Musky Shop Blog

Muskie Reel Down
Musky Fishing Spring
March 01, 2024

Musky Fishing In Spring: Must Have Musky Lures

Spring is a great time to target musky, the most elusive, and powerful freshwater fish that can grow up to 50 inches or more. Muskies are often found in shallow water during spring, as they follow baitfish seeking warmer temperatures. However, spring musky fishing can also be challenging, as the fish can be picky and temperamental due to the changing weather conditions. To increase your chances of hooking a spring musky, you need to choose the right lures and tactics for the situation. Here are some tips and recommendations for the best lures for spring musky fishing.

Soft Plastics

Soft plastic lures are a versatile and effective option for spring musky fishing. They have a realistic and subtle movement that can entice a musky that might ignore a more flashy lure. Soft plastic lures can also be fished in different ways, such as straight retrieve, jigging, ripping, or pumping, depending on the depth and mood of the fish.

Some of the best soft plastic lures for spring musky fishing are:

This is one of the most popular and proven soft plastic lures for musky fishing. It has a large profile and a curly tail that creates a lot of vibration and action. It comes in various sizes, weights, and colors, and can be fished in multiple ways. The Bull Dawg is especially effective in cold water, as it can be fished slowly and steadily to trigger a bite.

This is another soft plastic lure that has a lot of fans among musky anglers. It has three tails that create a lot of movement and drag, making it ideal for a pull-pause or jigging technique. The Medussa has a gliding and falling action that can entice a musky to strike on the pause. It also comes in different sizes and colors, and can be fished in various depths.

This is a tube jig bait that is similar to the ones used for bass or crappie fishing, but much bigger and heavier. The Monster Tube has a hollow body and a skirt that flares out when it falls, creating a lifelike appearance and action. The Monster Tube can be fished with a jig head or a weighted hook and can be retrieved or jigged along the bottom or near the cover.

Bucktails

Bucktail lures are classic and simple lures that consist of a metal blade and a hair or synthetic tail. They are easy to use and can cover a lot of water quickly. Bucktail lures are ideal for spring musky fishing, as they can imitate the baitfish that musky feed on, such as shad, perch, or suckers. Bucktail lures can also be fished at different speeds and depths, depending on the blade size, body weight, and shape.

Some of the best bucktail lures for spring musky fishing are:

This is one of the most famous and effective bucktail lures for musky fishing. It has a large willow blade that spins fast and creates a lot of flash and vibration. It also has a long and bushy tail that adds more action and visibility. The Musky Killer can be fished with a steady or varied retrieve and can be used in clear or stained water.

This is a double-bladed bucktail lure that creates a lot of noise and commotion in the water. It has two large magnum blades that spin in opposite directions, creating a unique sound and vibration. It also has a long and flashy tail that attracts attention. The Double Cowgirl can be fished with a fast or slow retrieve and can be used in murky or windy condition

This is a hybrid bucktail lure that combines a metal blade, a marabou tail, and a large reaper tail. It has a smaller and lighter blade that spins easily and creates a subtle flash and vibration. It also has a soft and fluffy tail that moves naturally and creates a pulsating action. The Extractor can be fished with a slow or moderate retrieve and can be used in calm or clear water.

Crankbaits

Crankbait lures are hard-bodied lures that typically have a lip or a bill that makes them dive and wobble when retrieved. They are designed to mimic the shape and movement of a baitfish, such as a minnow, a shad, or a perch. Crankbait lures are a good choice for spring musky fishing, as they can trigger a reaction bite from a musky that is chasing or ambushing prey. Crankbait lures can also be fished in different ways, such as straight, twitched, or pull-stop, depending on the lure type and the fish's behavior.

Some of the best crankbait lures for spring musky fishing are:

This is a large and realistic crankbait lure that has a balsa wood body and a plastic lip. It has a natural and lifelike appearance and action and can imitate a variety of baitfish. It also has a loud rattle that attracts attention. The Super Shad Rap can be fished with a steady or erratic retrieve and can be used in shallow or deep water.

This is a unique and legendary crankbait lure that has a wooden body and plastic diving lip. It has an easily utilized action that can entice a musky to strike. It can be fished with a light twitching technique and for a bit of springtime trolling, can even reach trolling depths of 5-6 feet.

This is an excellent spring crankbait lure that combines a hard cedar body with a sturdy Lexan lip. Its lip makes it dive and wiggle when retrieved. It can be fished with a straight or varied retrieve and can be used in clear or stained water.

Spring musky fishing can be rewarding and exciting, but also challenging and frustrating. In order to increase your chances of landing a trophy musky, you need to choose the right lures and tactics for the situation. The lures mentioned above are some of the best options for spring musky fishing, as they can imitate the baitfish that musky feed on and trigger a bite from a hungry or curious musky. However, you also need to consider other factors, such as the water temperature, clarity, depth, structure, vegetation, weather, and fish mood, and adjust your lure selection and presentation accordingly. Remember, musky fishing is a game of patience and persistence, so don't give up and keep trying different lures and techniques until you find what works.

