15 Musky Fishing Tips to Land More Fish This Season

If you’ve spent any time on the water chasing "the fish of ten thousand casts," you know that musky fishing is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. There’s nothing quite like the rush of seeing a 50-inch shadow follow your lure right to the boat, but there’s also nothing as frustrating as going a week without a strike.

At Nightfall Outdoors, we live for these moments. We design our gear to handle the toothy beasts that break lesser equipment. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting your first heavy-duty baitcaster ready, these 15 tips will help you put more fish in the net this season. We like to keep things simple and effective: just like our tackle.

1. Master the Figure-8 (Every Single Cast)

It sounds like a cliché, but you’d be surprised how many anglers get lazy. A musky will often follow a lure all the way to the boat without you even realizing it. If you pull your lure out of the water the moment it reaches the tip of your rod, you’re missing out on the most high-percentage strike zone.

Always perform a wide, deep figure-8 at the end of every retrieve. Keep your rod tip deep in the water to prevent the fish from spooking and to give the lure a more natural "turn" in the water. At Nightfall Outdoors, we build our custom musky lures to maintain their action even during these tight turns, ensuring that the predator stays interested until the very last second.

2. Upsize Your Bucktails as the Water Warms

When the water is cold in the early spring, small bucktails are the way to go. But as the temperature climbs above 50°F, it’s time to bring out the big guns. In-line spinners, or bucktails, are arguably the most potent tools in your box during the summer months.

The vibration and flash of a high-quality bucktail are hard for a musky to ignore. Look for lures with premium blades that start spinning the moment they hit the water. Our Nightfall bucktails are designed with heavy-duty components because we know a giant musky won’t just test your patience: it’ll test your hardware.

3. Don’t Sleep on Topwater Musky Lures

There is nothing in the world of fishing more heart-pounding than a topwater strike from a musky. From late spring through early fall, topwater musky lures should be a staple in your rotation. Even when the bite seems slow, the "plop" and "gurgle" of a surface lure can trigger an instinctual reaction strike from a fish that isn't even hungry.

Low-light conditions: dawn, dusk, or overcast days: are the prime times for surface action. Use a steady retrieve and be prepared for the water to explode.

4. Use Moon Phases to Plan Your Trips

Muskies are incredibly sensitive to their environment, and many expert guides swear by moon phases. Specifically, the "moon rise" and "moon set" windows often coincide with major feeding periods. If you only have a few hours to fish, check a solunar calendar.

Try to be on your best "spot on a spot" during these windows. If you’ve been seeing follows all day but no takers, the moon transition might be the exact trigger needed to turn those follows into strikes.

5. Fish the "Feeding Windows"

Weather changes are your best friend. A falling barometer before a storm front is often the best time to be on the water. Muskies seem to sense the change in pressure and feed heavily before the front hits.

When the wind picks up and the sky turns gray, don’t head for the docks. Put on your rain gear and throw something high-visibility. This is when the big girls come out to play.

6. Go Deep with Crankbaits

While many anglers focus on the weed tops, big muskies often hang out on the transitions: where the weed edge drops off into deeper water. Using a crankbait that can reach 6 to 10 feet (or deeper) is essential for targeting these suspended fish.

Our custom musky lures include deep-diving options that allow you to "knock on the door" of muskies holding in the cool, dark depths. If your lure isn't getting deep enough, try swapping out the standard hooks for slightly heavier ones to help the bait stay down during the retrieve.

7. The Power of the Pause with Glide Baits

Glide baits are incredible because of their side-to-side "walk the dog" underwater action. However, the secret sauce is the pause. When you twitch the rod and then let the line go slack, the glide bait will hover and slowly sink, mimicking a dying baitfish.

Most strikes happen during that moment of stillness. If a musky is following, a sudden stop followed by a slow sink is often too much for them to resist. It’s a game of "cat and mouse," and the glide bait is the perfect mouse.

8. Target Shallow Cover in the Early Season

When the season first opens, look toward the shallows. Muskies will often hang out in 2 to 3 feet of water near fallen timber, rocks, or the first signs of new weed growth. The water warms up faster in these areas, attracting baitfish and the predators that eat them.

Small minnow baits or light bucktails are perfect for these shallow environments. You want something you can work quickly without snagging the bottom.

9. Use Soft-Plastic Swimbaits for Versatility

Soft plastics are the "do-it-all" lures of the musky world. Because they are weighted internally or used with jig heads, you can fish them at almost any depth. A slow, steady retrieve creates a pulsing tail vibration that muskies can feel through their lateral lines from a distance.

You can also jig them vertically if you find fish holding tight to deep structure. They are versatile, durable, and a must-have in any serious tackle box.

10. Net Headfirst, Always

You’ve finally hooked the fish of a lifetime. Don't lose it at the boat. Always net a musky headfirst. If the net touches the fish's tail first, it will likely spook and bolt, which is when most lines snap or hooks pull.

Have your partner ready with a large, rubber-coated net. Rubber is better for the fish's slime coat and prevents your hooks from getting hopelessly tangled in the mesh.

11. Practice Fast Handling and Release

A musky fights with everything it has, which often leaves it exhausted. To ensure the fish survives to be caught again, you need to work fast. Keep the fish in the water while you dehook it whenever possible.

If the hooks are in a bad spot, don't be afraid to use high-quality nippers to cut the hooks. It’s much cheaper to replace a hook than it is to kill a 20-year-old fish. Have your pliers, jaw spreaders, and camera ready before the fish even hits the net.

12. Fish with a Partner

Musky fishing is a team sport. Having someone to handle the net, take the photos, and help with dehooking makes the process safer for both you and the fish. Plus, it’s always better to have a witness when you finally land that monster.

At Nightfall Outdoors, we focus on the community aspect of the sport. We build gear that we’re proud to show our friends, and we know that the best memories are made on the water with a buddy.

13. Trust Your Electronics (But Don't Rely Solely on Them)

Modern sonar is a game-changer. Use it to find schools of baitfish: if you find the food, the muskies won't be far behind. Look for "hooks" on your screen near large structural elements like underwater points or humps.

However, remember that muskies often shallow up where electronics can't see them. Use your eyes to look for "v-wakes" in the shallows or shadows following your lure.

14. Keep Your Gear Simple and High-Quality

You don't need a thousand different lures; you need a few high-quality ones that you trust. Focus on the best musky lures that cover the entire water column: a topwater, a bucktail, a crankbait, and a glide bait.

At Nightfall Outdoors, we lean into a minimalist approach. We don't believe in gimmicks. We believe in high-grade materials, custom designs, and manufacturing quality that stands up to the brutality of musky fishing. When you go to www.nightfalltackle.com, you’re seeing gear designed by people who actually fish.

15. Stay Positive and Stay Focused

The biggest tip we can give you is to keep your head in the game. Musky fishing is a marathon, not a sprint. You might go eight hours without a follow, and then in a thirty-second window, your season is made.

Stay focused on every cast. Treat every retrieve like there’s a world record following it. If you believe in your gear and your technique, the fish will eventually come.

Gear Up for the Season

Ready to hit the water? Make sure your tackle box is stocked with the right tools. From custom musky lures to heavy-duty accessories, Nightfall Outdoors has you covered. We build our equipment for the hunters of the water: those who aren't afraid of a little hard work to land a trophy.

Check out our full lineup at www.nightfalltackle.com and get ready to make this your best season yet. Tight lines!