Guide To Choosing The Best Musky & Tiger Muskie Fishing Lures
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.
These proven muskie lures are most effective in the larger sizes. Choose bright colors and create lots of commotion.
Topwater
TOPWATER LURES
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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®.
DEEP JERKBAITS
Effective depth:
2' to 8'
Recommended line test:
10-15 pound.
Ideal conditions:
Use deep jerkbaits for fishing trolling to mid depths to deep water. Sample shown is a Rapala X-Rap Deep available at Bass Pro Shops®.
GLIDE BAITS
Effective depth:
All depths
Recommended line test:
10-17 pound.
Ideal conditions:
Use large glide baits for fishing all depths. Sample shown is a Raptor Eagle Glide Bait available at Bass Pro Shops®.
Swimbaits
SOFT SWIMBAITS
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®.
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