How To Get Strikes On Your Muskie Streamer
Catching voracious muskies on a fly rod might be one of the most difficult pinnacles of fly fishing, yet one of the most exciting and satisfying to achieve. Here’s great video example, along with our pro tips of of how to trigger strikes on your muskie streamer.
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Fishing for muskie in any form takes brutal dedication. Add the intense work of casting a huge articulated streamer with a sturdy heavy-weight fly rod, and you’ve pretty much accomplished a full fitness workout.
You’ve probably heard the saying that muskie are the “fish of 10,000 casts.” They are selective fish, but explosive when hooked. Not unlike steelhead, it can take many hours on average to catch one, but once you do you’ll forever be a muskie fan.
Our pro tips to trigger a muskie strike are (with the good news that these techniques double up fishing for large northern pike as well):
Video example to wet your appetite!
Here’s a great video posted by Logan Garrett15, on Instagram. Most muskie and pike fishing is in more murky water or depths where you aren’t as likely to see them hit as in this video, but when they get close to you is the time to really keep your eye out for any shadow while they are lurking.
This video is a great illustration, aided by the close-up view and reasonably visible water, of how muskie tend to follow and inspect before committing. It took circling the fly in a figure eight for a while actually, before getting nailed with an impressive hit.
Our heart gets pumping just watching this action.
Our pro tips to trigger a muskie strike are (with the good news that these techniques double up fishing for large northern pike as well):
Use a streamer that a muskie will think is worth its while.
That means a large, articulated streamer with action like a wounded or fleeing fish. You’ll want materials that both flutter in the water (e.g. lots of maribou and feathers), combined with a bit of flash, and lots of hair for bulk.
Realistic is better than too much flash, but if it looks like a big hairy Halloween monster, you’ve probably got a winner. But as one of our readers points out, Ian Pence of makereatguideservice.com points out, not too big either. In his experience, 6-8 inches is the optimal size for most conditions, except early fall whey they are more actively feeding, and sometimes smaller.
Realistic is better than too much flash (unlike steelhead for example, more like going after lunker largemouth), we have some recommendations at the link below.
Use an active, varied retrieve with lateral motion.
You’re not trying to tempt them with a slow and methodical retrieve, as much as make them think they’re about to miss out on the meal-of-the-year unless they strike.
Think large predator fishing, not subtle trout fishing. Use a disjointed stripping technique erring on the side of longer strips, but be certain to include lateral movement that mimics a wounded baitfish. They often won’t strike until the have that cross-ways movement, which is also why the figure 8 at the end is so important.
Also, when you aren’t having any luck be sure to vary the depth, direction, speed, and lengths of your strips till you find them.
Be sure to figure-8 your fly, two-to-three times and no less!
Before your lifting your fly out of the water for another cast, know that muskies and pike are notorious for following your fly to the boat, only to observe it while you pull it out of the water. Maybe they weren’t quite convinced, but remember they only got so large by being smart.
A figure-8 simulates a wounded fish that can’t swim straight. Give them a final enticing chance, and again make it seem like they’re going to miss out if they don’t strike.
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The video also shows some excellent long-casting in tight quarters, from a stand-up position in a fishing kayak.
As you’ve probably figured out by now, many muskie and pike are missed because anglers pull their fly out too early. We have personally watched lunkers come up literally next to, and under our boat, mere shadows, and swim away once we pull our offering out of the water.
Conversely, a substantial percentage of muskie and pike are caught on the final figure eight. It’s a critical skill to master, so don’t wait, incorporate it into every cast right from the start.
Of course, be sure to use a stout rod that can take that explosion in close quarters, and a wire leader so your line doesn’t get abraded off by their sharp teeth and gills.
Nice to be inspired by this video, but keep your spirits up when they aren’t hitting and even when you can’t see down much in the water. That next cast could be the one….
By Mark Velicer
An avid fly fisher for over 40 years, Mark has lived and fly fished WA, MI, CA, PA and NY along with countless trips to other places. He can’t get enough of the water; white water kayaking, rafting, drift boating, and hiking to alpine lakes.
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