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| Fall Muskie Strategies written by Tim Allard |
| Fall fishing is physically and mentally demanding, but all it takes is one fish to dispel doubts and keep you searching for the next big, fall muskie. These strategies should help you reach that goal this season. |
Fall is trophy time for muskies.
Hard-core anglers launch boats through
ice, brave freezing wind chills and snowy
conditions, and log dozens of hours
searching for a once-in-a-lifetime fish.
You don't have to go to this extreme, but
autumn is the best time to hit the water if
you're looking to catch the big one. This
article discusses some fall fishing
strategies that should help you on your
quest for a trophy muskie.
Hard-core anglers launch boats through
ice, brave freezing wind chills and snowy
conditions, and log dozens of hours
searching for a once-in-a-lifetime fish.
You don't have to go to this extreme, but
autumn is the best time to hit the water if
you're looking to catch the big one. This
article discusses some fall fishing
strategies that should help you on your
quest for a trophy muskie.
| Trolling is an effective way to target deep-water fish and muskie feeding on baitfish schools. |
| Casting vs. Trolling |
Many anglers switch from casting to trolling in the fall. Trolling is an effective way to
target deep-water fish and ones feeding on baitfish schools in autumn.
Casting still has merit, though, especially during the early stages of fall. If you can
endure ice-cold water on your fingers, casting lets you methodically work structures and
see fish you'll miss when trolling. This is important because finding fish is half the battle
when it comes to hunting muskies.
Regardless of the presentation, work baits slowly in the fall. Due to lower water
temperatures a muskie's metabolism is slower compared to summer months. That's not
to say a fish won't aggressively hit a big crankbait, but you can't rip baits by fish as fast
as you did during the peak summer period.
target deep-water fish and ones feeding on baitfish schools in autumn.
Casting still has merit, though, especially during the early stages of fall. If you can
endure ice-cold water on your fingers, casting lets you methodically work structures and
see fish you'll miss when trolling. This is important because finding fish is half the battle
when it comes to hunting muskies.
Regardless of the presentation, work baits slowly in the fall. Due to lower water
temperatures a muskie's metabolism is slower compared to summer months. That's not
to say a fish won't aggressively hit a big crankbait, but you can't rip baits by fish as fast
as you did during the peak summer period.
Good Autumn Casting Lures
Popular fall-casting baits include jerkbaits, like
Suicks or Burts. The key to a good fall jerkbait is
that it suspends in the water (i.e., is neutrally
buoyant) or has an extremely slow rise. This slow
hanging action often triggers following muskies.
Quickly rising baits don't seem to coax lazy fish into
hitting like a suspending jerkbait does come fall.
Some baits will suspend out of the box, but odds
are you'll need to add weight to many lures. Do
this by sticking two-way tape to the underside of
the bait and adding egg sinkers or other weights to
the tape. Next, put the bait in a tank of water.
Experiment with sinker placement and the amount
of weight until the bait suspends straight in the
water. Next drill holes in the bait body, insert
weights and epoxy over the holes. It's possible you
might ruin a bait or two the first time you try
weighting them, but it's worth it. When you get it
right, a properly suspending jerkbait will quickly
become your best friend for fall casting.
Popular fall-casting baits include jerkbaits, like
Suicks or Burts. The key to a good fall jerkbait is
that it suspends in the water (i.e., is neutrally
buoyant) or has an extremely slow rise. This slow
hanging action often triggers following muskies.
Quickly rising baits don't seem to coax lazy fish into
hitting like a suspending jerkbait does come fall.
Some baits will suspend out of the box, but odds
are you'll need to add weight to many lures. Do
this by sticking two-way tape to the underside of
the bait and adding egg sinkers or other weights to
the tape. Next, put the bait in a tank of water.
Experiment with sinker placement and the amount
of weight until the bait suspends straight in the
water. Next drill holes in the bait body, insert
weights and epoxy over the holes. It's possible you
might ruin a bait or two the first time you try
weighting them, but it's worth it. When you get it
right, a properly suspending jerkbait will quickly
become your best friend for fall casting.
| A good assortment of fall baits (from top to bottom): Bobbie Bait jerkbait, Hughes River Hughey, Muskie Mania Jake, Joe Bucher Jointed Depthraider, and a Musky Innovations Bull Dawg. |
Other popular casting baits include big plastic lures, such as Bull Dawgs. Count-down
these baits to specific depths, and then retrieve them on a straight swimming or
jerk-and-pause retrieve. Large minnowbaits or crankbaits, like Believers, Jakes, and
Cisco Kids, are other good casting baits. Throw these around the edges of structures.
Make sure to make plenty of pauses during the retrieve to trigger lethargic followers.
these baits to specific depths, and then retrieve them on a straight swimming or
jerk-and-pause retrieve. Large minnowbaits or crankbaits, like Believers, Jakes, and
Cisco Kids, are other good casting baits. Throw these around the edges of structures.
