Lures for muskie fishing fall into three basic types: Crank Baits, Spinner Baits and Jerk Baits. There are many different models and colors available in most tackle shops.
Crank Baits
Classic Crank Baits float on the surface or suspend in the water, but will dive under the surface of the water and swim with a side-to-side wobbling movement (hence the alternative name wobbler) upon retrieval. Plastic Crank Baits can dive to either a very shallow depth, due to a small lip, or to a moderately deep depth (i.e. several meters), due to a large lip. As for wood Crank Baits, the size of the lip is not what makes your depths increase or decrease, but rather, it is the way you bend the lip or eye. Sometimes, Crank Baits are named after their diving ability, e.g. "deep-diver" or "shallow-diver". Crank Baits can also be designed to hover (neutral buoyancy), sink slowly, or sink rapidly. Some have a small metal ball inside to "rattle" when retrieved.
The idea of fly-fishing for muskie just isn't an innovative new one. Publications in print in the 19th century, as well as as a matter of fact earlier, explain the idea of catching the principal freshwater predator by means of hooks dressed with cocktails of fur and feather. Even more recently fly-fishing for muskie has grown-up in acceptance, not only as a replacement to the customary techniques used by muskie fishermen, but additionally being a inventive challenge for an increasing variety of sport fly fishermen rising from the more established game angling background.
Most anglers think big when hunting lunker muskie, but if you want to catch more muskie think smaller baits and tackle. I caught my biggest muskellunge while fishing walleye with a plastic worm in September. More often than can be considered coincidental people catch a lunge while fishing other species. Most anglers look to heavy tackle, large baits and trolling as the way to catch muskies. Personally I become bored or just tired of trolling all the time.
Now one of my most successful tactics used especially in the fall is used for fishing large walleye and at the same time muskellunge. I use medium size tackle and large walleye baits especially jigs. Fishing weed lines, drop offs and shoals as you would for walleyes will also attract as many lunge as walleyes. The first time I realised this I did have some success for large walleyes and had just caught and released a nice 7 pounder that was followed to the boat by a large muskie.
Due to the size, power of the fish, the strain of the lures themselves, muskie fishing is unlike any other freshwater fishing -- it requires specialized tackle from the rod to the lure and everything in between. I am hoping this guide will give you an idea of what is required before heading to a vendor interested in separating you from your hard earned cash. I am hesitant naming specific brands until they start putting food on my table -- however, do keep in mind, you get what you pay for. There are no shortcuts and I guarantee you, skimping now will result in lost fish, broken gear and ultimately, spending more later. Do it right the first time!
The idea of fly-fishing for muskie just isn't an innovative new one. Publications in print in the 19th century, as well as as a matter of fact earlier, explain the idea of catching the principal freshwater predator by means of hooks dressed with cocktails of fur and feather. Even more recently fly-fishing for muskie has grown-up in acceptance, not only as a replacement to the customary techniques used by muskie fishermen, but additionally being a inventive challenge for an increasing variety of sport fly fishermen rising from the more established game angling background.
