Perhaps one of the autumn season’s most pursued quarries, the mighty musky, has also been quite active as of late. As with walleyes, several very nice muskies have been caught and released not just in my boat, but the boats of other area anglers in the last week or two as well. While the activity on suckers rigged with quick-strike rigs has jumped considerably, live bait for muskies is not the only present option; we’ll look at live bait, suckers to be exact, first though.
Any discussion of using suckers for musky fishing needs to have one basic premise – use ONLY quick-strike rigs. This is important for two main reasons: first, your hooking percentage will be the greatest when properly using a quick-strike rig. Secondly, the use of quick-strike rigs is the best way to ensure a successful release of a strong and healthy musky when using live bait. Depending on the number of anglers in my boat, I like to hang one or two suckers over the side, one close to the bottom and one closer to the surface. I then like to drag 1 or 2 more behind the boat suspended below floats; again, I stagger the depths at which I set them.
The keys to a solid hook set when using a quick strike rig begin with making sure the hooks are sharp and the sucker rigged properly. When a fish strikes, it is imperative to position the boat as quickly as possible making sure to get the boat as possible to being over the fish. An angler needs to determine which way the fish is facing and then on the hook set, set opposite – this will drive the rig into the fish and hopefully ensure a solid hook-up.
Whether you choose walleyes or muskies, smallmouth bass or crappies, right now is as good a time as any to be fishing locally. I’ll see you on the water…
Tight lines,
Joel DeBoer
Wisconsin Angling Adventures
www.wisconsinanglingadventures.com 715-297-7573
joelthemuskyman@charter.net
"Fishing's our business...
and business is good!"
