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I love to test new fishing gadgets and share my opinion.
When you’re out and about fishing for a big musky, your tackle box should be geared up with the right ammo, and the equipment you use should be able to withstand a lot of tugs. To catch a big fish, like a musky, you’d have to find the right lure with just enough realistic movement and the ability to withstand a tug-o-war.
Muskie fishing is all about finding the right musky fishing gear and baits and using a sturdy musky fishing rod. Seasoned anglers use some of the most versatile musky baits and if you want to learn which ones they are, keep on reading below.
Top 3 Best Musky Lures
Best Lightweight Musky Fishing Lure
Mepps Musky Killer Spinner
- Quality materials
- Solid hook-up ratio
- Smaller blades that aren't tiresome
Best Combo Musky Fishing Lure
Lixada Swimbait
- For all bodies of water
- Super durable
- Large, quality-made treble hooks
Best Soft Plastic Musky Fishing Lure
Mizugiwa Pike Musky Dawg
- Life-like movements
- Perfect vibrations
- Easy navigation
8 Best Musky Lures
- Mepp’s BM HO-BO MuskyKiller – Best Overall Musky Lure
- Lixada Swimbait – Best Musky Combo Tackle
- Mizugiwa Pike Musky Dawg – Best Soft Plastic Musky Lures
- Eppinger Dardevle – Best Musky Lures For Beginners
- Booyah Pikee Spinnerbait – Top Spinnerbait
- River2Sea Whopper Plopper – Best for Topwater
- Rapala Husky Jerk – Best Musky For Trolling
- Chasebaits The Ultimate Squid – Best Musky For Saltwater
#1
Best Overall Musky Lure
Mepp's BM HO-BO MuskyKiller
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Mepp’s BM HO-BO MuskyKiller, as the name says, are topwater baits that give you the most bang for your buck. It’s an inline spinner that’s perfectly lightweight and 7 inches long. It also boasts a super sturdy 5/0 treble hook, big enough to catch trophy musky, and just enough skirt to create the perfect ripple and lift.
- Weight: 0.046 pounds
- Material: Blend
- Target fish: Bass, panfish
Pros
- Quality materials
- Solid hook-up ratio
- Smaller blades that aren't tiresome
- Super efficient design
Cons
- Not as much vibration as bigger blades
- The paint might flake off
- It might not hold more than 2 fish
OVERVIEW: If you want fishing gear that allows for super fast retrieval speed, which entices fish to bite in a second, then this is your lure! When we used it, we found that the black/silver, red/silver, black/yellow, or silver/brown color combo worked best in any water environment.
FEATURES: Due to the fact that the blades are rather small, you can really make the most out of it without feeling like you have spent a lot of time casting back and forth. Plus, you can choose to go slow or burn this bucktail fast. The 5/0 single treble hook makes a perfect hook-up ratio.
#2
Best Musky Tackle Combo
Lixada Swimbait
WHY WE LIKE IT: Unlike other musky lures, this Lixada multi-jointed lure is the ultimate crankbait/swimbait combo that musky anglers highly appreciate. The particular design makes for unique, life-like movements that trigger the interest of a lot of predator fish. We particularly liked that it’s perfect for musky fishing in deeper water and on the surface.
- Weight: 0.48 pounds
- Material: ABS plastic
- Target fish: Musky, trout, perch
Pros
- For all bodies of water
- Super durable
- Large, quality-made treble hooks
- Fast and smooth diving
Cons
- A bit heavy
- The swimming action is not the best
- The tail breaks easily
OVERVIEW: If you’re looking for a budget-friendly best musky lure, then the Lixada Swimbait is your go-to choice. Coming in a pack of 5 pieces, you’ll really get your money’s worth. But note that it is actually a bit heavy, so you will need more strength to reel it out – we learned it the hard way.
FEATURES: The particular design of the bait makes this lure one of those soft plastic musky lures that can reel in quite a catch. The large, quality-made hooks will ensure your catch stays hooked even if you drag it from deeper underwater.
#3
Best Soft Plastic
Mizugiwa Pike Musky Dawg
WHY WE LIKE IT: We love the fact that the weighted jig head on this Mizugiwa Pike Musky Dawg lure sinks the bait at a unique 45-degree angle before you can retrieve it. Plus, it’s made from soft plastic, giving it a more natural look. It can even take in a little odor, completely mimicking prey for muskies.
