Gear & Tackle
Similar in both nature and appearance, northern pike and muskellunge are among the largest, most aggressive freshwater fish in America. Pike can reach upwards
of 20 pounds, while muskies can tip the scales at 30. Stout tackle is the obvious choice-
heavy baitcasting rods from 6' to 8', Ambassadeur reels filled with Trilene XT or FireLine
in 14# to 30# test. Also essential is a stiff wire leader ahead of the bait, which
prevents these toothy giants from biting through the line.
Lures & Presentation
Think big. Topwaters, buzz baits, stickbaits,
crankbaits, bucktail spinners, big spoons and hair jigs all have their place in your
arsenal. Be prepared to fish everything from thick, shallow weeds to deep rocks. Casting,
trolling and jigging are all effective, most often dictated by time of year and water
temperature. Rule of thumb: cast shallow, jig deep, troll both.
How to Locate
For both species, work shallow (2' to 10') warm water
bays in spring; deeper (18' to 25') main-lake weedlines and rock reefs in summer and fall.
Moving water, such as an incoming stream or narrows, is nearly always attractive to pike
and muskie, as is close access to deep water.
Effective Baits
Big fish look for big bait, often up to a quarter of
their own length. Active fish attack flashy, fast-moving lures, while neutral fish need a
bit of coaxing with slower presentations and scented baits. Large sucker minnows on a jig
or spinnerbait are popular for working weedlines. Dead bait such as large smelt under a
large float is a tried-and-true shallow water presentation. Berkley Power Bait grubs,
lizards, craws, shad and frogs are ideal for use as trailers on a variety of big fish
lures. Liquid Power Bait also works well, encouraging following fish to strike. |
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