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Musky fishing is literally a game of size.
Searching for the lifetime fish that stretches
beyond the fifty-inch mark on the tape, or a 'ski
that bottoms out the scale at thirty-pounds are
targets we all strive for when out on the water.
Lets face it - size does matter to a musky angler.
But how about the size of the baits you throw at
these fish in the hope of luring them in? There is a
time and place for big baits and small in musky
fishing, and learning the in's and out's will help
you in attaining that fish of a lifetime.
Small Baits
The phrase "small bait" is a relative term when
discussing species-specific lures. For the
freshwater musky, small can be defined as a lure
that measures less than five-inches in length.
(Quite the contrast to some of the monster twelve
and fourteen-inch baits used to scour the depths by
some musky hunters.)
Although musky can attain tremendous weight and
size, there is something about a small bait under
the right circumstances that can work pure magic.
Early season is one of those moments. Springtime
means cooler water in many regions of the country,
and it also means slower metabolism for its watery
friends. Muskies are less likely to exert themselves
chasing down large prey, but can be convinced to
take a swipe at a bite-sized snack. (This only makes
sense, as the natural prey they will be feeding on
will be young of the year baitfish, perch and
bluegills in the two to five-inch length.) Tossing
around small bucktails, cranks and jerkbaits can be
the key to success early on in the season.
Cold front conditions are another situation that
calls for downsizing your presentation. We've all
been there before - bright blue skies, sunny and
without a cloud in the sky. This is darn tough
fishing in anyone's book. Muskies can be caught
during these periods, but it will take something
small, natural and unobtrusive to do the damage.
This isn't a time for monster cranks or behemoth
trolling plugs, but scaled down versions that will
be appealing and noteworthy to the lazy musky with
lockjaw.
Fall time has traditionally meant BIG baits, but
what about those days when the fish continuously
follow the lure but refuse to strike? Small baits
are the answer to the question. Musky can become
conditioned to big baits that are commonly thrown by
the majority of anglers. Most days, everyone and his
brother are throwing large jerkbaits or gliders,
sometimes resulting in fish that love to follow.
Next time you run into this frustrating dilemma,
make a quick switch to a smaller version of the bait
you are using, and be prepared to hang on to that
rod. A simple switch in the "size game" is often all
it takes to find action.
Large Baits
Now that we've discussed when to utilize small
baits for musky, lets find out when big is best. Hot
summer weather is generally a good time to go big.
Fish will be extremely active, and will be looking
for a substantial meal to keep their energy levels
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