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Posts: 761
| Next season, I'm looking at putting together a dedicated downsizer tackle box and could use some help. Besides the obvious, Mepps musky killers, 5-6 inch minnow baits, what are some of the must haves I should include? Thanks. Kdawg |
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Posts: 1415
Location: Brighton CO. | I make a home made version of a Rizzo Wiz, 4" deep shad (Slammer) 22 Long, 4" 1/2 countdown Rapala. 6" deep Grandma.
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Posts: 304
| One of my best producers is a Rapala jointed X Rap. That includes ANY bait period, big or small. Second would be a 6" Phantom Soft Tail.
Both should be in any box. But if I am focusing on downsizing - those are the first two baits I throw.
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Posts: 51
| Fudally Candy Spin, Blue Fox Vibra Spin Buckktail; may be larger than you're looking for but also Bomber Long A and 6" Reef Hawg and Tallywacker. |
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| For top water, I would add a Nite Walker. |
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Posts: 8785
| X-Raps for me, plus a couple Baby Depth Raiders, Assortment of smaller bucktails, CJ's spinnerbaits, baby Weagle, 207 Crane... That's about it. Nice to travel light! |
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Posts: 224
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota | For early spring a 1/2 oz war eagle spinnerbait is great, or whatever brand you want to use. I tie some 80lbs floro straight to it for a leader since it’s a bass style bend where you can’t put a snap/split ring on. Don’t expect to get too many fish per bait though because they are flimsy
Evergreen sb150 or a big super spook is another great option. That sb150 has a cupped face so it gives it a popping sound on each walk.
Bigger bass style soft swimbaits are great. I really like keitechs for any species of fish. The 5.8, 6.8, and 7.8 are good downsized musky sizes. Can put them on an owner beast hook and get them through super thick weeds, or put it on an exposed jig head and rig a stinger treble on it for more open water. Fish then exactly like a posidon or swimmin dawg, just smaller profile. |
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Posts: 333
Location: SE Wisc | Micro Medusas |
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Posts: 1269
Location: E. Tenn | North of 8 - 11/1/2022 4:27 PM
For top water, I would add a Nite Walker.
I've had a lot of success with a a Super Zara Spook, and should probably consider throwing a bass sized Jitterbug..
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Posts: 20221
Location: oswego, il | Here is my list and I will forget a bunch until I get home.
5.5" Zalt Zam
Bomber Long A
128 Pointer Minnow
Jackall Kiwashi Mickey Jr. 140mm
Megabass Vatalion
The 7" Bagley that looks like a floating rapala.
I'm forgetting a bunch. |
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Posts: 1247
Location: Walker, MN | Without a doubt the Lake X Little Bastard! I have had good success on the bone color.
I also really like the Shimano Coltsniper Jerkbait. Similar to a Bomber Long A, but casts better and has some great finishes.
The 6" Phantom soft tail is awesome too. |
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Posts: 1415
Location: Brighton CO. | Ogandrews - 11/1/2022 6:18 PM
For early spring a 1/2 oz war eagle spinnerbait is great, or whatever brand you want to use. I tie some 80lbs floro straight to it for a leader since it’s a bass style bend where you can’t put a snap/split ring on. Don’t expect to get too many fish per bait though because they are flimsy
Evergreen sb150 or a big super spook is another great option. That sb150 has a cupped face so it gives it a popping sound on each walk.
Bigger bass style soft swimbaits are great. I really like keitechs for any species of fish. The 5.8, 6.8, and 7.8 are good downsized musky sizes. Can put them on an owner beast hook and get them through super thick weeds, or put it on an exposed jig head and rig a stinger treble on it for more open water. Fish then exactly like a posidon or swimmin dawg, just smaller profile.
If you take any old spit ring and put the R bend thru it (like a donut resting on your wire) then you can use a leader. This is a old In-Fisherman trick. |
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Posts: 1269
Location: E. Tenn | chuckski - 11/2/2022 10:37 AM
If you take any old spit ring and put the R bend thru it (like a donut resting on your wire) then you can use a leader. This is a old In-Fisherman trick.
Never thought of that trick... I've been using skirt collars stretched over the bend. |
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Posts: 393
| I good question and topic. My favorites and a tackle box that gets used spring, summer and fall.
1. 7 " suick
2. Rizzo plastic bucktail
3. Rapala Hj12 Husky Jerk
4. Mepps #5 Musky Killer
5. Zara Super Spook
6. Lake X Little Bastard
7. Micro Medusa
8. 4.5 " Phantom Softail
9. Micro Medussa |
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Posts: 358
| 1. 7" Big game twitch. I've caught about everything on it. Krave Jr right in there with it (very under-utilized bait imho)
2. mepps bucktails, blue fox's etc. these still just catch about anything.
3. 7" Suick catches just about anything. Can be tricky to cast
4. Poes giant jackpot, isnt so giant in modern times but is a great fish mover still. River fish of all kinds just love them
5. 130 Whopper plopper. Again, everything will hit this thing
6. 5-6" swimbait. Keitech etc...when you need to catch A FISH, this will get it done |
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Posts: 504
Location: Ludington, MI | If you come across some of the old large-sized Rapala Flat Raps, they are deadly. They have that flash and roll that you see in the fall twitchbaits. |
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Posts: 866
Location: NE Ohio | i love to throw a 4" BAKER. i can work it slow or fast, and the fish love them toooooooo! |
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Posts: 1415
Location: Brighton CO. | Small baits shine where you have pressured fish or Hybrid's I like to go down to Bass sized sometimes. I cut down the arms on my Bass sized spinnerbaits to lessen the profile (like a grinder) or use solid plastic lure like a Bomber Fat Free Shad, beef up your hooks and spit rings. |
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Posts: 530
Location: NW WI | Micro Dawgs and dussas
Hollow body frogs
Big rubber smibait fan, Keitechs,Optimums,Smash techs, little creepers.
