Fall Musky Fishing Tips with Kristine Fischer: Big Baits, Big Predators

When the water temperature dips below 50°F and summer patterns fade, musky anglers know it’s time to change tactics.

Fall marks the prime window to target these apex predators before ice-up,and few anglers break down the bite like Kristine Fischer.

An accomplished tournament angler and multi-species expert, Kristine spends her fall chasing giant muskies on rivers and lakes across the country. Her approach blends precision with power, using crankbaits, glide baits, big rubber, and even giant tubes to tempt late-season monsters.

Whether you’re a seasoned musky hunter or chasing your first trophy, Kristine’s fall playbook will help you find, trigger, and land the fish of a lifetime.

Why Fall is Prime Time for Musky

As water cools, muskies feed heavily to build winter reserves. That means bigger meals, more aggressive strikes, and a willingness to commit to large, high-profile baits.

“In fall, your topwater and summer blade bite starts to fade,” Kristine explains. “Muskies slide deeper and position on vertical structure, cabbage bays, and steep breaks,places where they can ambush forage before freeze-up.”

Fall also brings more predictable patterns, making it easier to time your outings around key windows like moon phases and weather shifts.

Early to Mid-Fall (50–55°F Water Temps) – Transition to Deeper Patterns

Where to Fish

• Deep cabbage bays with healthy vegetation
• Steep breaks and vertical structure where muskies can suspend
• River laydowns and slow tapering points holding baitfish

Best Techniques

• Crankbaits – Choose size based on local forage: 4.5"–6" for smaller river forage, larger models for big-lake baitfish. Retrieve slowly, maintaining bottom or structure contact, and allow the bait to hover or suspend after deflections.
• Big Tubes – A 10" profile tube with added weight to reach deeper zones. Sweep, pop, or drag along rock, weed edges, or wood cover for versatile triggering action.

Late Fall (Below 50°F) – Slow & Methodical Big Bait Approach

Where to Fish

• Deeper flats adjacent to steep breaks
• Isolated rock piles or hard-bottom transitions
• Suspended bait schools near vertical structure

Best Techniques

• Glide Baits – Work painfully slow, with extended pauses to keep the bait in the strike zone. Deadly when muskies are neutral but willing to swipe on a stalled bait.
• Big Rubber Baits – Pounders, Medusas, Poseidons, and giant swimbaits. Experiment with retrieves,slow roll, pump, or rip,until fish respond. Excellent for vertical jigging over suspended bait schools.
• Vertical Jigging – Use heavy jigging baits like Bondy Baits for a completely different look. Pop off bottom, sweep, or slow roll in place over deep structure.

Kristine’s Gear Setup

• Line: 80–100 lb braid with fluorocarbon leader for abrasion resistance
• Rods: Heavy to extra-heavy power, 8’–9’ length for leverage on big fish
• Reels: High-capacity bait casters with strong drag systems
• Colors: Match local forage,natural shad, sucker, or perch patterns work well in clear water; bright colors in stained water

Featured Products

• Musky crankbaits in multiple forage sizes
• 10" musky tubes
• High-end glide baits for fall presentations
• Pounders, Medusas, Poseidons, and other big rubber swimbaits
• Bondy Baits for vertical jigging
• Available online and in-store at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s

Final Takeaways from Kristine Fischer

“Muskies are called the fish of 10,000 casts for a reason,” Kristine says. “They’ll test you mentally, physically, and emotionally,but that’s why I love them.”

• Adjust from summer to fall patterns as soon as water drops near 50°F.
• Target deeper structure and focus on baitfish presence.
• Work baits slower in cold water, especially glide baits and big rubber.
• Keep a logbook,track follows, strikes, time of day, weather, and moon phases.
• Use major and minor feeding windows to your advantage.

Ready to Gear Up?

🎥 This article is just the beginning. Watch Kristine Fischer’s full video to see her favorite strategies for targeting and catching fall musky.