My "Desert Island" Lure for Fall Muskies Part 2
Where To Begin Your Search
During the fall you can usually find muskies in very specific locations. The one common ingredient to look for when searching for fish is the presence of green weeds. At this time of year, baitfish will be keying in on these oxygen-rich plants; this in turn will bring in the larger predators. When casting Suicks in the fall I usually search out water in the 5-to-twelve-foot-depth, with some sort of structure the fish can key in on. Keep an eye out for weedlines that have definite edges and ambush spots for the muskie to hide in. Other areas to try out would be points of islands and anywhere you can find a weed-rock transition area.
As fall progresses, and water temperatures continue to plummet, your best bet is to seek out the next available deeper water that is close to where you found fish earlier in the fall. Basically this means moving outward from early productive spots until the next, or secondary weedline, is found. Generally this water will be a few feet deeper and will congregate the majority of fish. I find that this pattern is viable right up to the end of the season, as long as green, healthy plants are present.
Tools of the Trade
Casting heavy jerkbaits all day will require some specialized equipment in order to get the job done right with the least amount of fatigue put on the body. I prefer a heavy-action muskie casting rod that is 6 feet in length. A rod of this length enables you to work the jerkbait precisely, and is stout enough to absorb hooksets and runs from a large fish. The choice of line is basically a personal choice, be it monofilament or dacron, or one of the new "superlines." If you're choosing monofiliment, make sure that it is at least 30-pound-test strength.
A leader is the last requirement needed for a successful muskie hunt for a number of different reasons. Since muskies have razor-sharp teeth, the leader is necessary to guard against being bit off. They are also useful for when fish roll in the line during the fight, which most seem to do, as they won't get cut on the gill-rakers. Choose a high-quality leader with at least an eighty-pound-test-strength rating to it, one that is between eighteen and twenty-four-inches and colored black for better concealment.
Pick up a Suick this fall and head to your favorite lake, and experience how exciting and rewarding fall muskie fishing can be. And even though you might need a toque some days, and your fingers may get a little numb, all of that will be forgotten when that fat-bodied 'ski plays tug-of-war on the end of your line!
By Justin Hoffman
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