The primary “rubber” muskie bait I ever purchased (I name it rubber however the appropriate time period is smooth plastic) was a Musky Improvements Magnum Bull Dawg, broadly referred to as a “Magazine-Dawg.” The hype was effectively established and I used to be keen to make use of it. Having heard there’s no improper method to fish a Bull Dawg, I experimented with retrieves as I labored the primary spot of the day. I solid to the tip of an belowwater rock level and started pulling the Dawg again with aspect sweeps, adopted by a pause to reel up slack line. Mid-retrieve, I felt weight and set the hook.
The rod loaded and pulsed from heavy head shakes, adopted by the unforgettable sight of an enormous muskie clearing the floor, gills flared, and my Bull Dawg pinned within the nook of its mouth. From their introduction in 1993, Bull Dawgs modified the sport of muskie fishing. The final 30 years has seen the market flooded with each conceivable dimension and form of rubber bait.
Tubes, Dawgs, and Medussas
Chaos’s Medussa and large tubes within the seven-to 12-inch vary are additionally mainstays within the rubber sport. The popular technique of fishing these baits is the pull-and-pause Chaos Medussa approach, for which the phrase rippin’ rubber was coined. Their giant profile and lifelike appendages surge by means of the water, drawing consideration. The pause supplies a straightforward goal, triggering strikes.
To fish deeper, depend them down or use longer pauses. Shorter, extra speedy rips maintain them increased within the column. Rubber could be very versatile when it comes to hurry and depth. Experiment quite a bit.
An unusual, however nonetheless efficient method to fish Dawgs and Medussas is a straight retrieve.
The most important muskie I’ve ever seen ate a pounder-sized Bull Dawg that was being jerk-trolled within the propwash, slightly below the floor.
The fish wasn’t landed, however I nonetheless name that spot “World Document Reef.”
Swim it
Swimbaits are a class all their very own. Merely put, they appear and swim like fish. With sizes ranging from six to 18 inches, swimbaits get the nod from opener till ice-up.
Notable baits embody Chaos’s Poseidon, Musky Improvements Swimmin’ Dawg line and Ontario-made Waterwolf Lure’s Shadzilla household. The hole physique design of the Shadzilla offers it further physique transferment and a extra pronounced tail kick.
A consumer of mine introduced the primary magnum-sized Shadzilla I ever noticed. At 12″ and ¾ of a pound, they’re an enormous bait. By the top of the journey, he landed a 50- and a 53-inch muskie on it. There’s not a lot extra to say — massive swimbaits work.
I usually straight retrieve all my swimbaits, various depth and pace of retrieval. One exception is the Shallow Bull Dawg, which I rip over, round, and thru weeds in the summertime. This aggressive tactic triggers strikes and has change into a staple for fishing summertime weeds.
Jig it
Bondy baits are one other stand-alone class of muskie lures. Massive, heavy, and streamlined, they’re made for jigging they usually work exceptionally effectively.
In case you’re not jigging for muskie, you’re lacking out. Massive tubes additionally work as effectively when jigged. Tubes might be rigged gentle to fish shallow or heavy to fish deep. There’s by no means a time within the season once I don’t have a tube able to go. They’re presumably probably the most versatile muskie lure accessible.
The enchantment of rubber muskie baits is multi-faceted however stays rooted of their giant profile and lifelike motion. As a information and muskie nut, I’m excited to see what 30 extra years of ripping rubber will carry.
A swimbait that appears like a muskie fetch toy. I restore smooth plastics in my store by heating a utility knife blade with a blowtorch, then making use of it to the tears to fuse the fabric.
Costume it up
Including blade rigs to rubber baits brings vibration and flash. Hawg Collars are spinnerbait arms that pair effectively with swimbaits for each casting and trolling purposes. Bull Dozer Blades are an inline blade possibility for the entrance of any kind of rubber. I add a Colorado or willow blade to the tail treble hook of all my tubes.
Keep away from a fouled solid
Mushy baits are inclined to foul quite a bit on the solid. A hook will seize the chief or the tail of the bait, and it received’t run proper. A trick I discovered is to make use of a solid that may finest be described as a lob. Start by letting out a number of toes of line. Mid-cast, contact the spool together with your thumb to tighten up the road in flight, letting the bait draw back from the chief. If it nonetheless fouls, give some fast pops of the rod with the tip up excessive. Generally it’s sufficient to free the chief from the hook so your solid isn’t wasted.
Be a part of our e-newsletter
Seeking to get updates straight to your inbox? Join our e-newsletter.
You’ll be able to unsubscribe at any time.
