Tips

Muskie Fishing Tips

There's a chill in the air, but the heat is on up here in Musky Country. And thanks to an ever-growing catch-and-release attitude, as well as excellent fisheries management, the bite is better than ever.

In the fall, muskies get hyperactive. They're on the prowl and aggressively feeding. It's true that this time of year they'll attack virtually any type of bait... BUT... they're still pretty darn picky about one thing. Speed.

Most of the hardcore 'ski bums I know operate on a pretty strict regimen as cold weather rolls in. First of all, they know the fish are up and active, so they rig accordingly. Stick bait rod, bucktail rod, crankbait rod, jig rod, all tied up and ready to go. Now, no matter where they start or what bait they throw first, their primary mission is to employ what I like to call... the Speed Creed.

The speed of your retrieve is the key pattern of the day and of the whole fall season for that matter. Speed is the First Order of Business you have to figure out, so you begin by experimenting. On topwater, is it quick rips? A slow dog-walk? Starts and stops? Might be just bobbing in the ripples.

Same with the rest of your arsenal. Hair baits can be buzzed, bulged, slow-rolled or ripped. Cranks can run fast or slow, or be pumped and suspended. Jigs can be swum or hopped or fluttered or tumbled or just plain dead-sticked altogether. And the sooner you figure it out, the sooner you'll discover what cold water Big Time Musky Fishin' is all about!

So get out there and have at 'em. Be prepared, put the Speed Creed into action, and let the fish tell you what they want. Then give 'em all they can eat!