FISHING ARTICLES
MUSKIES AND THE FIGURE EIGHT
By
David Christian
Muskies can be one of the more stubborn of our aquatic
friends, one of the techniques we use at Cave Run Muskie Guide
Service to trigger strikes from these viscous fish is a move
commonly called the “figure eight”.
This
technique will trigger strikes from following fish right at
the side of the boat with only a few inches of line out. It is
very exciting to see a fish appear from the depths and attack
a lure at boatside. Our fishing logs indicate that over thirty
percent of all muskies are taken on the figure eight.
The
figure eight is nothing more than ‘drawing’ a sideways
eight in the water with your rodtip. The erratic action of the
lure will give the appearance of a frantic baitfish trying not
to be eaten. A muskie has followed the lure because it is
curios and in a neutral mood, now that the lure has done
something different it appears more realistic and triggers the
final strike.
The
proper figure eight begins as the lure comes in to the anglers
sight, look a foot below and a foot behind the lure for a
follower. As you go into the first turn of the figure eight it
must be smooth and quiet as not to spook the muskie. Don’t
stop the lure or the fish will turn away knowing it is not
real. A smooth figure eight will continue into the second and
third turns as you look for the muskie. If a fish was sighted
continue doing a number of figure eight's in the water, I have
captured muskies on the 10th figure eight, they
will sometimes reposition themselves to get a better attack
angle.
When muskie fishing it is required that you perform at
least one figure eight at the end of every cast, insuring that
there is not a fish following deep and out of your site.
Thirty-percent odds are pretty good, don't give them to the
musky.
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