How to Fish for Musky

You asked for a more in-depth look at the techniques used on Erie Extreme TV, so we've partnered with Dave Lefebre and the rest of the crew to bring you a new segment called In-Depth Look! We're breaking down on the main products and techniques featured in each segment to help diehard fishing fanatics like yourself learn tips and tricks straight from the pros!

Check out this week's In-Depth Look at How to Catch Musky:

After Spring, Mark Grazinao and Dave Lefebre say the best places to find musky are in post-spawn shallow weed beds. At this time musky are feeding on perch and larger baitfish, so using a life-like jointed swimbait will help rouse up the musky's attention. Here's a look at Mark and Dave's equipment set up:

Lure:  Rapala Jointed X Rap, Model #13, 5 1/4 in, Color-Perch
Rod:  13 Fishing Defy Black / 7 ft / Medium
Reel:  13 Fishing Creed X / Model 2000 / 5.2:1 Gear Ratio
Line Leader:  50 LB Sufix Advanced 832 Braid Invisiline Fluorocarbon
Tackle:  VMC 1/0 Swivel and #3 Snap

Musky are iconic for being patient hunters and they will follow bait for a long time. Retrieve your lure in a jerk-jerk-pause cadence. Once you get your lure close to the boat and/or kayak, put the tip of your rod down in the water and make a figure 8 pattern. If a musky has been hunting (aka following) your bait, the figure 8 pattern of the lure can prompt an immediate strike!

You can also troll for musky. When trolling, Mike and Dave's boat speed was roughly 3.5-4 mph. Keep your lure only 20 feet behind your boat or kayak. Sometimes the churn-up of the water behind your boat and kayak can attract musky. Once you've sunk your hook into one of these monsters, don't rush the battle! Just hang on, let the fish do what it wants, and eventually, they'll tire themselves out.

Now be aware that most muskies aren't lost during the retrieve battle, but lost right when you get them to the boat/kayak. Make sure you have a good-quality, large, extendable net ready to scoop your musky up before they can flip off your hook. Another advantage of having a large net is that you can leave the fish in the water while you work on safely removing your hook(s). Once the hooks are out, you can pick up your fish, snap some photos of your prize catch, and release it back into the water.

You can utilize discount code ERIEEXTREMETV to receive 20% OFF most of the products featured in this segment. We hope you've enjoyed this week's In-Depth Look! Tight lines and as always, Fish On!

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