[stag_button url=\"<\/span>https:\/\/www.sail.ca\/en\/collections\/fishing\/musky<\/span>\" style=\"black\" size=\"medium\" type=\"normal\" target=\"_blank\" icon=\"\" icon_order=\"before\"]Musky Fishing Equipment[\/stag_button]<\/span><\/p>"},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","content_anchor":true,"anchor_link_text":"Get Precise With Your Presentation","text_content":"1. Get Precise With Your Presentation<\/h2>\r\nOne of the best ways to improve musky catch rates is to be more precise with presentations. For example, when casting for musky, always look for structure and cover where a musky might be positioned to ambush prey. Getting your lure near this target is key. To do this, first cast the lure beyond the spot and then retrieve it into the target area. Casting directly at a prime spot can be a bad idea as the lure\u2019s splashdown risks startling a musky.\r\nPresentation precision is also critical when trolling. Experienced musky anglers often use line counter reels to monitor the distance their lure is from the boat, and thus fine-tune tactics such as the running depth of a musky crankbait. Using a GPS<\/a> to monitor boat speed and make subtle adjustments to the trolling pace is another way to improve trolling precision.\r\n\r\nTip:<\/strong> For more details on the best gear for musky fishing<\/a>, check out the following blog."},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","content_anchor":true,"anchor_link_text":"Add Evasive Movements to a Lure","text_content":"
2. Add Evasive Movements to a Lure<\/h2>\r\nMusky are notorious for following lures. Cracking the code on how to make a fish bite is an ongoing riddle, but one reliable technique is imparting some erratic movement to a lure. From a predator\u2019s perspective, evasive action signals panicking prey and vulnerability, which can prompt a fish to attack.\r\nAn easy way to do this is adjusting speed. When casting, try cranking the reel handle fast for a couple of turns or snapping a bait forward using the rod tip. Making S-turns when trolling will cause the bait on the outside of the turn to go faster, and a lure on the inside to slow down.\r\n\r\nPro tip:<\/strong> When casting, always be looking at the water behind, below and to the sides of your lure for a following fish."},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","content_anchor":true,"anchor_link_text":"Try Different Lures","text_content":"
3. Try Different Lures<\/h2>\r\nMusky can be particular about the types of baits they\u2019ll strike. It\u2019s not uncommon for a fish to follow one lure to the boat, reject it, and then be caught later on a different bait.\r\nThis is one reason it\u2019s a good strategy to have each angler in the boat using a different lure \u2014 at least until a pattern is established determining the lures musky are most interested in.\r\n\r\nHere are some essential musky lures<\/a> to have in your collection:\r\n\u2022 Topwaters \u2014 Judd Musky Inline Buzzbait<\/a>, Joe Bucher Dancin Raider\r\n\u2022 Inline and tandem bladed spinnerbaits<\/a> \u2014 Mepps Black Fury Musky Killer Tandem, Joe Bucher Buckertail and Judd Musky Spinnerbait\r\n\u2022 Diving hard baits<\/a> \u2014 Joe Bucher Shallow Raider Jointed Crankbait, Rapala Super Shad Rap\r\n\u2022 Sinking baits \u2014 Savage Gear 3D Burbot Ribbon Tail, Rapala Peto and Otus\r\n\u2022 Spoons<\/a> \u2014 Williams Whitefish"},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","content_anchor":true,"anchor_link_text":"Fish Prime Spots More Than One Way","text_content":"
4. Fish Prime Spots More Than One Way<\/h2>\r\nMusky can be especially tough to catch from lakes and rivers receiving heavy angling pressure. One trick to getting more big fish to bite is figuring out how to show them something a little different than what they\u2019re used to seeing.\r\nAbove we shared the importance of trying different lures, but here\u2019s something else to try the next time you\u2019re on the water. Pay attention to how other anglers are fishing musky spots and come up with a way you can fish a little differently.\r\nFor example, many anglers fish vegetation with their boat in deep water and cast their lures shallow. Why not try doing the opposite, parking shallow and casting deep? Or, could you troll the same water instead of casting through the area?"},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","content_anchor":true,"anchor_link_text":"Believe in Second Chances \u2014 Third and Fourth Ones, Too","text_content":"
