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
![Topwater lures for muskie fishing](gfx/lures/muskie-lures-topwater-1.jpg)
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](gfx/lures/muskie-lures-popper-1.jpg)
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](gfx/lures/muskie-lures-spinner-1.jpg)
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](gfx/lures/muskie-lures-flutter-spoon-1.jpg)
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](gfx/lures/muskie-lures-spoon-2.jpg)
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](gfx/lures/muskie-lures-lipless-crankbait-1.jpg)
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](gfx/lures/muskie-lures-med-crankbait-1.jpg)
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](gfx/lures/muskie-lures-deep-crankbait-1.jpg)
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](gfx/lures/muskie-lures-jerkbait-1.jpg)
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](gfx/lures/muskie-lures-swimbait-1.jpg)
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.
Fishing Information
![Select A Fish Species](gfx/spcr-species.jpg)