Make sure to make plenty of pauses during the retrieve to trigger lethargic followers.
| Trolling Baits |
Trolling in the fall consists almost exclusively of using large crankbaits and minnowbaits.
Ernies and Believers are good baits. Spinnerbaits that can be slow-trolled around weeds
or edges will work, but for me, cranks are king come autumn.
Ernies and Believers are good baits. Spinnerbaits that can be slow-trolled around weeds
or edges will work, but for me, cranks are king come autumn.
| Bait Size and Color |
Although there are not hard-and-fast rules when it comes to fall fishing muskies, for the
most part, bigger baits are best. You want a lure to put out a big profile. This helps get
the attention of muskie feeding on large-sized forage as they beef up to endure the
hardships of the winter months.
When it comes to color, carry a selection of natural patterns mimicking walleye, shiners,
perch and catfish. Also stock your box with hot colored baits consisting of yellows,
oranges, pinks, chartreuse and other bright color patterns.
most part, bigger baits are best. You want a lure to put out a big profile. This helps get
the attention of muskie feeding on large-sized forage as they beef up to endure the
hardships of the winter months.
When it comes to color, carry a selection of natural patterns mimicking walleye, shiners,
perch and catfish. Also stock your box with hot colored baits consisting of yellows,
oranges, pinks, chartreuse and other bright color patterns.
| Fall Strategy #1: Find Remaining Healthy Weeds |
Different regions experience summer weed die-off at different times. However, one fact
remains constant; finding the last few healthy weedbeds on a lake or river is important to
catching muskies early in the fall.
remains constant; finding the last few healthy weedbeds on a lake or river is important to
catching muskies early in the fall.
As weeds die off and decompose they
use oxygen. Fish leave these areas in
search of oxygen-rich spots, often
moving to healthy weeds in deeper
water. Find healthy weeds and you'll find
muskies feeding in them at some point.
Common autumn weed areas include
points, reefs and islands. The deeper
the weeds, the longer they tend to
survive, especially if there's current in
the area.
use oxygen. Fish leave these areas in
search of oxygen-rich spots, often
moving to healthy weeds in deeper
water. Find healthy weeds and you'll find
muskies feeding in them at some point.
Common autumn weed areas include
points, reefs and islands. The deeper
the weeds, the longer they tend to
survive, especially if there's current in
the area.
| Remember to work baits slowly in the fall. Lower water temperatures slow a muskie's metabolism, so you can't rip baits as fast as you did during the peak summer period. |
Mark these spots on a GPS unit. Muskie
will move on and off of these areas at
different times, so fish them afew times
throughout a day in an effort to intercept
feeding fish.
will move on and off of these areas at
different times, so fish them afew times
throughout a day in an effort to intercept
feeding fish.
When you encounter a new weedbed, it pays to cast it to learn its characteristics. This
allows you to look for the best structure in the area, or "the spot on the spot". If too cold
to cast, slowly troll over the area. While doing this, use a GPS to mark prime structure
areas and the weededge. You can use this data later to properly position baits on trolling
runs.
allows you to look for the best structure in the area, or "the spot on the spot". If too cold
to cast, slowly troll over the area. While doing this, use a GPS to mark prime structure
areas and the weededge. You can use this data later to properly position baits on trolling
runs.
| Fishing Strategy #2: Work Rock Areas |
Whether casting or trolling, rocky areas can be dynamite in the fall. This particularly
holds true when the rocks are shallow enough to be reached by the sun's rays. On
sunny, autumn days rocks trap heat. This can raise the surrounding water by a degree
or two and is enough to attract baitfish, panfish and predators alike. Reefs, points,
boulder piles and man-made rock cribs are all prime areas come fall.
Again, if new to fishing rocky areas learn them first by working them with casts or slowly
trolling them. As you comb the area, mark hazards on a GPS, or use marker buoys, so
you can return and troll the structure with precision.
Bang crankbaits on bottom when fishing rock areas. Baits bouncing and deflecting off the
structure resemble a fish trying to elude a predator. Reaction strikes are common from
muskie when a bait is banged off of rocks. Keep a loose drag so that you won't loose the
bait or break a rod when you encounter a snag. When caught on bottom, most times a
crankbait will float up and out of the snag on slack line. If it doesn't dislodge itself, a
plug-knocker like the E-Z Lure Retriever will usually do the trick.
holds true when the rocks are shallow enough to be reached by the sun's rays. On
sunny, autumn days rocks trap heat. This can raise the surrounding water by a degree
or two and is enough to attract baitfish, panfish and predators alike. Reefs, points,
boulder piles and man-made rock cribs are all prime areas come fall.
Again, if new to fishing rocky areas learn them first by working them with casts or slowly
trolling them. As you comb the area, mark hazards on a GPS, or use marker buoys, so
you can return and troll the structure with precision.