5. Believe in Second Chances \u2014 Third and Fourth Ones, Too<\/h2>\r\nDon\u2019t lose hope if a musky follows your bait but doesn\u2019t bite. One failed encounter doesn\u2019t mean the game is over.\r\nSuccessful musky anglers are nothing if not persistent. If unable to convert a strike from a fish at boat side (see Tip 6<\/a>), quickly change lures and work the area again. Clearly, the first bait you were throwing wasn\u2019t enticing enough.\r\nMost experienced anglers will work a spot for a little while after seeing a following musky, but will tell you not to pound the area too hard. What they do instead is leave and then return later in the day.\r\nTiming the next visit comes with experience. A sudden change in weather can be a good opportunity to return to the spot as approaching storms can stimulate musky feeding.\r\nThe end of the day is another good time. Musky regularly get active around nightfall. Lowering light levels can also work to an angler\u2019s advantage as a musky\u2019s sight will be compromised. As a result, the fish may not detect the boat, angler silhouettes, and other warning cues, making it more willing to bite."},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","content_anchor":true,"anchor_link_text":"Learn How to Trigger a Follower","text_content":"
6. Learn How to Trigger a Follower<\/h2>\r\nWell respected musky fishing guide John Anderson, of the Ottawa River Muskie Factory (ottawarivermuskyfactory.com), says he and his clients encounter 40 to 50 percent of their muskie beside the boat. To try and trigger these fish to strike, Anderson executes a boat-side figure-O maneuver, which is done by tracing the shape of an \u201cO\u201d with your rod tip with the lure following close behind. Here\u2019s a quick rundown of the process.\r\nWhen you\u2019re reeling in a musky lure towards the end of the retrieve, ensure the rod<\/a> is pointing down and to either your left or right side. Reel<\/a> in line until the leader is just a few inches from the rod tip \u2014 Anderson uses 14-inch casting leaders because the closer the lure is to the rod tip, the larger the \u201cO\u201d he can make (a long rod also helps). As you stop reeling, push the rod tip into the water while pulling the rod to the other side of your body, and then outward in front of you to trace an O-shape with the rod tip. While doing this, you should be scanning the water for any signs of a musky.\r\n\r\nMake at least one to a couple of these after every cast. If you see a fish, stay with it for a while, even if you lose sight of the musky.\r\n\r\nTip:<\/strong> Anderson prefers a figure-O instead of a figure-8. \u201cBig fish can\u2019t turn in sharp circles, so I go with a large O instead of an 8,\u201d he said."},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","content_anchor":true,"anchor_link_text":"Make Your Hook Set Count","text_content":"
7. Make Your Hook Set Count<\/h2>\r\nExecuting a quality hook-set is one of the most important things you can do to put more musky in the fishing net<\/a>. This begins with always being ready to act because musky can come out of nowhere fast. Point the rod at the lure you\u2019re retrieving and keep your body balanced.\r\n\r\nIt\u2019s also critical to set the hook hard. It takes a lot of power to move a sizeable lure and get hooks to penetrate in a musky\u2019s tooth-filled, bony mouth.\r\nTo move the maximum amount of line, Anderson recommends setting the hook to the side (not moving the rod vertically) and keeping a tight drag. Taking a step back with your rear foot is another way to transfer more power.\r\nTrolling anglers don\u2019t need to set the hook, as the boat\u2019s momentum tends to do the job. To ensure this happens, it\u2019s best to leave the engine in gear for a few seconds (some anglers even add a bit of speed) to confirm the fish is well hooked before putting it into neutral and grabbing the rod."},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","content_anchor":true,"anchor_link_text":"Practise Proper Fish Handling & Catch-and-Release","text_content":"
8. Practise Proper Fish Handling & Catch-and-Release<\/h2>\r\nCatching a trophy musky is on the bucket list of many anglers. For this to happen, it requires anglers to learn and follow proper catch-and-release practices to help preserve the world-class musky fisheries in Ontario and Quebec.\r\nProper fish care is essential. Despite a musky\u2019s ability to grow big, they require a delicate touch. Fish should be kept in the water as much as possible to reduce air exposure, handling is to be kept to a minimum, and anglers should support a fish in the water until it\u2019s recovered its strength before releasing it. These are just a few critical points, but you can learn more through Muskies Canada (muskiescanada.ca).\r\nHaving the right fishing tools<\/a> in the boat is also critical. This includes a big, deep net with coated mesh and long-handled or pistol grip fishing pliers. For more tool recommendations, see our Best Gear for Musky Fishing<\/a> blog."}],"author_type":"wordpress","partnership_options":{"partnership_label":"","partner_logo":null,"partner_link":"","partnership_text":""},"override_related_posts":false,"related_posts":null,"right_cta_visibility":false,"sidebar_cta_content_override":false,"sidebar_cta_title":"","sidebar_cta_description":"","sidebar_cta_button":null},"yoast_head":"\n