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Figure Eight (Musky)
The Muskellunge is known for “following” a lure up to the boat rather than immediately striking it. Anglers use different tactics to influence a following muskellunge into bighting the bait. The most common tactic used is the Figure 8. The figure 8 is named after the pattern in which the angler pulls their lure through the water next to the boat as an attempt to get a following fish to bite. The figure 8 has become a general term used for all boat side tactics used to catch a following musky. Other boat side tactics used are "circles", "squares" (L-Turns), and “dead sticking.”

Performing A Figure Eight
A successful figure eight begins with watching for a Muskellunge behind your lure while retrieving. At times this can be difficult while varying water clarity, glare on the water, and waves all make it more difficult to see below the surface. When looking for fishing glasses Polarization is a must. Polarized Sunglasses are a necessity when musky fishing to enhance vision into the water. Retrieve the lure until there is only 12-18 inches of line between your lure and rod tip, which is all you need. Figure eights take focus; you have to anticipate the lure getting close to the boat and make the first turn big and fast. After the first turn bring the lure on a long straight away and make turn number two. Turn number two should go away from the boat rather than towards to avoid being “handcuffed” where the lure stops its action and the Musky loses interest. Figure eight the lure and not the rod. This keeps the lure moving in the water. You don’t want to ruin the action. Keep the musky interested. Use every bit of the rod length to create a large figure-8 with wide, round turns. Don’t do anything abrupt. Make it easy for the fish to take the lure. However, keep a close eye on lure speed. A big drop in speed might decrease the fish’s desire to chase. Other techniques when performing a Figure Eight include “speed burst”, where lure speed is increased dramatically. And “Dead-Sticking, where the lure is completely stopped in the water (not good with bladed baits).

Proper Figure Eight Tackle
The long rod is superior for the figure-8 technique. A longer rod allows you to execute a bigger and deeper overall figure-8 pattern. Short rods, in the 5½- to 6½-foot range, naturally create a shorter overall figure-8 pattern. This results in a tighter radius, which is often difficult for larger muskies to follow. The longer rod increases the entire size of the figure-8, including widening the turns. Collectively, it becomes far easier for a large musky to follow the lure throughout the entire process. The long rod is also superior after the fish hits. Short rods are stiffer and less forgiving. You are much more likely to over-pressure a big fish on a short line with a 6- to 6½-foot traditional heavy-power musky stick than you are with a longer rod. This additional length helps to keep a very even pressure on the fish at all times so it can’t break the line or shake the hook loose. This even pressure also prevents tearing in the fish’s mouth which results from excessive pressure during battle. The long rod also enables you to keep a thrashing musky down in the water better. Anytime you can force a big fish to thrash under water – as opposed to above the surface – you are more likely to land it.