- Weight: 0.093 pounds
- Material: Soft plastics
- Target fish: Pike, musky
Pros
- Life-like movements
- Perfect vibrations
- Easy navigation
- Quality-made stainless steel dorsal hooks
Cons
- Trebles might flex easily
- Not suitable for smaller bass
- On the pricier side
OVERVIEW: If you’re an angler that wants to experiment with techniques, this lure will suit you well. It’ll do good whether you jig it or crank it. We chose the black/gold combo for early morning muskie fishing, which worked superbly.
FEATURES: Unlike the competition, you can literally use this tackle for any type of fishing technique – crank it, jig it, or curl it. The realistic movements are close to the swimming patterns of live bait, luring in muskies easily.
#4
Best Beginner Musky Lure
Eppinger Dardevle
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Dardevle packs quite the action, which makes it a perfect spoon lure for both newbies and seasoned anglers. Once cast, this musky lure will sink for a second or two and then reel back in a steady retrieve. You might feel some pauses and tugs as you reel it in. In addition, these topwater musky lures are pretty versatile, so you can use them in shallow weedy bays, in plain shallow water, and even in deep waters.
- Colors: Smoky Joe
- Weight: 0.039 pounds
- Length: 5 inches
Pros
- Super delivery and response time
- Outstanding quality
- Long-lasting paint
- Versatile
Cons
- Slightly pricey
- Not the smoothest spinning action
- Bigger sizes should be available
OVERVIEW: The majority of seasoned musky anglers would choose the 1-oz size, measuring around 3 3/4 inches long, making it the perfect lure for long fishing sessions. However, we went with a slightly bigger one (the 1/4 oz) just to compare it. And our choice proved to be smart!
The best part is that you can use this lure in any water temperature and under any weather conditions. The classic red/white combo is perfect for musky fishing on sunny days. On the other hand, the gold color option is great for catching fish on cloudy days.
FEATURES: Being as versatile as it is, the Dardevle truly is an icon of musky lures designed to catch trophies – not just muskies but other ferocious fish, too. Though the color patterns might be limited, the color is of high quality, making this lure more than capable of catching musky fast.
#5
Best Spinnerbait
Booyah Pikee Spinnerbait
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Booyah Pikee is an awesome topwater musky lure that’ll attract a lot of ferocious predators lurking in the waters. Thanks to its sizeable blades and vivid colors, the Pikee catches fish in no time.
We liked most that this lyre weighs only half an ounce, so you can cast it at any time of the day without feeling numb in your wrists. But don’t let the light weight fool you – the Pikee is known to withstand quite the tugs.
- Weight: 0.031 pounds
- Material: Metal/blend
- Target fish: Pike, bass, musky
Pros
- Quality made
- Perfect flashes and vibration
- Awesome for musky fishing in weed beds
- Super durable
Cons
- Blades need maintenance to avoid rusting
- The paint may flake sooner than expected
- A bit pricey
OVERVIEW: If you prefer spinning tackles or just don’t have the time or stamina to spend a day reeling in the perfect catch, the Booyah Pikee is just what you need. Muskies love the bright colors and flashes in this lure, so it won’t be long until they start biting. We tried out all color patterns of this lure, and we can vouch that they all work just fine.
FEATURES: Being made by a trustworthy brand, the Pikee is built to last and can withstand drags over rock piles. The quality of the materials makes it perfect even for fishing in deep weed beds.
#6
Best for Topwater
River2Sea Whopper Plopper
WHY WE LIKE IT: The River2Sea Whopper Plopper is a must-have topwater musky lure because it can catch even the most stubborn muskies lurking from deep weed beds. We also liked that it comes in eight vibrant colors, which gives the option to choose a lure based on the setting you’ll be fishing in.
- Weight: 0.031 pounds
- Material: Plastic, alloy
- Target fish: Musky, bass
Pros
- Made from super durable ABS plastic
- Easy to use
- Great for deep-water fishing
- Super rotating tail
Cons
- Works best with specific rods
- Easy to overcast
- Costly
OVERVIEW: We advise that you choose this topwater lure whenever you want to go musky fishing in summer. Then the water’s temperature peaks, and muskies swim in the shallows so they can feed. Choose the type of color and size based on where you plan on fishing.
