When it comes to fishing for musky, choosing the right musky lure can make a difference. The right lure can attract more fish and increase your chances of catching a musky. But with so many different types of musky lures available.
It can be difficult to know which one to choose. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know. So you choose the perfect musky lure for your next fishing trip.
Understanding Musky Behavior
Before we dive into the different types of musky lures. It’s essential to understand musky behavior. Musky are predators that hunt by sight, sound, and vibration. They are attracted to movement. As a result, they are more likely to strike a lure that mimics the movements of their prey.
Types of Musky Lures
There are several types of musky lures to choose from, each has a time and a place where they are the best.
Inline Spinners; Bucktails
Spinnerbaits are one of the most popular types of musky lures. They consist of a wire frame with a spinning blade, a skirt, and a hook. The blade creates vibration and flash that attracts musky. While the skirt mimics the movements of a baitfish.
Bucktails work well in later spring through mid-fall. Bucktails are very good search bait for muskies. Early spring uses smaller single-blade models. As the season goes on and the water warms. Use larger double-blade spinners. During cold fronts, the smaller blades are the better option also.
Crankbaits
Crankbaits are another popular type of musky lure. They are hard-bodied lures with a diving lip that causes them to dive and swim through the water. Crankbaits come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. They can mimic the movements of different types of prey.
A crankbait is another faster-moving lure. As a result, it is used late spring through fall. You can cast smaller versions. The larger crankbaits work best when trolled.
Jerkbaits
Jerkbaits are designed to mimic the movements of a wounded baitfish. They are usually made of hard plastic or wood and have a diving lip. The lip causes them to dive and swim erratically through the water.
This makes the jerkbait a versatile lure. Once you master a jerkbait it can be used all year. Beginners and less experienced anglers will do well in spring and fall with jerkbaits. I suggest using a weighted version that suspends or has a slow rise or fall.
Topwater Lures
Topwater lures are designed to float on the surface of the water and create a disturbance that attracts musky. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including poppers, prop baits, and walking baits.
A topwater is mostly a summer lure. They can be productive in early fall also. Throw topwater lures early in the day or towards sunset. At other times of the day, when overcast the lure is productive also.
Soft Plastic Lures
Soft plastic lures are made of rubber or silicone and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The common soft plastics are BullDawgs and Medussas. These are the lures with large curled tails. A Poseidon has a paddle tail.
Soft plastics are versatile also. These are good lures in cold water since they can be retrieved slowly and kept deep. You can use the lure throughout the year. It is a good choice for fishing deeper when conditions push the fish deeper in the water column.
Some soft plastics are suitable for jigging. A Bondy Bait is a good jigging lure, plus the large tubes.
Glide Baits
Glide baits take some practice, but are essential if fishing for muskies in cold water. The baits use a twitching motion to make them zig and zag in the water. You add in pauses with the twitching motion. These lures need to have neutral buoyancy or close to it.
During the retrieve on the pause. You want the lure to stay static and not move. The only time it moves is during the twitching motion. In cold water, fish take a few seconds or a minute to strike. The static aspect helps get more strikes in cold water. You have to allow the lure to sit for 30-60 seconds at times.
Choosing the Right Musky Lure
Choosing the right musky lure depends on a variety of factors. These include the time of day, water temperature, and weather conditions. Here are some tips to help you choose the right musky lure for your next fishing trip.
Match the Prey in the Waterway
When choosing a musky lure, it helps to match the hatch. This means choosing a lure that mimics the movements and colors of the prey that musky are feeding on. The choice of color is a widely debated topic. Color choice is often region or waterway specific.
Consider Water Temperature
Water temperature can also affect the type of musky lure you should choose. In colder water, slower-moving lures like jerkbaits and soft plastics may be more effective. While in warmer water, faster-moving lures like spinnerbaits and crankbaits may be more effective.
Use Different Lures Throughout the Day
Musky behavior can change throughout the day. So it’s a good idea to use different lures at different times of the day. In the morning and evening, topwater baits may be more effective. The times close to mid-day deeper running lures tend to have more success.
If fishing with other anglers, have each person use a different lure. This practice will show what lure the fish is attracted to follow or strike. The multiple lure types will have different actions and vibrations. This can make muskies get more active. These fish do check out activities in their area.
Conclusion
Choosing the right lure helps with success. The weather, temperature, and type of lure all have an effect. You need to choose lures based on the conditions in the environment. The color is regional or waterway specific most of the time.
Muskies tend to change behavior throughout the day. Be prepared to use different lures during a day of fishing. Plus, as I always recommend, take notes on each fishing trip. Record the weather, water conditions, and other factors.