'll make you a believer!
5. Live Bait! I know there are many baits to use. But while writing this blog I thought about how nobody ever chooses live bait. So, I decided to add it to my list. Trolling or drifting with live bait can be a very good tactic to use while fishing for muskies. Use a quick set rig with a long fluorocarbon leader and wait for the muskie to strike. I find most anglers will lower a live sucker and suspending it under the boat for the times when a following muskie won't commit to their lure. Often this tactic will work because as the muskie bypasses your lure it is presented with a bait fish right there for the taking. Keep this in your arsenal for those days that muskies are curious but not committing. Anything to up your odds of boating a prized fish is a good idea in my book.
Well, there you have it. The muskie kid's top 5 baits. Later, I will go into detail on presentation methods, when and where to use these baits. Hopefully, being able to increase your chance to catch a trophy fish!
**TIP** Always sharpen your hooks! Fresh out of the package, and after every catch. Muskies have solid jaw bones that are hard to penetrate. A dull hook will do you no good!
Keep that lure in the water!
-Muskie Kid
