Mag Tinsel Magic!

My TV show has recently featured a lot of musky segments with “big blades” which are a nickname for the new giant twin-blade # 10 in-line spinners adorned with lots of flashy tinsel such as the new Buchertail Mag Tinsel. While these lures are likely to work in a wide variety of conditions, nothing turns on big shallow summer muskies quite like these giant gyrators. Here’s just a sampling of what I have discovered.

Summer muskies really turn on to a super fast retrieve speed with these lures. The entire concept rests on maintaining a high riding, close-to-the-surface presentation with a strong visual (eye on the spinner) at all times. This takes some physical effort as well as concentration. It also requires specialized tackle including a low- geared baitcaster and long rod. My personal favorite outfit for what my friends have come to call the “Bucher Burn” is a Abu Garcia Revo 60 Winch (reel) matched with a St. Croix Legend Tournament Split Grip Musky Rod 8’ MH.

A synchronized reel engagement that is timed precisely with the splash entry of the lure is the first trick. This is followed by an immediate “burn” (retrieving extra fast) while lifting the rod tip upwards simultaneously. The combination makes a big spinner bulge water right away and run ultra shallow.

About ten cranks into the retrieve, lower the rod tip to a point where there is no rod tension on the line at all. I call this “zero rod drag”. Zero rod drag eliminates much of the wrist, hand, and arm fatigue associated with retrieving this lure for hours on end.  Learn to do this, and you will eliminate a lot of the fatigue associated with using these lures. 

Back off on the speed a bit more at mid retrieve and initiate periodic quick-bursts of the reel. This keeps a following fish guessing and triggers them to strike. In fact, jumping the speed with these quick-bursts seems to trigger a lot of mid-retrieve strikes that might not otherwise occur.

The grand finale is a very aggressive figure 8 that involves a final speed burst to the boat continuing into that first figure 8 turn. The first turn (of the figure 8) should be as wide as possible. In fact, it should actually be a large outward circle. As soon as the turn is complete, the lure should be pulled up a bit shallower out in front of you so you can spot the follower (musky). If the fish is still following, back off on the speed abruptly allowing the bait to actually fall back into the fish’s face. Quite often, the strike occurs right at this moment. If not, repeat the process with a vigorous hard pull into the next turn of the figure 8. This seems to excite a big musky the more you do it.

The Buchertail Mag Tinsel is definitely one of the best shallow water musky lures I've used in a long time. Any of these "big blades" are sure to drain you physically, but matching up with the right rod & reel is essential. Make the investment in a Winch 60 Abu Garcia Revo and this task is surely a lot easier. Also, don't forget to initiate "zero rod drag" whenever possible. This also helps take the pressure off the hands and wrist a great deal.    The toll "big blades" take on you physically is all worth it when a big one hits.  It's funny how much less you hurt at the end of the day when you've scored on a big one anyway!