I have been looking at lots of muskie baits lately and reading a lot, plus watching videos. The question I have is: Do muskies prefer smaller baits in the spring and larger towards fall? I know that is what everyone says, but I have never seen a muskie angler with a 6 inch muskie bait out. I have seen the 8-9 inch lures used but not much below that. Do you use a smaller bait much? If so, when?
I know that some anglers use the super sized sonars, jigs, etc. early, but the only small baits that I have used for muskies are the bass sized hair pin spinners. They seem to love them at times. So what do the musky masters out there think?
I'm no expert by any means but that's the usual concensus among every one that I have talked to BUT it all depends on the mood of the fish. My first fish of the year last year came when the water temp was about 51 degrees and I was using a 8 inch bucktail burning it right below the surface when alot of other were using smaller rattle baits and smaller 6 inch and down spinners, crank baits and jerk baits. My biggest fish this last year came right in the time period when everyone was using bigger baits 8 inches and up. I opted for the smaller 5-6 inch buzz and spinner baits and they worked during that period for some reason when I couldn't get enev a look on anything else. If they're hungary they'll eat most anything and not think twice about it's size. If they're finiky like after cold fronts then down sizing and slowing down the presentation usually works better. I've seen the contradiction to this also, the only way you will know what works where you're going to be fishing is to get out as much as possible and experiment. But yes I have heard and sometimes go by early, small and later, bigger and for someone just starting out it's a good starting point but don't take it as gospel, experiment.
Thanks JLB66. That's the way I figure lure sizes too. I am game to experiment, but when things get slow I keep trying things including other lure sizes and lures I have some confidence in.
So what is a good selection of lures and sizes to have? I have a pretty good collection of lures now, but need some smaller ones, I think. I did have a buddy fishing with one of the big plastic baits last year. He had a fish nudge it, but not attack it. What's the best muskie lure for slop? I know where some big pigs spend some time, but it's near impossible to get a bait thru there without picking up a hitch hiker right away.
Thanks. I will have to add each of those lures to my shopping list and tackle box. I know where some pigs live in the slop and I want to get some on.
Hey do you fish Mille Lacs? I think we should get a day on Mille Lacs and chase some monsters.