If you’re an avid angler, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of catching a musky. During the spring season with the right techniques and equipment, spring musky fishing can be a rewarding and exciting experience. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know to improve your chances of landing a big catch during the spring musky fishing season.
Table of Contents
Understanding Musky Behavior in the Spring
Best Spring Fishing Spots for Musky
Spring Musky Fishing Techniques
Understanding Musky Behavior in the Spring
Spring is a time of transition for musky as they emerge from their winter locations. Since the fish begin to move toward spawning areas. As the water temperature starts to rise. Musky will become more active and start to feed more frequently. This means that they will start to move towards shallower water. Shallower water makes them easier to locate and catch.
Muskies spawn in mid to late spring. The spawn occurs at a water temperature of 48-60 degrees. While spawning and for a short period of a week or two. The fish do not feed. They feed more often prior to the spawn and after the spawn. Plus not all fish spawn at the same time.
Best Spring Fishing Spots for Musky
During the spring, musky will generally be found in areas of the lake. That is closest to their spawning grounds. This can include bays, shallow flats, mouths of tributaries, and weed beds. Look for areas where there are fallen trees, rocky points, and rocky shorelines also. Since musky will often use these areas to ambush their prey.
When water hits 42 to 45 degrees start targeting the pre-spawn areas. Fish will start approaching the spawning areas. The males arrive starting at 40-42 degrees, and females at 45-46 degrees. After spawning the fish move through the areas again. Fishing in the spawning area tends to be frowned upon and is not as productive. The fish feed before and after spawning. The fish likely to be feeding will be in the transitional areas.
Spring Musky Fishing Techniques
You need to use the techniques and tactics that work in the spring. The fish changes behavior and locations in the spring. You need to adjust to the fish. One of the few things staying the same is the catch and release techniques.
Focus on Cover and Structure
Musky are ambush predators that like to hide and wait for their prey to come to them. This means that they are often near cover and structures such as weed beds, rocks, and fallen trees. Focus your fishing efforts on these areas, as musky are more likely to be lurking there.
If you do not work, cover your odds are extremely low. These fish are ambush predators. They have the ability for high speeds for a short time (a burst). They do not chase open water prey often. The cover allows them to hide and use a burst of speed to catch prey. Muskies lack the endurance found in many other fish.
Use the Figure 8 Technique
The figure 8 technique is a classic musky fishing technique. That involves making an 8-shaped motion with your lure or bait near the boat. This technique is used to entice musky to bite when they are following your bait but not committing to it. By making the 8-shaped motion, you give the musky a second chance to strike.
Maintain the lure speed on the figure eight. A lot of people slow down, this tends to make the fish move away. At times, speeding up might trigger a strike. Do this if you get a second following. Figure eight is one thing far too many anglers do wrong. Practice your figure eight or another finishing move for success. It makes a difference in catching fish
Vary Your Retrieval Speed
Musky are unpredictable, they can be picky about the speed of your retrieval. Experiment with different retrieval speeds to see what works best. A slow steady retrieve is often effective, but sometimes a faster or erratic retrieve can be more enticing. You need to do what the fish wants, not what looks good to you.
Use slower lures to start; soft plastics, glides, and jerk baits work well. Downsizing the lures is helpful also. There are more fish caught on 5-6 inch lures. The bigger lures are for catching big fish. Use your 10-inch or bigger lures in summer.
Shop for Musky Lures on Amazon
Conclusions
Catching a musky is a challenge. But with the right techniques and a bit of patience, it’s definitely achievable. By understanding musky behavior in the spring, using the right gear, focusing on cover and structure, using the figure 8 technique, varying your retrieval speed, and fishing at the right times. You’ll be well on your way to catching the elusive fish.