Beyond Straight Crankin’: Mastering Deep Musky Crankbaits
When it comes to musky fishing, lure classes like crankbaits, jerkbaits, and pull-baits wear their techniques on their sleeves—or rather, in their names. You jerk jerkbaits, crank crankbaits, and so forth. While this built-in naming convention is catchy and convenient, there’s a world of potential beyond basic cranking.
Straight cranking crankbaits can land muskies in your net, but advanced techniques can take your musky fishing game to the next level. Let’s dive into two proven methods—ripping and twitching—to maximize your crankbaits, along with the best lures and spots to target.
Top Crankbait Retrieves for Musky Fishing
Ripping Muskie Crankbaits: Cold Water Power
Ripping crankbaits shines in cold-water scenarios and tough conditions—prime times for sluggish muskies. This technique mirrors working a rubber lure: sweep your rod forcefully sideways in three- to four-foot bursts. Each sweep sends your crankbait surging forward and diving downward, creating a dynamic action.
Why does ripping work so well? It delivers a big vibrational impact with slow forward movement. A mere four-foot sweep generates a massive underwater pulse, and a pause to reel in slack line gives muskies time to detect and strike. This makes ripping musky crankbaits a go-to for triggering bites in challenging environments.
Twitching Crankbaits: Mimicking Dying Baitfish
Dying baitfish don’t go quietly—they flop, struggle, and fight to regain balance. It’s not a pleasant end, but it’s a dinner bell for muskies. Anglers can replicate this with twitching crankbaits.
Snap your rod downward sharply to shoot the lure a short distance subsurface. Add a bit of slack to your line and repeat, creating an erratic, unpredictable twitch that screams “easy meal.” This technique excels at triggering reaction strikes, especially when muskies are keyed in on vulnerable prey. Mastering twitching crankbaits can turn a slow day into a musky bonanza.
Elevate Your Musky Fishing with the Right Crankbaits
These retrieves can transform your approach, but lure selection is critical for success. While shallow-water crankbaits work for some, deeper-running musky crankbaits dominate in cold water or poor conditions. I simplify my tackle box with two standout options from Livingston Lures: the Pounder and the Striker.
- Livingston Lures Pounder: This jointed crankbait is a ripping machine. Its slow rate of rise means it hovers briefly after each rip before drifting upward, giving lethargic muskies a clear shot. Perfect for cold fronts or fall fishing.
- Livingston Lures Striker: Built for twitching, this straight-bodied crankbait delivers a hard-hitting vibrational profile. With a slower rise than most musky crankbaits its size, it lets you add secondary line pops during the ascent, amplifying the erratic action.
Where to Target Muskies with Ripping and Twitching
To make the most of your Pounder and Striker crankbaits, focus on these musky hotspots:
- Rocks: Muskies use rocks for their warmth and as cover.
- Reefs: Submerged structures hold baitfish and predators alike.
- Fallen and Standing Timber: Prime ambush locations for muskies.
- Neck-Downs: Narrowed channels concentrate baitfish and musky activity.
- Pockets, Pools, and Eddies: Calm waters near current attract muskies awaiting prey.
Boost Your Musky Catch Rate
Next time a cold front rolls in or you’re fishing fall waters, ditch the straight crank and mix in ripping and twitching with the Livingston Lures Pounder and Striker. These techniques, paired with the right deep musky crankbaits, will put more muskies in your net. Ready to up your game? Grab these lures and hit the water.
Steven Paul
Musky and Pike Expert