Agreed on the downsized spinner baits, but for non looped line ties: I just take my wire bending pliers and bend a loop...
A company I really got turned onto to this year Is "Picasso" their "all terrain inline jig"- oh boy,five stars guys. That blade spins even with algae stuck all over. A newish spin on weed gaurds and it's super effective. The combo seems weird, but it's sooooo versatile.
Their 2oz Aaron Martens chatter jig is pretty neat too-cant say that's been bit yet, but definitely something a little unique.
And finally a 7" Tora Tube stupid rigged with either a 1 or 2oz Burde Jig. |
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Posts: 761
| Thanks for the suggestions so far, keeping track, especially on the baits that have been mentioned more than once. Want to put down the heavier equipment next year and use the med/hvy gear more, 300 sized low pros and the old 5500s. Of interest, no mention of any 1/2oz-3/4oz rattle baits, hmm. Kdawg |
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Posts: 1415
Location: Brighton CO. | If you look my two posts I'm a crankbait guy and over the years a Raider fan so ya Baby Depth Raider and caught the Pike and Walleyes all over the place on a 1 OZ Rattle Trap I use smaller too. (I did catch a 44"er on a Baby Depth Raider.) I believe you can catch big fish on small lures. At age 62 I can still throw the big stuff but when the time comes scale down in size I'm fully loaded and could go on and on I own most all of them. |
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Posts: 530
Location: NW WI | kdawg - 11/6/2022 7:10 AM
Thanks for the suggestions so far, keeping track, especially on the baits that have been mentioned more than once. Want to put down the heavier equipment next year and use the med/hvy gear more, 300 sized low pros and the old 5500s. Of interest, no mention of any 1/2oz-3/4oz rattle baits, hmm. Kdawg
Personally, i struggle to downsize when on a muskie lake except for when I'm giving my shoulder a rest or partners get bored and target bass/pike for a bit. Not saying its a bad move, i just mentaly struggle to do it. My downsize selections are what they are because I can't stand in my Kayak and big rods and baits aren't very efficient to throw.
Other swimbait I forgot to add is the LunkerHunt Fetch.
But as rattlebaits go-When I'm on non Muskie water that's stained I love the classic Blue and chrome Rattletrap, it's a top 5 bait for me for pike. I can't fathom why a Muskie wouldn't hit one.
Had a bass fishing friend of mine last year catch a mid 40's in the spring throwing a ripping rap below a dam. |
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Posts: 20221
Location: oswego, il | The rattle.baits work. I don't throw them much but I've netted fish that have eaten them. As far as baits and how many times they were mentioned, I would still keep looking and thinking outside the box,.especially when it comes to baits that were not made for Musky fishing, it opens up your play book. There are plenty of bass, saltwater and European pike baits that are excellent for musky. |
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Posts: 268
Location: Central Pennsylvania | Strike king kvd 300s. My absolute favorite bass jerkbait. Fish on heavy bass gear with drag set light so you don't bend them hooks out. Next thing would be a whopper plopper 130 and the musky size jitterbug. My favorite bass topwater would be the heddon super spook. Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. Tons of options. |
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Posts: 41
Location: Lower Peninsula | 7.62xJay - 11/5/2022 12:19 PM
Micro Dawgs and dussas
Hollow body frogs
Big rubber smibait fan, Keitechs,Optimums,Smash techs, little creepers.
Agreed on the downsized spinner baits, but for non looped line ties: I just take my wire bending pliers and bend a loop...
A company I really got turned onto to this year Is "Picasso" their "all terrain inline jig"- oh boy,five stars guys. That blade spins even with algae stuck all over. A newish spin on weed gaurds and it's super effective. The combo seems weird, but it's sooooo versatile.
Their 2oz Aaron Martens chatter jig is pretty neat too-cant say that's been bit yet, but definitely something a little unique.
And finally a 7" Tora Tube stupid rigged with either a 1 or 2oz Burde Jig.
I love those Picasso jigs! I have slayed pike with their 3/4oz straight shooter jigs in green pumpkin/dark craw colors. I have never in my life had to reach further down a pikes throat than when they eat these swimjigs. I have not tried the inline spinner ones but I will before too long.
Some other downsize stuff I have had luck on is an all silver mepps agila long #4 without any hair on the hook. Same with the #5 (giant killer). Willow blade gets it deep and cast like a bullet. J-13 rap sucker color deserves a shout out too. |
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Posts: 1
| I love best producers is a Rapala jointed X Rap the most.
Found some good deals here: https://www.sportsmanfinder.com/fishing/lures |
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Posts: 389
Location: Northern Illinois | Not super small, but:
Mepp's Musky Killer
Hirsch's original 8 bucktail
Bucher Slopmaster
Bucher Baby Depthraider
6.5" Mini Tap Dancer
Loke 6"
7" Suick
All confirmed killas for Musky (bass and pike on every one of them too), won't leave home without them. |
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Posts: 1415
Location: Brighton CO. | This has been a fun post. A generation ago everything was a downsizer except for those giant 9" Suick's and Bobbies.
Digging around and found some old River Runts, I think I'll cut off the hooks add some spit rings put on some modern hooks and as we talked about Tiger like small lures. I have some new lures to try on the Tigers around here. |
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