This isn't the first time I've ever written about, nor talked about how important the figure 8 is to a musky hunter, but some of my most recent experiences, demand a review of figure 8 fundamentals, combined with some newly acquired "twists" in technique. As most of you know, I am a big proponent of performing the figure 8 after each and every retrieve. My pro-figure 8 stance is backed up by bonafide on-the-water success stories with the figure 8 utilizing various lures during a wide range of conditions. Following is a solid review of figure 8 fundamentals combined with some recent experiences that have further solidified my preachings about this amazingly productive tactic.
As you read on, it's important to note that these are actual experiences of success with this much-talked-about, but very misunderstood retrieval exercise. Getting results always has the greatest impact, and creates that lasting confidence needed to keep trying it. Once you have success with the figure 8, it's surely a lot easier to keep doing it. My successes with the figure 8 have been many, but my BIG fish encounters with this tactic have been the most memorable.
FIGURE 8 AFTER EVERY CAST
Back when I was still making a living guiding for muskies, I'd constantly have to sell my clients on the idea of being fundamentally perfect all the time. I couldn't tell you how many times I'd get those "do I really have to" looks from clients when I insisted they perform a figure 8 after each and every cast. Admittedly, this practice sure seemed futile on those days when the action was slow. However, these slow situations are all the more reason why you should do the figure 8 religiously after each and every cast since this is when you truly need every possible odd in your favor. Your chances are so limited anyway under these less-than-ideal conditions, that you need to maximize every possible moment.
It's also understandable that any musky anglers having had limited or no success with the figure 8 lack confidence in the tactic in the first place. Yet, I've tried to make the point for nearly 20 years of speaking, writing, and guiding for muskies that -- the main reason for a lack of success with the figure 8 is probably a lack of good, consistent fundamental technique. I stand by that original quote today and always will. Simply put, if you've been fishing muskies for any length of time and have not had success with the figure 8, it's probably because you don't do it right. I know that's blunt, but it's true.
It's just plain common sense that you're going to trigger a certain percentage of "followers" (a nickname for a following musky) to strike at boatside if you perform the figure 8 mechanically perfect after each and every cast. No doubt, the actual number of muskies capable of striking at boatside on any given day, week, month, year, or career is unpredictable, but I can assure you that some will indeed hit it. However, you simply must do the figure 8 correctly all the time, and do it all the time. Otherwise, of course you'll have very limited success with it.
Another mistaken notion, that prevails with inexperienced musky anglers is -- that they only need to do a figure 8 when they see a follow. Trust me, this is a weak argument. Hundreds of boatside strikes have taught me that you will not see the musky you're most likely to catch on a figure 8 until it actually strikes! Muskies that follow deep and behind the lure, out of sight, are most apt to trigger on a sudden directional change. They have not been spooked nor distracted by the boat or any other movement from above the water's surface. They're concentrating solely on "the stalk".
By comparison, a musky that's following "nose tight" to a bucktail, or some other lure, rarely hits. Odd as this statement may seem to some, it is definitely true. Think about your past experiences with "nose tight" followers; how many of those fish did you get to strike at boatside? Few if any, I'll bet. Your movement and excitement as you reposition your body for the figure 8 technique spooks the fish. Once a follow is sighted, most anglers tense up, talk louder, and move more abruptly. This all spooks the follower off the bait or decreases its desire just enough to stop the fish from committing to a strike.
On the other hand, when you don't see a follower, you're much more calm and relaxed as you perform a figure 8. The technique is more natural, with no abrupt movements or noises from above. This results in a higher % of boatside strikes. Always remember -- the musky that's most apt to hit at boatside is the "stalker" that cruises in down below and behind the bait, out of your sight. This fish is less distracted by the boat, your movement, and/or anything else above the water's surface.
THE "BLIND FIGURE 8" MONSTER!
I was recently on a trophy musky hunt with Chris Paradise, national sales manager of the Flambeau Corporation, and for the most part, it was uneventful. However, at the end of the third day of a so-far fishless trip, we pulled up to yet another weedbed and began slingin' baits once again, and I could see Chris's excitement about this whole musky ordeal was waning badly. He needed a pep talk, and I was doing my best to keep him pumped up.
