|
|
Posts: 75
| I'm a beginner Musky Angler wondering what some good jerkbaits and crankbaits are. I've caught a couple Musky, but all of them were caught on top of the water. I love using topwater, weagles, vipers, top-raiders, etc... Lately i just feel like i could get more fish going under. Any information on good jerkbaits or crankers? Phantoms, husky jerks, swimbaits, grandmas, stalkers, wabull, etc... Any information on lure choices and sizes would be helpful. Thank you |
|
| |
|
Posts: 116
| still a big fan of rapala's super shad rap and jointed x-rap, even though these are a little on the small side for some. super shadrap in bluegill is hard to beat, as is silver/black or gold/black x-rap. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 945
| For crankbaits I would recomend the MX6 From Muskie Train it is great as a minnow twitchbait or is good for trolling also I have caught alot of fish on them up to 53.5" If you want to see them in action check out Gregg Thomas's new video Musky Road Rules we catch a ton of fish on them including the 53.5"
If you want to fish a little deeper the Diesel from Musky Train is a good one you can crank it down 7'-8' feet then twich it back to the boat it will stay at that depth on the way back. We caught alot of nice bonus fish on these also (42" Pike, 23" Bass and 28" walleyes. Its especialy good if the main forage where you are fishing is panfish. They sold out at the Milwaukee show in 6 hours. I know the guys on Pewaukee caught a ton of 45"-49" on these last year
Depthraider or Cisco Kids are great crankbaits also casting and trolling. If the water gets dirty use the jointed depthraiders. I have had better luck at night or day time dirty water with the jointed.
As far as jerkbaits For a chop style a Suick is a must. For glide baits I like the Jerkos and Squirkos Reef Hawgs are good also if you can find a good one. I like my glide baits to be more erratic not just a perfect side to side. The more up down side to side direction changes trigger more strikes on my waters.
Good Luck
Jeff Hanson
madisonmuskyguide.com |
|
| |
|
| EvEr, the best advice I can give--to start--is look at the list of Top 10 lures for catching 50" fish that is published by Muskies, Inc. (You can see this at the Jackson Lures website.) The #1 crankbait for catching big fish is the Wiley Lure, made here in SW PA. (We do have bright people.) They are pricey for a newbie, but worth what they cost. You will be impressed with the action and the finish. You can see these lures at the "Muskie Thrills" website. Wileys are basically a shallow running lure. I would start with the 5.5" and 6.5" models. These have put away many big girls.
Okay, what else? I like the Jake in 6" and 8", for larger applications. The 6 runs shallow; the 8 will get down if trolled. I downsize my hooks on the 6 to size 1. Better action. (You have to get the fish to hit first. He won't hit something that isn't attractive.) The 8 tends to foul on casting, but downsizing the hooks solves this problem.
Grandma? Yes. I like the 6", 7.5", and 9" for giants. (Remember, there aren't that many giants.) The 6" and 7.5" run shallow. The 7.5 is a great casting lure for its size. It will bring a big fish to the net. The 9" gets down and casts well. It also trolls well.
The Drifter Believer. I wouldn't go out without some: 6", 7", and 8". They are easy to use; and run at medium depth. They are among the Top 10.
Deeper? I like the Bucher Depthraider in both 6" and 8". They cast well and almost never foul. I wouldn't go out without one or two.
There are lots of other lures that are undoubtedly good. But in starting out, go with proven fish takers. Don't get too funky with your colors. Don't spend too much money. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 501
Location: S.Wisconsin | For twitch baits I like the 7 and 9" big games, jakes, and the slammers. For deeper cranks the legend perch bait is one of my faves.
Matt |
|
| |
|
Posts: 173
Location: Probably Minnesota that time... | As a beginner, you can spend a small fortune just buying a bright, and natural color pattern in the various categories of baits. Fish with some experienced guys, join a club(Muskies inc.) try some of their baits and see what you like. Use the boards(like this one) or any of the others, e-bay and go to some swap meets. You can really stock your box at a fraction of the cost. If cash is not an issue.... Then just go shopping. All lures will catch fish, everyone has their favorites. You will find a few different opinions I'm sure. There are a lot of quality fish producing baits available. Many are made by well known industry bigs, many are on a much smaller scale made by some of the fine people on this very board.
Some of my favorites
10" Jake
10" Believer
Depth Raider
Rapalas(various kinds)
Slammer
Viper (old with 1oz. weight-screw in)
Phantom
Hughes River :Hugheys & Shakers
Bobbie
Striker Jr.
Various baits of my own making and probably more than a handfull I am forgetting.
Good luck, have fun trying out lures, you will find your favorites-it just takes TIME!
-Chris
|
|
| |
|
| EvEr, I want to add something to what I said above. This is on jerkbaits. I don't have much experience with them, but have two to recommend: 1. The Suick; and 2. The Phantom. The Suick is a diver (pull-bait); the Phantom is a glider. Pull-bait is something of a misnomer because you have to do more than just pull the lure to make it work. Last summer Steve Sworral--the MuskieFirst god--posted a video of a demonstration he did of how to use the Suick. It is the best demo I've seen on the net. The technique has to be taught. You can waste a lot of time with this bait if you don't know how to use it. Gliders are tricky. The lure really has to be well-balanced. Be careful in buying off-brands. You might buy something that is useless.
|
|
| |
|
| I would check out the livid fish by Naze Baits. Great action as crankbait and jerkbait. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1906
Location: Oconto Falls, WI | First question is where are you going to fish? Some baits are technique and locational specific in terms of productivity. I would listen more to those that fish the area that you intend to fish more than the general public. While some lakes like smaller profile baits, others like larger. Try to narrow down your lure selection at the beginning as much as possible by finding out what seems most productive by others around there. Then choose a few of those baits, and learn how to use them. Much more important than buying one or two of everything that is suggested.
Nothing against Wiley’s as I bring this up only because they were strongly pushed. In northern WI where I fish I wouldn’t bother getting one for casting. Just because it may be the top 50” producer does not make it the best option on all waters especially if you are a caster, and not a troller.
|
|
| |
