Early Season and Post Spawn Bucktails
Bucktails and spinnerbaits are the most widely used musky lure class by astronomical margins. Due to their ease of use, they are highly accessible for anglers of any skill level. With it only taking a turn of the handle to get a musky-catching action, it doesn’t require a PhD in rocket surgery to figure out why bucktails rain down on muskies from season opener till close.
Musky anglers with a keen eye for followers can easily see the reluctance building in muskies as the season wears on. Distant, apprehensive bucktail follows are the telltale sign of a muskie that has done some hard time in the ol’ Frabill penitentiary. By the waning days of fall, muskies on pressured waters recoil and retreat from the mere clatter of bucktails hitting the water.
While many savvy musky anglers have identified that bucktails are more played out than “your momma jokes,” one might want to consider bucktails for the earliest days of musky season. No one can state with any certainty what a muskie’s capacity for memory is, but the time they spend locked under the ice seems to be a bit of a mental reset.
As a leader in the field of musky pseudoscience, I would think that the total lack of fishing pressure provided to muskies under the ice allows them to lower their guard a bit. But in reality, the “why” of the matter is immaterial, so let’s tackle the “how” by taking a peek at some unique bucktails for early-season musky success.
Spanky Baits Firefly
The Firefly packs a bunch of punch for a little bucktail. Like all Spanky baits, the Firefly is overbuilt, making it extremely durable. While I tend to shy away from double-bladed bucktails in general, the Firefly is the perfect option for burning over fast shallow flats and emerging vegetation.
RJ Lures French Tail Bucktail
French blades are a rare bird in modern musky fishing, but they used to be a staple. With their high rate of spin, they put off a rapid thump that is perfect for shallow applications. With muskies targeting small prey post-spawn, the tickle of a French blade might be just enough to get one in the sack.
Mepps Musky Killer
You can’t beat a classic, and during the early season, the Mepps Musky Killer is a French blade in-line bucktail design that has put muskies in the net for decades. While Colorado blades reign supreme, the French blade should not be underestimated for early-season and post-spawn muskies.
Livingston Lures Kamakaze
While the Kamakaze is a chatterbait, it is fished in the same manner as a bucktail and should be a major blip on your early-season radar. Fishing the Kamakaze in a straight retrieve manner over shallow flats, sand, and emergent vegetation is a great way to stand out from the pack. If you are on highly pressured waters, opting for the unique thump and profile of a Kamakaze can be a game changer.
In the early days of musky season, taking advantage of the throw-and-go nature of bucktails can help put some quick fish in your net. If you can beat the crowds and the pressure, a simple turn and burn is all it takes, but be ready and willing to quickly transition to other presentation styles for continued success.
Steven Paul
Musky Fishing Expert and Guide
Tennessee Musky Guides
Comments