The Beginner's Guide to Tennessee Musky Fishing
- Steven Paul
- 8 hours ago
- 5 min read
The Beginner's Guide to Tennessee Musky Fishing
Tennessee musky fishing is a rewarding challenge in a beautiful place that blends skill, patience, and the right equipment. These powerful fish, often called "the fish of 10,000 casts," require preparation to pursue successfully. So let’s walk through the gear—the rods, reels, lines, lures, leaders, nets, and tools—to help you start your journey toward landing your first Tennessee musky.
Gearing Up: Rods, Reels, and Line
Choosing a Rod
A solid rod is key to handling muskies. For beginners, a 9-foot heavy action rod works well in most situations. It’s strong enough to cast large lures and battle big fish, yet practical for storage, as many models telescope. If you’re shorter—or just prefer something lighter—try an 8.5- or 8-foot heavy action rod for better comfort. Avoid light or extra-heavy rods early on; those are better for specific techniques once you’ve got more experience. I recommend the Musky Shop Shield Rods—they’re affordable and built to last.
Selecting a Reel
Your reel needs to balance strength and ease of use. Look for a musky-specific model with a 6.3:1 gear ratio, which offers a good mix of speed for retrieving lures and power for fighting fish. Brands like Okuma, Daiwa, and Abu Garcia all offer dependable options. Choose a reel that feels comfortable in your hand to reduce fatigue on long days. A sturdy power handle and smooth line release are also important.
A lot of new musky anglers ask about spinning reels—and yes, they work in theory. But the lures we need to be successful weren’t designed for spinning platforms, which means you’ll never get the right action needed to trigger a strike using spinning gear.
Picking a Line
For musky fishing, 80-pound braided line is the gold standard. It’s strong enough for solid hooksets and tough fights, and it holds up well when casting heavy lures. Shorter battles with heavy line also help lower stress on the fish, which is important if you plan to release it.
I use my own brand—Next Level Braid—available at the Musky Shop. It’s made in Japan and is extremely high quality. But there are plenty of good options on the market. Most 80-pound braids will get the job done.
Lures for Tennessee Musky Fishing
Muskies can be tricky to catch, but a small, well-rounded lure collection will prepare you for different waters and fish behaviors.
Bucktails: A Reliable Favorite
Bucktails are a go-to for musky anglers because of their simplicity and effectiveness. Just cast and reel—the spinning blades create vibration that draws fish in. A black and nickel bucktail works well in most water conditions. Match your color to the clarity: use bright colors in murky water, and more natural tones in clear lakes.
Check the Musky 360 app for a helpful color/clarity chart. A Double Cowgirl is a solid standard size. For smaller blades, try a Joe Bucher 500 Series, or go compact with a Baby Girl to cover different scenarios.
Crankbaits: Targeting Depth
Crankbaits help reach muskies at specific depths. The Joe Bucher Depth Raider is a great deep-running bait and easy to use—just cast and retrieve. In shallower water, try a Joe Bucher Shallow Raider or Slammer baits for more erratic movement. Stick to natural colors and always keep one deep and one shallow crankbait ready. Mix in occasional twitches or pauses to draw reaction strikes.
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Topwater Baits: Exciting Strikes
Few things beat the thrill of a musky hitting a topwater bait. Prop baits like the Livingston Lures Big Makk make a loud “plop-plop” sound that gets attention. If you see a bulge behind the lure, don’t stop—keep reeling until the strike happens.
Big Plastics: Bold and Effective
Large soft plastics like the Alpha Dog push a lot of water, making them great in weeds, over reefs, or through open water. Use them with a heavy-action rod and a reel with solid pickup. Steady retrieves with pauses or quick rips can mimic prey and trigger aggressive strikes. Even smaller muskies will go after big plastics.
Swim Baits: Versatile Movers
Swim baits like the Livingston Lures Magnus offer a natural wobbling motion. They work well on slow or fast retrieves. Mix in pauses or direction changes to trigger hesitant fish. Swim baits are great for covering water and locating active fish.
Glide Baits: A Unique Approach
When muskies aren’t responding to other lures, try a glide bait like the Hell Puppy or a 6-inch Phantom Soft Tail. Light twitches make these lures swing side-to-side underwater in a “walk-the-dog” pattern. It’s a different look that often works when nothing else will.
Mastering Musky Lure Retrieves
The way you work a lure is just as important as the lure itself. Here are some basic retrieve tips:
Glide Baits: Tap the rod gently to make the bait dart side to side. Try patterns like tap-tap-stop or tap-tap-tap-stop to create a smooth, erratic action. Avoid overworking it.
Big Plastics: Rip the bait over weeds or structure. Let it sink, then pull, pick up slack, and repeat to mimic a fleeing fish.
Crankbaits & Twitch Baits: Start with a steady retrieve. Add twitches near structure or cover (twitch-twitch-stop), and always end with a strong boat-side figure-eight.
Bucktails: Cast and start reeling immediately to keep the blades spinning. Use a steady retrieve to maintain action and avoid hangups. Choose blades that start easily, like Mepps.
Leaders: Your Connection to the Catch
Muskies have sharp teeth, so a strong leader is a must. Here are your basic options:
Straight Wire Leaders: Simple, tough, and reliable. Great with bucktails, glide baits, and big plastics. They’re low maintenance and beginner-friendly.
Fluorocarbon Leaders: Often used with jerkbaits, twitch baits, or soft plastics. Check them often for wear. Wire is easier and safer for new anglers.
Whatever you choose, don’t skimp on your leader—it’s a critical link in the system.
Nets and Tools: Handling with Care
Muskies are strong, and handling them properly helps ensure a healthy release.
The Right Net
You’ll need a large, rubberized musky net. Frabill and Clam make solid options. A deep net helps avoid hook tangles and gives the fish time to rest before handling. A walleye or what you think is a big net won’t cut it. Musky fishing requires a musky net, end of story.
Essential Tools
Have these within reach:
High-end bolt cutters: Cut hooks if the fish is tangled or deeply hooked.
Long-nose pliers: Safely remove hooks from a distance.
Jaw spreaders: Useful if you need to open a musky’s mouth for deep hook fish.
Hook file: Sharp hooks hook more fish. Touch them up often.
Tennessee usky fishing is an exciting pursuit that takes time, patience, and the right setup. Start with a 9-foot heavy rod, a 6.3:1 reel, and 80-pound braided line. Stock your box with bucktails, crankbaits, topwaters, big plastics, swim baits, and glide baits. Use a quality wire leader and always have the right tools for safe handling.
Practice your retrieves, keep learning, and lean on resources like the Musky 360 app. With time and effort, you’ll be ready to land your first Tennessee musky. Fish hard, fish smart—and enjoy the ride.
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