Muskie fishing in general isn't for the faint of heart or spirit. Casting for muskies is by my own description a fishing passion that's best left to the most dedicated and determined among us. If you want to catch a monster, but you're not willing to cast for hours, days or even weeks to see success pitching muskie baits isn't going to be your bag. If you want a muskie and you want it in a weekend go easy on yourself and go trolling!
If on the other hand you want to tackle the mighty muskie one-on-one, casting is both the most exciting and satisfying way to add this magnificent species to your angling accomplishments. In the end the size of the fish won't be as important as the fact you matched wits with the fish and won.
On a recent muskie trip to Ontario I learned first hand how casting for muskie can be the ultimate fresh water fishing challenge. Guide Scott Jaeger who fishes Eagle Lake in northwestern Ontario showed me first hand casting methods that will literally guarantee big fish back home on Lake St. Clair, the St, Clair River and also on the Detroit River. Twice Eagle Lake has held the world record for muskie and Scott who grew up on the lake has long since lost count of how many 50 inch plus fish he's landed or guided his clients to.
On our recent trip, Scott's tips on lures, retrieve styles, rods and the all important figure 8, helped me put the trophy of my life in the boat. Those tips are just as worth while to anyone who wants to tackle Great Lakes muskie and come out on top!
ROD/REELS CHOICES
The tradition of muskie casting has over the years called for short and rather stiff heavy action rods, matched up with baitcasting reels and braided line. Today, the modern muskie specialist is throwing longer rods that better enable him to cast longer and to be more efficient at creating wide figure 8 retrieves for those fish that follow, but don't hit immediately.
These extra long rods are eight to nine feet long and must be heavy enough action to support 65 to 80 pound test super braid lines. On my recent trip I used an Okuma Swim Bait rod that was 7'-11" long and featured an extra heavy action. I matched this rod to a Okuma Red Isis baitcasting reel with 80 pound test Power Pro braid. The combination proved to be ideal for tackling fish in the 20-30 pound class. For even bigger fish I'd suggest trying a Okuma EVX telescopic muskie rod in the extra heavy action rated for 50-100 pound test braids!
The rod length and stiffness allow angles to cast heavy baits long distances and also to create effective figure 8 retrieves at boatside. The reel I selected features a power handle that made retrieving heavy pulling baits like jumbo bucktails and deep diving crankbaits much less fatiguing. A reel should be capable of handling 125-150 yards of 80 pound test braided line.
THE FIGURE 8
If you've studied muskie fishing at all you no doubt have heard of the legendary figure 8 retrieve used to tempt strikes at the side of the boat. Muskie are known for following baits. The figure 8 is how anglers turn this opportunity into hooked fish.
The figure 8 looks easy, but there is method to this madness that most anglers don't understand. First off, to master the figure 8 anglers must be able to react the second they see a fish following. Watch your lure from the second it hits the water until you lift it out for the next cast.
When you spot a fish following, speed up the retrieve and using the rod tip push the lure deeper down into the water. When there is about 6-12 inches of line out between the lure and the rod tip, stop reeling but don't stop moving the rod. It's critical to keep the lure moving so the action doesn't stop or change.
With the fish in hot pursuit, it's important to start the figure 8 by moving the lure in as wide a loop as possible. If you turn the lure too sharply, the muskie will lose sight of the lure and may lose interest at the same time. Go wide on the turn so the fish can keep the lure in sight and turn with the bait.
As the lure comes out of the turn, thrust your rod even deeper and force the bait to go deeper. As you near the next turn, raise the rod tip and allow the bait to pull closer to the surface.
The figure 8 doesn't have to be fast, but rather should be conducted just fast enough to keep the lure functioning properly. The key is to keep the turns as wide as possible and to raise the lure towards the surface when the fish is in hot pursuit.
You don't even have to move the lure in a figure 8 pattern. A wide oval works just as well and is easier for many anglers to master. Most of the strikes will occur when the lure is coming out of a turn and being raised to the surface!
GO TO BAITS
Muskie fishermen are like every other angler I've met over the years. They put too much concern into owning every model and color of lure ever made.
The truth is, certain muskie lures are the go-to baits that routinely produce fish no matter what body of water you may be fishing. Those classics include crankbaits, jerkbaits, topwater plugs and big bucktail spinners.
Among these important categories some of the must have muskie crankbaits include the Salmo Whitefish, Jointed Depth-Raiders, Muskie Mania Ernie and Grandma baits.
Great jerkbaits include the Salmo Jack and the famous Suick. Deadly topwater plugs include the Salmo Maas Marauder, Poe's Giant Jackpot and
Joe Bucher Topraiders. In the final bucktail/spinner category, the hot baits are those that feature double Indiana blades like the Cowgirl, Spanky and Bait Rigs Esox Cobra Vibra spinnerbait.
These lures in both dark colors for clear water and bright colors for stained water are all a muskie angler needs to be successful on the water.
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Muskie casting isn't just about beating the water to death, but rather making casts to logical target areas. Casting to weeds or rock is how most muskies are caught. In dense to scattered weeds selecting lures that will swim through the jungle with limited fowling becomes critical. Spinnerbaits, bucktails and topwater baits make the most sense here.
When fishing rocks, a wider selection of lures can produce the desired results.
Concentrate on fishing prime times early and late in the day and come prepared mentally to cast, cast again and cast some more. Catching a muskie on the cast is without question a challenge. On the flip side, when the plan falls together, the satisfaction tops everything in fresh water.
If on the other hand you want to tackle the mighty muskie one-on-one, casting is both the most exciting and satisfying way to add this magnificent species to your angling accomplishments. In the end the size of the fish won't be as important as the fact you matched wits with the fish and won.
If you've studied muskie fishing at all you no doubt have heard of the legendary figure 8 retrieve used to tempt strikes at the side of the boat. Muskie are known for following baits. The figure 8 is how anglers turn this opportunity into hooked fish.
Muskie fishermen are like every other angler I've met over the years. They put too much concern into owning every model and color of lure ever made.