I just began another one of my Knute Rockne speeches about staying fundamentally sound, the moon was right, the spot was right, etc., when the wind shifted for the first time in three days. In fact, this wind shift even gave me a new burst of encouragement. We'd been locked into an easterly wind pattern for the entire trip so far. This new northwesterly breeze was a welcomed change. I'll never forget saying "If anything is going to happen today, it should happen right here and now". My topwater lure was scurrying closer to the boat as I ended my pep talk, and I intently watched for the torpedo-like image of a following musky once again, but once again there was none. Of course, I continued retrieving into the figure 8 driving the topwater lure underwater with a final swing.
Focusing once more on the next casting target, I lifted the rod upward and was just about to initiated another cast when KABOOM!!!! A mad monster musky came roaring out after the lure completely engulfing it in mid air! Water was splashing, thrashing, and crashing everywhere, and all I could do for a moment was hold on in utterly confused amazement. The big musky, with the topwater lure completely engulfed, stripped line off the reel as it belly flopped back into the water and kicked its powerful tail straight away from the boat. My 7 ½ foot rod doubled to the cork grip and my drag groaned. How I managed to hold onto the rod through all of this is still a mystery. Furthermore, I was so drenched in water, including my sunglasses, that I couldn't even see what was actually going on. When it was all over, our three day drought, had ended with a 51 inch musky now safely propped for photos.
A couple of quick observations before moving on. 1) I obviously wouldn't have caught this musky if I hadn't done the figure 8, but more noteworthy, 2) I probably wouldn't have even seen it. This fish responded so late to the figure 8 technique that it had to actually roar up out of the water in order to grab its prey. It must have cruised in low and behind the bait; completely out of sight. It probably would have continued to cruise on thru, underneath the boat, unnoticed if I hadn't done the "every cast figure 8". This is a textbook case depicting precisely why you must do a figure after each and every cast.
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE A "FLASH FOLLOW"
A cold, clear October day a few years back, I was fishing an area on Lake Of The Woods that had several deep rocks situated within casting distance of a mid bay island. I had spotted several big fish in this area already that fall, so hopes were high. My partner began casting a jerkbait inward, toward the island, while I pitched a deep diving crankbait out over the deeper rocks. Even though the water was clear, it was hard to see into the water because of strong wave action and a bright sunny glare on the surface.
About three casts into this drift, I saw a faint tail flash by my straight model DepthRaider as I began a figure 8. Of course, a flash could mean a number of things; a small pike, a big musky, or a wishful imagination. But, just to be sure, I performed my special "long line figure 8". I plunged my rod tip into the water to increase the running depth of the lure and further enlarge the size of the figure 8 pattern. I could barely make out the lure's image below as it scurried thru the elongated figure 8 pattern, but -- once more -- a faint flash occurred so I continued.
Plunging down even further I buried the lure to a point at which it was now figure 8ing below my line of sight. After one complete figure 8 this way, I began to rise upward in an effort to finish off the figure 8 and get ready for another cast when all !@#$% broke loose! A line stripping, power-dive strike ensued and a 50 plus incher was on! As my partner struggled to grab a video camera and capture the action on film, I continued to battle a well hooked 52 incher in a wide semi-circle around the entire back perimeter of the boat. A few minutes later, it was all over, and I was posing for photos with yet another 50 + incher.
What more can I say? Practicing a fundamentally perfect figure 8 after each and every retrieve has accounted for many muskies for me including some of my finest trophies. The success any musky angler has with the figure 8 technique is directly proportional to amount of emphasis put into it. If you make an honest effort to improve your figure 8 technique this upcoming season, you will undoubtedly boat several more muskies. One of them might even be a trophy.
I've always tried to stress the importance of -- once you get tired, lazy, and dejected on those slow days -- do NOT get sloppy. I'd rather see less casts, and still perform perfect figure 8's than lots of casts with sloppy technique. Do it right every time and eventually you'll be rewarded.
In closing, let's quickly review some important fundamental basics of a good figure 8 technique. 1) Do the figure 8 after each and every cast. 2) Make the transition from your retrieve into the figure 8 smooth and uninterrupted. 3) Make the figure 8 as large as possible so it's easier for a big fish to chase down the lure. 4) Keep the figure 8 deep; less distraction to the fish from you, the boat, and any movements from above. 5) Hold onto that rod!
JOE BUCHER'S FIGURE 8 FUNDAMENTALS
1) DO THE FIGURE 8 AFTER EACH AND EVERY CAST.
2) MAKE THE RETRIEVE-TO-F8 TRANSITION SMOOTH
3) MAKE THE FIGURE 8 PATTERN AS LARGE AS POSSIBLE.
4) KEEP THE FIGURE 8'D LURE DEEP
5) HOLD ONTO THE ROD!
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