Triple Threat for Fall Muskies
Fall is a season of transition as muskies move from the weed beds of summer to structural elements and open water. This shift often leaves anglers scratching their heads, wondering, “Where did the muskies go?” To stay ahead of the transition and capitalize on the tremendous bite that fall provides, savvy anglers know they need to approach muskies in not just one, but three ways. Let’s break down the triple-threat system that will put more muskies in your net this fall.
1. Trolling
While casting dominates in spring and summer, fall is the season when trolling truly shines. As baitfish like ciscoes, walleyes, and perch migrate to open water, muskies follow. The key to success is covering water, and that’s where the Blade Planer Board comes into play.
Using planer boards allows you to maximize the distance between lures in your spread, effectively covering far more water. Even in states that restrict anglers to just two or three lines, planer boards remain invaluable. They let you target areas too risky to run a boat through and create a wider, more effective spread.
For fall trolling, I rely heavily on the Squeaky Pete, Striker, and Magnus. These lures excel at open-water trolling but can also handle making contact with cover and structure when needed. Trolling at 3 to 4 mph is ideal for covering ground while still keeping your baits in the strike zone for sluggish or reluctant muskies.
2. Live Bait
As water temperatures dip into the 50s, sucker fishing becomes one of the most reliable fall options. Muskies are bulking up for winter, and a well-placed sucker can be irresistible.
Through experience, I’ve found greater success with moderately sized suckers in the 8- to 10-inch range. While some shops carry giants up to 24 inches, going conservative ensures more consistent action. Always use a quick-strike rig to guarantee safe release, but take things up a notch by adding a Livingston Lures EBS Bullet.
The EBS Bullet is a self-contained unit that emits electronic baitfish sounds (EBS), just like Livingston lures, but in a modular design. I simply tie it above my quick-strike rig, and let the EBS work it’s magic, pulling in muskies that might otherwise never detect a sucker outside of their visual range.
With forward-facing sonar, I’ve seen suckers often freeze up when a muskie approaches, barely moving. The EBS Bullet, however, keeps things lively, broadcasting the sounds of wounded baitfish like a beacon, making it clear to predators that there’s an easy meal nearby.
3. Casting
Fall casting differs from summer in one critical way as you need to think deeper. My go-to fall presentation is the Kraken, which I work over deep cover and structure with simple upward pops of the rod to make it dart like a wounded baitfish.
To reach the depths where muskies stage, I often add BBs or lead shot into the hollow chamber beneath the Kraken’s removable weight system. This lets me fish the Kraken 18 to 20 feet down with ease.
One key to success is executing a deep figure-eight at the boat. I often leave five feet of line out, hopping the Kraken in a circle below the surface to keep following muskies engaged. Many fall fish don’t want to rise high in the water column, so staying deep boat-side is critical.
The Kraken also pairs perfectly with live suckers. I recommend placing a sucker rig near your casting lanes and bringing the Kraken past it with each retrieve. On forward-facing sonar, I’ve watched muskies follow in my Kraken only to peel off and inhale a sucker rigged with an EBS Bullet right beside the boat.
The Triple Threat
Fall muskie fishing is never easy, it’s cold, bites can be hours apart, and success requires patience. But by becoming a triple threat by trolling wide spreads with Blade Planer Boards, soaking suckers enhanced with EBS Bullets, and probing the depths with a weighted Kraken, you’ll stack the odds in your favor and elevate your fall muskie game to new heights.
