Muskies, or muskellunge, are found in rivers and lakes across North America. They are solitary predators at the top of the food chain. Known as the fish of 10,000 casts, they can be elusive and frustrating. Those who experience the ferocity of a musky strike will never forget it. It takes dedication, perseverance and practice to become a successful musky fisherman. They are a challenging fish and those who pursue them with a fly rod must be well-prepared.
Habits and Diet
Muskies will eat anything they can get their mouth around. Their diet includes other fish, frogs, ducklings, muskrats, mice and other unlucky animals. Like most members of the pike family, muskies are an ambush predator. They prefer habitat with structure such as weed beds, rock piles and areas with sharp drop offs. Muskies are notorious for following a fly a long distance before striking. Many fish are hooked less than 10 feet away from the boat.
Rods, Reels and Lines
Most serious musky fishermen use an 8 1/2 to 9 foot, 9-, 10- or 11-weight graphite fly rod. Any large arbor reel with a good drag system will suffice. A heavy weight-forward fly line will quickly load the rod and turn over bulky flies. This allows for less false casting and quick followup casts. Consider a heavy sink tip or shooting head when fishing deep water. Fly lines designed for saltwater species often work well for musky fishing and are available from most manufacturers.
Muskie Flies
It takes a big fly to get the attention of a muskie. Most muskie flies are 8 to 12 inches long with some topping 15 inches. Streamers and top water flies are both effective. Saltwater poppers and large divers create commotion on the surface and elicit violent strikes. The best color choice is a subject of much debate. Experiment with different color combinations and don't be afraid to change flies. White, black, orange, and chartreuse are all popular musky colors. The mouth of a musky is tough and bony, so make sure your flies are tied on razor-sharp hooks.
Leaders and Bite Guards
Muskies are not known to be shy, so long leaders are not necessary. A 4- to 6-foot tapered leader is adequate. Longer leaders will increase the odds of fooling trophy bass and pike that may chase your offering. Regardless of leader length, a bite guard is essential. There are several brands of knotable wire that will stand up to the razor sharp teeth of a muskie. Heavy monofilament in the 60- to 80-pound class will also prevent biteoffs. Muskies will often inhale a fly, so make sure your bite guard is at least a foot long.
Casting and Retrieving
Keep your casts short--40 to 50 feet is sufficient. This will improve your hook setting ability and help you spot fish that may be following behind the fly. Vary the speed of your retrieve. Muskies are attracted to fast sudden movements, so don't be afraid of moving the fly too fast. Never stop or slow down the fly if a muskie is following. This is unnatural and often results in a lost opportunity. If a fish follows the fly but turns off it, quickly cast again in the same area. Consider rigging a second rod with a different fly to use on followup casts.
Catch and Release
After landing a muskie, carefully remove the hook and snap a quick picture before returning your trophy to the water. Adequately revive the fish before releasing it to fight another day. Practicing catch and release helps ensure good fishing for generations to come.
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