What Are The 7 Best Musky Lures To Drive Big Musky Crazy?
We've got the top 7 best lures for big musky. Read our review of musky lures to find the best ones for you.
You're going after that lunker musky and can't figure out what lure to throw?
The muskellunge is one of the toughest, toothiest predators that swims, and they're a real prize to catch. It can be the fight of a lifetime. But you need to have the right bait to throw at them, and if you don't, the fish of 1,000 casts can be the fish of 10,000 casts.
There are so many lure choices to make, you don’t have the time to wade through the options. No worries, we have you covered with our research so you can make an educated musky lure buying decision quickly.
Keep reading to find the best musky lure that’s right for you.
How We Choose
We know that the only thing better than having a great lure is the peace of mind that comes with it, knowing you don’t have to worry about gear.
Our team has read through thousands of user reviews and star ratings to come up with a list that makes it easier for you to decide the muskie lure to choose. Don’t bother spending lots of time reading over many many reviews, we’ve done it for you and have come up with the top 7 best muskie baits to help you get the most out of your next fishing trip.
There’s a lure here that’s best for you. Read below for details and you can check the price on the one that you like.
What Are The 7 Best Musky Lures?
1. Mepps BM HO-BO MuskyKiller-Bucktail, 3/4-Ounce, Hot Orange
Best Classic Spinnerbait For Musky
Mepps BM MuskyKiller Bucktail 3/4oz. Hot Orange
Why we love it
The Mepps BMHO-BO Musky Killer is a 3/4-ounce weight that comes in hot orange. The little company that started out of the back room at Antigo's small sports shop and under their leadership, has grown to become one of America’s most important fishing tackle brands today.
The Mepps spinners are just a staple of fishing and should be part of every serious fisherman's tackle box. The company's philosophy has always been the same: design, test and continually improve their products so anglers can have the best possible fishing experience.
The blades of the Mepps spinner rotate on a central axis to produce an eye-catching flash that is sure to attract fish from a distance. The fish sees the flash and is curious, comes closer to investigate and then BAM, they're hooked!
The Mepps spinner also has a unique construction that allows it to wobble as it rotates. This creates an erratic swimming action that fish find irresistible. The blades are also designed to create maximum vibration in the water, sending out an echo that fish can sense.
Here’s what to know
- This is considered a "killer" musky lure
- Best musky bait color is hot orange
- Quality and materials are why this is a must have for any fisherman
- Mepps is a big player in the fishing tackle industry
2. River2Sea Wpl Whopper Plopper
Why We Love It
The Whopper Plopper is a secret weapon for musky fishing. This soft, pliable tail rotates on the harness and creates tempting rumbles at varied speeds or depths to attract a variety of fish.
These lures are built tough and are designed to handle the bumping off rocks and stump structure where fish hide out.
If you are looking for one of the best topwater lures on the market, it's definitely the Whopper Plopper. We've watched this lure catch fish after fish after fish. The violent action on this lure with the tail rotating quickly, creating a rooster tail effect, makes enough commotion to attract many types of fish. We've caught largemouth bass on this lure quite effectively, too.
The Whopper Plopper is a topwater lure that makes the perfect buzz saw like sound for musky fishing in high pressure situations and when you need to cover more ground. The tail is made of super-tough plastic, so it will flex right back into place whether it gets chomped on or gets casted off of a rock or stump.
Here’s what to know
- River2Sea WPL110/14 \Whopper Plopper
- 110, bone, 3/4 oz, 4 3/8in
- #2 Treble hooks
- 6.25in long
3. Live Target Hollow Body Mouse
Why We Love It
We love the way this mouse looks. It's so lifelike, you could use it to fool your friends by tossing it in the corner. It's perfect for bass and pike in heavy cover. It's almost like a frog, it's the same concept with the hollow body, and has the same hooks.
The paint job on these is incredibly detailed and brings out every little muscle on these critters' bodies quite nicely without looking too fake or computer generated. The brown/white version of this was a Best in Show winner at iCast when it was introduced in 2011.
It's weedless, and works best when worked across pads or grass mats. We've had luck with this fishing it around docks too, catching largemouth bass on it.
Here’s What to Know
- 2.25 inches
- Fishes like a frog
- Hollow body for collapsibility
- Sharp frog style hooks
4. Eppinger Dardevle Spoon
Why We Love It
The Dardevle fishing lures are considered to be one of the best, if not the very best. The Dardevle spoon is a must-have for any fisherman. These unique designs help you catch more fish by creating a wobble and flash in their water. We've caught lots of pike by trolling these spoons, and they're perfect for musky too. The spoon design has been perfected over time, and they're right for any type or size pike, musky, no matter how large.
The original design by Lou Eppinger way back in 1906 has made it one of the most iconic lures across all time. There are tons of sizes ranging from small enough so that kids can use them to large ones designed for experienced anglers. For targeting musky, use a bigger one, such as a 2oz. version, at 4/1/2" x 2" to go after more aggressive fish.
We like the Daredevle because it's one of the all-time classic musky lures, but at least one spoon lure needs to be in your tackle box, regardless of brand.
Here’s What to Know
- Nickel Back
- Brass Back
- Copper Back
- Multiple color combinations
- Multiple sizes
5. Musky Mayhem Tackle Double Cowgirl
Best Skirted Spinnerbait For Musky
Musky Mayhem Tackle Double Cowgirl Musky Lure
Why We Love It
If you're looking for something different to simulate the action of an inline spinner, then this lure is sure worth trying. The large spinner blades create vibrations in water which makes it very attractive. Plus, there's "Flashabou" skirting around each blade giving more color, and the huge profile makes these lures best imitating inline spinners on market today.
