Follows----> Strikes

[muskie guy]

For the past 2 years I catch 50% of my muskies in the 8. I can get nearly every fish that fallows into a figure 8 to bite by using a different style of figure 8. Instead of just making the 8 at boat side, I change depth and speed through the maneuver.
If I see a fallower I speed up and make my L turn while pushing the rod down deeper, as I make the first turn I bring the bait shallower and slow down. At this point the lure is shallow and away from the boat. I keep the bait moving, of course, and speed up as I dive the bait deep and back in twards the boat. I make the next turn away from the boat, slow down and rise up shallow again.
So in the strait aways I speed up and go deep. In the corners I slow down and go shallow. I think this gives the muskie a more recognizable representation of a fleeing fish. If you see a pike or muskie chasing down it's dinner you'll see the prey changing depth and speed as it trys to get away and grows tired.
Like I said, I've been doing it for 2 years and I think I hook 90% of the muskie that fallow into the first turn of the maneuver, it works great for me.

[muskie guy]

Oh and don't tell anyone! This is a double-top-secret maneuver...sshhhhhh..

[kevinb]

I do not know if this will help but, when I fish for Pike and start to get alot of followers I have a second rod rigged with one of my favorite swimbaits. When the Pike follows and refuses a crank of spinner I just drop the crank rod and toss a weighted swimbait to where I last saw the Pike and let it swim its way to the bottom on a pendulum so as to feel the take, it usually never makes it to the bottom. I have missed some fish doing this to just recast and repeat to finally get a hookup. I have not fished for Musky so do not know if this will help or not. Note to self: must fish for Musky!

No,..this is very helpful. The tiger muskie is crossed with both muskie and pike. Its my opinion that what works with a northern will probably work just as/or almost as well with a tiger. They probably could have called it "Northern Tiger" "Tiger Pike""Northern Tiger Pike Toothie Thingy"I can keep going...

[Deadeyemark]

Kevinb,
What is that pic you're using for your avatar? It looks like a roll of toilet paper with an apple jolley rancher sticking out of it.

[fishaholictaz]

Kevinb,
What is that pic you're using for your avatar? It looks like a roll of toilet paper with an apple jolley rancher sticking out of it.

LMAO =d> :thumleft:

[kevinb]

Kevinb,
What is that pic you're using for your avatar? It looks like a roll of toilet paper with an apple jolley rancher sticking out of it.

Oh,that pic....thats my dog Stanley.
I couldn't find a tiger big enough:-" Just kidding... kinda looks like my mother in-law

[kevinb]

Another lesson I've learned the hard way.
Keep your figure 8 or o's....whichever. WIDE
I had a solid follow(this dude meant business) worked him into a figure 8,on the third turn I cut it just a little to sharp and he looked at me and gave me the FIN. Off he goes.......

[muskyhunter]

Not only can you do an 8, L, or a big loop. You can also take your bait and slap the surface of the water to get a Musky to come back. If the water is flat and the fish can see you this helps break up the clarity of the water for the fish. Slap the water and if she comes back then do whatever motion you prefer to get the Musky to strike at the bait. I did this a few times back in the homeland lakes in Wisconsin. It does work every now and then. Just another idea I just remembered from years past.

[kevinb]

Not only can you do an 8, L, or a big loop. You can also take your bait and slap the surface of the water to get a Musky to come back. If the water is flat and the fish can see you this helps break up the clarity of the water for the fish. Slap the water and if she comes back then do whatever motion you prefer to get the Musky to strike at the bait. I did this a few times back in the homeland lakes in Wisconsin. It does work every now and then. Just another idea I just remembered from years past.

Another great tip.....When we goin fish'n?

[Gone Fishin]

I learned that lesson the hard way also kevin. The biggest musky I have seen in Silver (45ish) and he was too fat to make the smaller turns but he tried so hard and then just laughed and swam away.

[kevinb]

Maybe I'll try tossing a DuPont Wiggler That'll get me banned for life but they won't be swimming away.....