FEATURES: Thanks to its nicely rotating tail, this lure is one of the best musky lure types that’ll create the right amount of commotion to interest this fish. The plopping sound the lure makes, paired with the super attractive colors, are some of the top choices on the current market. If you want to see similar baits, check out our article on the best color whopper plopper lures.
#7
Best Musky Trolling Lure
Rapala Husky Jerk
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Rapala Husky Jerk is super lightweight and easy to cast. You’ll really have a field day with this jerk bait and catch musky in no time. A musky angler will tell you that a straight retrieve of the Husky Jerk will interest even the most stubborn musky lurking from the thick weeds.
- Weight: 0.031 pounds
- Material: Blend
- Target fish: Musky, pike
Pros
- For both trolling and casting
- Durable
- Great for a tackle box
- Easy to maneuver
Cons
- It comes in only one size
- It might not be the best choice for newbies
- Pricey
OVERVIEW: When we got this lure, we were not expecting it to work as well as it did. The one-size-one-color bait proved to be sturdy and great even with trolling and casting. If you want a lure that is simple but works like a charm, then this is the right choice.
FEATURES: This slick and long bait is easy to cast and suspends well under water columns. Compared to other musky lures on the market, it is limited in colors and sizes, but it does make up for that in durability and ease of use.
#8
Best Musky for Saltwater
Chasebaits The Ultimate Squid
WHY WE LIKE IT: Even though it may be weird, fishing with squid-like lures to catch muskies is a great method. And these musky lures are perfect for it! Not only do they replicate a tiny squid in looks, but the Chasebaits Ultimate Squid even has the same movements.
- Weight: 0.06 pounds
- Material: Polycarbonate
- Target fish: Musky, trout, salmon
Pros
- Very affordable
- Realistic movements and swimming action
- Awesome musky-catching potential
- One of the more solid glide baits
Cons
- It works better in saltwater
- Rather fragile
- It takes some getting used to
OVERVIEW: Go for the Chasebait Squid if you want to try something new but still get a good murky catch. Whether you retrieve it slowly or fast, the one-of-a-kind design helps create a nice flutter that will attract quite a few tugs.
FEATURES: The life-like swimming action of the Chasebaits The Ultimate Squid makes this lure one of the top musky baits on the market. It is very affordable, so anyone can get their hands on it, but note that you may need a bit of time to get used to it.
How to Choose the Best Musky Lure?
Size
Muskies are relentless predators that are not so easy to catch. But, with the right-sized musky lures, the tables can turn. Choose generally no bigger than your palm. In a nutshell, you can catch a 50-inches muskie with a 3½ to 7-inch-long.
Weight
The weight of the lure will condition the ease of using it in the first place. Plus, the heavier the lure, the deeper it will sink. So for topwater action, choose a lighter lure, preferably made of soft plastic.
Action
A lure that can be cast with at least a moderate action can be considered a good. But action is crucial for catching muskies since they can easily chew off the lure and leave you empty-handed.
Color
The color of the lure should depend on the water condition, and the time of day you plan to go muskie fishing. Tiger stripes and glittery colors will attract muskies the most.
Technique
Muskie lures work for almost every technique. However, most of them can be trolled, curled, or cranked.
In my mind, immediately comes rapidly gaining popularity tenkara fishing technique. While many of us never faced that type of fishing we consider trying it in upcoming months because muskies tend to live in streams and it would be a perfect medium.
Gear
Other than the lure, the rod is also important for muskie fishing. The best musky lure will go well on a 8’ long chatterbait rod that’s, boasting fast action. If you want to find a good chatterbait rod that you can use with a best musky lure, check out our article on the best chatterbait rods.
Materials
Typically, the best musky lures are made of sturdy plastic and metal parts. However, there baits are made of soft plastic and blends, too.
Versatility
A versatile lure is one that can be used in different bodies of water. The best ones will work well in clear and murky waters.
Durability
ABS-made musky lures are super durable. But those made of soft plastic might not be. In the end, you want the lure to last and not throw it away after a single cast.
Frequently Asked Questions
“Match the catch” is what seasoned anglers will say. But it doesn’t necessarily mean a smaller lure won’t attract a massive fish.
It depends on the color of the water you’re fishing in. Light-colored baits work best in murkier waters and vice versa.
Yes. A topwater lure with a nice swimming action will do the trick.
You can. Especially during warmer months.