Musky love the commotion and flash, and these lures trigger strikes because they're so obnoxious in the water. But that's what catches fish!
It's an expensive lure, but the bigger, heavier lures for bigger fish are all a few bucks more.
Here’s What to Know
- Two 7/0 Mustad Hooks
- 2.8 oz.
- 10″ Long
- Two #10 Magnum Blades
6. Musky Innovations Swimmin' Dawg Musky Lure
Why We Love It
Luke Ronnestrand designed these lures to look and swim just like a real fish. The Magnum Shallow Swimmin' Dawg has an internal "Pro Style" harness that gives this lure better "thump" and swimming action, and a forward front hook design for better hook ups. The entire lure is flexible and has great life-like action. The extra belly roll makes this lure run under water at about four feet, but you can control the depths with the speed of your retrieve and your rod angle.
These can be fished solo, as is, or by adding a small sinker to the front eye ring. Also they're effective with a blade attachment rigged in front of the bait. And if you want to use a straight retrieve, that works, or pause and pull to give it some additional action. Either way, the paddle tail "waves" as it swims through the water.
Here’s What to Know
- 10" magnum or 8" regular size
- 5.8 oz.
- 2 5/0 treble hooks
- Multiple colors available
- Designed by swim bait expert Luke Ronnestrand
7. Musky Mania Jake, Fire Tiger, 8-Inch
Why We Love It
The Jake is one of the top big minnow baits on the market, at 8 inches long. The lip design of this lure makes it an excellent choice for musky. The action on this lure comes from its narrow, flat-sided body with unique curves that generate tremendous wobble and flash when swimming underwater at high speeds. And musky react to the action, which is why this lure makes our list.
Here’s What to Know
- #1 big minnow bait on the market
- The “high-impact” lip is designed to hammer the structure, trees or rocks
- Acts as a forage baitfish struggling for as it attempts to swim upright.
Things To Consider When Buying Musky Lures
-Size
For musky, you'll want to use larger lures. Size 2/0 to 5/0 are good choices.
-Color:
Musky are attracted to bright colors, so choose lures that are brightly colored.
-Type:
There are many different types of musky lures available. Some of the most popular include inline spinners, spinnerbaits, and swimbaits. Choose the type of lure that you're most comfortable using.
-Action: Musky lures with a lot of action, such as those that create a lot of vibration or flash, are often the most effective. Choose lures that have a lot of action to them.
-Price:
Musky lures can be expensive, but you don't have to spend a lot of money to catch fish. There are many good quality lures available at a variety of price points. Choose the lure that fits your budget.
Best Musky Lures FAQ
Still have questions about musky lures?
We’ve created a buyer’s guide of frequently asked questions to help you understand what to look for when choosing the best musky lures for your situation.
What is the best lure to catch muskie?
Here are our 7 top musky lures:
Mepps BM HO-BO MuskyKiller-Bucktail, 3/4-Ounce, Hot Orange
Musky Mayhem Tackle Double Cowgirl
Musky Innovations Swimmin' Dawg Musky Lure
Eppinger Dardevle Dardevle Spoon
Musky Mania Jake, Fire Tiger, 8-Inch
What colors do muskie see best?
When you're out fishing for muskellunge, here's what color combos work best. Stealthy natural hues like black or white will help make the lure invisible and match the hatch of musky food. Gold or silver are also useful when targeting musky.
What is the best time of day to catch muskie?
When you're out fishing for muskies, be sure to check local regulations on when they are most active. The best times will vary depending upon location and season but typically, they show up during dawn or dusk hours. Cool, overcast days seem to be better for targeting muskie.
Do musky hit topwater lures?
In the early part of the season, fish are shallow, soaking up the heat, so a topwater is the perfect lure to use then.
How old is a 50-inch muskie?
Growth and size can vary depending on the body of water, taking in factors such as lake productivity, forage and genetics. Depending on the body of water, muskellunge in Minnesota could take 13 to 21 years to reach 50 inches.
Are muskie good eating?
People who love eating muskies will tell you that muskie tastes quite similar to bass. Others believe it tastes more like pike. Either way, muskie is more of a bland fish with not as much flavor as other fish species, like salmon or tuna. Much of the taste of the fish depends on how you cook it. Most people don't eat musky, preferring the catch and release method.
How hard is it to catch a muskie?
The Muskie is known as the “fish of 10,000 casts" They have razor sharp teeth that can slice through line and skin quickly, and they tend to be finicky. Many seasoned anglers targeting muskie can go weeks without catching one.
What month is best for muskie fishing?
The summer months when the water is warm, and the fish are most active can be productive for musky fishing. Fall fishing can also be very productive at times, when many of the largest muskies are caught.
What is considered a trophy muskie?
Anglers all over talk about this all the time. Most of them will say a trophy muskie is at least 50 inches.
The Best Musky Lures - The Last Cast
So, what’s the musky lure? The answer to that may vary from person to person but we’ve tried to provide a variety of best options for you based on thousands of reviews. We hope you find this information helpful to find the lures you need.
All you have to do now is just click the orange button to check the price on the best musky lures for you. Thanks!
Cheers to the outdoors,
Bert
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Bert Martin