Keep It Simple

Small River, Big Musky

Often, simplicity plays a very important role in my musky fishing success.  Large amounts of tackle and big expensive boats can improve musky fishing results, but they are not necessary.  Anybody who is familiar with my writing knows that one of my basic philosophies is that muskies bite on well made presentations, not wads of cash.  The main aspects of well made presentations are:  knowledge, experience, quality tackle, proficiency with tackle, and quality lures.

A well designed lure is a lure with a lot of triggering ability.  The trigger of a lure is what causes a musky to strike.  Trigger is evident in any lure that looks good running through the water.  My favorite lure (and I have several that are close) is the Manta Hang 10.  It triggers more fish for me than any other, and it is the best running lure I have ever seen.

In the picture is a hefty 46″ musky I caught while wading in a small stream in northern WI in July of 2009.  I was wearing shorts and sandals.  I had a few simple tools in my pockets.  And I was using quality tackle and a Natural Perch Manta Hang 10.  I had nothing else and needed nothing else.

I worked tight to the  shallow wood and weeds she was using from a distance.  At first she followed for a long way, so high in the water column that her back and tail were out of the water.  I taunted her with wide sharp sweeps and short pauses.  However , she did not strike and tucked herself in under a large log.  On my next cast, I threw past the log and brought the Manta 5′ from it at a different angle.  As it swept by the log, the musky exploded on it with its body rigid and mouth flared.  The rest is history.  Simple is wonderful.

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