Musky fishing musky hunter musky shop musky lures musky on the fly  musky fly fishing musky flies musky fever musky addict musky guide musky shop guide service muskie fishing muskie nation muskies Canada Northwoods Wisconsin muskies fishing guides fishing guide service fiske esox pike snoeken rods reels lures baits line leader net tackle box bass panfish Minocqua

Read more

Musky Season Is Never Over for Avid Anglers
December 11, 2023

Musky Season Is Never Over for Avid Anglers

So now that the lakes are officially frozen and it’s time to seal up the family barge, what can avid musky anglers do to hold them over for the long winter season?

Read more

How to Nail Down Late Summer Muskies!
August 21, 2023

How to Nail Down Late Summer Muskies!

So, if you’re heading out to fish the remaining few weeks of Summer, Musky Shop can help you out with some selections that definitely cater to the Late Summer Bite.

Read more

Ultimate Guide to 5 Underutilized Topwater Lures
July 10, 2023

Ultimate Guide to 5 Underutilized Topwater Lures

Though everyone has their favorite when it comes to topwater, most of those favorites include about 3 versions of the same tail-slappin’ bait.

Read more

Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Early July
July 07, 2023

Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Early July

Fishing in the Northwoods of Wisconsin has been fantastic. Many species are a bit scattered but with a little luck, you’re bound to find them.

Read more

Father's Day Favorites to Please Our Dad's
June 16, 2023

Father's Day Favorites to Please Our Dad's

It’s a great time to highlight some perfect musky fishing favorites that might help your dad boat a trophy while saving them from the agony of opening another odd pair of printed socks.

Read more

Catch 'Em with Spinners A Musky Favorite
May 15, 2023

Catch 'Em with Spinners A Musky Favorite

Bucktails or in-line spinners are a favorite among musky gurus and novices alike as they are remarkably easy to cast and retrieve.

Read more

Musky Shop Lake of the Month: Katherine Lake
April 24, 2023

Musky Shop Lake of the Month: Katherine Lake

Katherine Lake is a clear water gem in the Northwoods, perfect for fishing a number of species, specifically trophy class musky.

Read more

Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Late April
April 21, 2023

Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Late April

If you decide to try some late season ice fishing, please use extreme caution and take all of the necessary precautions.

Read more

Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Early March
March 10, 2023

Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Early March

The game fish season in northern Wisconsin has come to an end.

Read more

Musky Shop Annual Customer Appreciation Sale on Saturday!!!
March 03, 2023

Musky Shop Annual Customer Appreciation Sale on Saturday!!!

Musky Shop is having it's Annual (In-Store) Customer Appreciation Sale on Saturday, March 4th.

Read more

Musky Shop Northwood's Fishing Report: Late February
February 24, 2023

Musky Shop Northwood's Fishing Report: Late February

The Wisconsin game fish season is winding down as it ends March 5th 2023. Ice fishing has been quite good despite the swings in the weather.

Read more

Musky Upgrades: 10 Accessories We’d Rather Not Live Without
February 17, 2023

Musky Upgrades: 10 Accessories We’d Rather Not Live Without

So here are a few accessories to gussy up your fishing gear collection that you may not need, but your heart will definitely desire.

Read more

9 Best Muskellunge Fishing Lakes in Ohio
January 23, 2023

9 Best Muskellunge Fishing Lakes in Ohio

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has been stocking muskies diligently in several of the state’s man-made reservoirs for decades, and the results speak for themselves.

Read more

What's The Deal With Drag?
January 16, 2023

What's The Deal With Drag?

One of those seemingly simple similarities are the adjustment and maintenance of baitcaster drag.

Read more

Ice Up: Adding to your Ice Fishing Tackle Box
December 12, 2022

Ice Up: Adding to your Ice Fishing Tackle Box

As ice up is inching in, it might be time to add a few things to your box to make sure you are ready for the season.

Read more

Musky Shop North Woods Fishing Report: Late November
November 18, 2022

Musky Shop North Woods Fishing Report: Late November

The open water portion of the fishing season here in the Northwoods of Wisconsin is nearing the end.

Read more

Musky Shop North Woods Fishing Report: Early November
November 04, 2022

Musky Shop North Woods Fishing Report: Early November

With November's arrival, an above average stretch of weather continues to heavily influence fishing in the Northwoods.

Read more

Musky Shop Lake of the Month: Harris Lake
October 17, 2022

Musky Shop Lake of the Month: Harris Lake

Harris Lake is a bowl lake with very moderate musky pressure.

Read more

Musky Shop North Woods Fishing Report: Late September
September 23, 2022

Musky Shop North Woods Fishing Report: Late September

Fishing report for late September!

Read more

Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Early September
September 09, 2022

Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Early September

With summer ending we are entering into fall and fall type movements of fish.

Read more

September Turnover and Topwater Activity for Musky
August 29, 2022

September Turnover and Topwater Activity for Musky

Topwater in Wisconsin is amazing to witness if you get your boat out and explore the shallow weeds.

Read more

The PMTT Sonar Saga: What is Pro-level?
August 26, 2022

The PMTT Sonar Saga: What is Pro-level?

For professional anglers that use sonar daily to keep clients coming and boating fish against the odds, isn’t unfair, it’s modernization.

Read more

Musky Shop Lake of the Month: Papoose Lake
August 22, 2022

Musky Shop Lake of the Month: Papoose Lake

Papoose Lake is a 422-acre lake with a max depth of 65 feet

Read more