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Guide To Choosing The Best Musky & Tiger Muskie Fishing Lures

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By AA-Fishing Staff Writers

Muskie, and tiger muskie, primarily eat fish, but their diet also consists of many other food sources. Frogs, birds, crustaceans and most anything that moves in, or on the water is subject to being eaten by these large predators. Big lures, bright colors, flash, vibration and commotion peak their interest. If they think it is edible, they will most likely attack. These pike have exceptionally sharp teeth, so for whatever lure you choose, use a wire leader.

Muskie Tiger Muskie

These proven muskie lures are most effective in the larger sizes. Choose bright colors and create lots of commotion.

Topwater


TOPWATER LURES

Topwater lures for muskie fishing
Topwater Lure For Muskie

Effective depth:
surface

Recommended line test:
14-17 pound.

Ideal conditions:
Use topwater lures when muskie are relatively shallow and fairly aggressive. Sample shown is a River2Sea Whopper Plopper available at Karl's Bait & Tackle.


TOPWATER POPPERS

Topwater poppers for muskie fishing
Topwater Poppers For Muskie

Effective depth:
surface

Recommended line test:
14-17 pound.

Ideal conditions:
Use topwater poppers when muskie are relatively shallow and need a little coaxing. Sample shown is a Yo-Zuri 3DB Popper available at Discount Tackle.


Spinners


INLINE SPINNERS

Inline spinners for muskie fishing
Inline Spinner For Muskie

Effective depth:
2' to 10'

Recommended line test:
10-15 pound.

Ideal conditions:
Use inline spinners when muskie are shallow or just outside weedlines. Sample shown is a Mepp's Magnum Musky Killer available at Amazon.


Spoons


FLUTTER SPOONS

Flutter spoons for muskie fishing
Flutter Spoon For Musky

Effective depth:
2' to 60'

Recommended line test:
10-15 pound.

Ideal conditions:
Use spoons in all depths and fishing conditions. Sample shown is a Nichols Lures Magnum Flutter Spoon available at Bass Pro Shops.


JIGGING SPOONS

Jigging spoons for muskie fishing
Jigging Spoon For Musky

Effective depth:
8' to 60'

Recommended line test:
14-17 pound.

Ideal conditions:
Use spoons in all depths and fishing conditions. Sample shown is a Nichols Lures Magnum Flutter Spoon available at Tackle Warehouse.


Crankbaits


LIPLESS CRANKBAITS

Lipless crankbait for muskie fishing
Lipless Crankbait For Muskie

Effective depth:
2' to 10'

Recommended line test:
10-15 pound.

Ideal conditions:
Use large lipless crankbaits for fishing shallow to mid depths. Sample shown is a Rat-L-Trap Magnum Trap available at Sportsman's Warehouse.


MEDUIM DEPTH CRANKBAITS

Medium-depth crankbaits for muskie fishing
Medium Depth Crankbait For Muskie

Effective depth:
5' to 10' or more

Recommended line test:
14-17 pound.

Ideal conditions:
Use medium depth crankbaits for fishing open water around rocky or muddy bottoms. Sample shown is a Rapala Shad Rap® available at Sportsman's Warehouse.


DEEP DIVING CRANKBAITS

Deep-diving crankbaits for muskie
Deep Diving Crankbait For Muskie

Effective depth:
5' to 20' or more

Recommended line test:
14-17 pound.

Ideal conditions:
Use deep diving crankbaits for fishing deeper ledges, creek channels and structure. Sample shown is a Strike King Pro-Model XD Crankbait® available at Cabela's®.


Jerkbaits


JERKBAITS & RIPBAITS

Lipless crankbait for muskie fishing
Jerkbait For Muskie

Effective depth:
2' to 8'

Recommended line test:
10-15 pound.

Ideal conditions:
Use large jerkbaits or rip baits for fishing shallow to mid depths. Sample shown is a Rapala Husky Jerk Minnow available at Cabela's.


Swimbaits


SOFT SWIMBAITS

Swimbait for muskie fishing
Swimbait For Muskie

Effective depth:
2' to 10'

Recommended line test:
10-15 pound.

Ideal conditions:
Use swimbaits for fishing open water in shallow to mid depths. Sample shown is a Musky Innovations Bull Dawg available at Bass Pro Shops.


Use steel leaders with all lures as northern pike have extremely sharp teeth.

 

Fishing for northern pike, by state.

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