Bang crankbaits on bottom when fishing rock areas. Baits bouncing and deflecting off the
structure resemble a fish trying to elude a predator. Reaction strikes are common from
muskie when a bait is banged off of rocks. Keep a loose drag so that you won't loose the
bait or break a rod when you encounter a snag. When caught on bottom, most times a
crankbait will float up and out of the snag on slack line. If it doesn't dislodge itself, a
plug-knocker like the E-Z Lure Retriever will usually do the trick.
| Learn How To Create Your own Bait fish school Click Here |
| Fishing Strategy #3: Work Baitfish Schools |
Baitfish schools become extremely pronounced come
autumn. When trolling with a quality sonar it's common
to see massive pods of bait. Odds are if you stay long
enough, you'll see large hooks on the periphery of the
bait. These icons are predators, and a few are likely
muskies.
Once you find them, troll around baitfish schools. Many
call this approach open water trolling. Troll deep-diving
crankbaits and minnowbaits around the periphery of
the bait. If you're marking large hooks on your graph,
run your bait above these marks. Muskie often swim up
or from the side to ambush prey. Trolling for muskie
demands durable rod holders, such as those made by
Down East. Rod holders need to be strong enough to
withstand the constant pulling of a trolled crankbait and
endure the powerful surge of a muskie hit.
autumn. When trolling with a quality sonar it's common
to see massive pods of bait. Odds are if you stay long
enough, you'll see large hooks on the periphery of the
bait. These icons are predators, and a few are likely
muskies.
Once you find them, troll around baitfish schools. Many
call this approach open water trolling. Troll deep-diving
crankbaits and minnowbaits around the periphery of
the bait. If you're marking large hooks on your graph,
run your bait above these marks. Muskie often swim up
or from the side to ambush prey. Trolling for muskie
demands durable rod holders, such as those made by
Down East. Rod holders need to be strong enough to
withstand the constant pulling of a trolled crankbait and
endure the powerful surge of a muskie hit.
| The author releasing a muskie caught on a perch-colored Hughey glidebait. |
| Fishing Strategy #4: Structure Trolling |
Unlike open water trolling, structure trolling, as its name implies, is about working specific
areas. The breakline next to the lake basin or the main river channel is a prime muskie
holding area. This break often concentrates many species that have left shallow water.
Pay attention to areas along the breakline intersecting other types of structures, like
points or turns.
Deep holes are good spots to find on rivers. These areas often provide current relief for
muskies. Troll deep diving crankbaits over these holes.
Rocky reefs, islands, and points surrounded by deep water are all prime areas to troll.
Areas created by human engineering can also be dynamite fall spots if near deep water,
especially if they create current breaks. Bridge supports, boat launches, break walls and
other structures made from rock and rubble are good spots to include on a fall trolling
run.
If trolling a long structure, work up and down it using slow S-turns. Frequently change
baits, using ones with different actions and colors. When you're fishing smaller areas,
like sunken islands, troll them several times. Switch up baits and the angle of your
approach. Sometimes it takes a certain style or color of bait to be presented at a specific
angle to trigger a muskie to hit.
Fall fishing is physically and mentally demanding. Most anglers who've spent dozens of
hours in cold weather without catching a fish will eventually wonder why they're not sitting
on their coach instead. All it takes is one fish to dispel any doubts and keep you
searching for another big, fall muskie. I hope these fishing strategies help you reach that
goal and keep you off the couch.
areas. The breakline next to the lake basin or the main river channel is a prime muskie
holding area. This break often concentrates many species that have left shallow water.
Pay attention to areas along the breakline intersecting other types of structures, like
points or turns.
Deep holes are good spots to find on rivers. These areas often provide current relief for
muskies. Troll deep diving crankbaits over these holes.
Rocky reefs, islands, and points surrounded by deep water are all prime areas to troll.
Areas created by human engineering can also be dynamite fall spots if near deep water,
especially if they create current breaks. Bridge supports, boat launches, break walls and
other structures made from rock and rubble are good spots to include on a fall trolling
run.
If trolling a long structure, work up and down it using slow S-turns. Frequently change
baits, using ones with different actions and colors. When you're fishing smaller areas,
like sunken islands, troll them several times. Switch up baits and the angle of your
approach. Sometimes it takes a certain style or color of bait to be presented at a specific
angle to trigger a muskie to hit.
Fall fishing is physically and mentally demanding. Most anglers who've spent dozens of
hours in cold weather without catching a fish will eventually wonder why they're not sitting
on their coach instead. All it takes is one fish to dispel any doubts and keep you
searching for another big, fall muskie. I hope these fishing strategies help you reach that
goal and keep you off the couch.
| How The Shocking Discovery Of A Long-Lost "Evening Secret" Fishing Weapon From 1947 Will Send Swarms Of Blood-Thirsty Game Fish To Your Spot So You Can Double Your Catches, Guaranteed! Click Here To Sign Up For Our Newsletter to get the details of this amazing secret! |