Bucktails

Bucktails by James Smith
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Take a look in your tackle box and check out your selection of bucktails. Nearly 50% of muskies caught are caught on a bucktail. The term “bucktail” today is generic as applied to this lure type, but it was the early day deer dressing used almost exclusively in the post chicken feather era. An in-line bucktail is one in which the blade, skirt and hook(s) are on the same piece of straight wire (shaft) all in a line. The skirt gives the illusion of a fish “puffing” up as it swims. Blades are the main ingredient in the selection of which bucktail to use. Different shaped blades will cause variations in the vibrations that are sent through the water to attract the fish.

The Colorado blade creates “lift” and is the blade of choice when the angler wishes to keep his bucktail close to the surface. It is especially effective for use of the technique called “bulging,” which means keeping it just under the surface without breaking and creating a rise or “bulge” in the water behind the lure.

Willow leaf blades are used more for obtaining depth during the retrieve, blade thickness will add to or subtract from depth. In addition, willow leaf blades will run better through weeds. The blade rotates closer to the shaft, thus remaining more weed-free.

Fluted “Indiana” blades run a medium depth, as do French blades (made popular by Mepps). These have created their own niche in the musky world. Naturally, the quality of the material used to make the blade and its thickness are a consideration. Speaking of Mepps, they will soon be announcing a new product line of bucktails. These bucktails will still have the jointed body, however the skirts will be marabou feathers. The combination of the jointed body and marabou feathers will create a great “plumming” effect in the water that really drives muskies crazy.

The most productive bucktail blade in history has been the “fluted” Indiana blade. It has produced more muskies over 50 pounds than all of the rest combined! Statistically the bucktail accounts for nearly fifty percent (50%) of all muskies caught. There may be some subtle reason for this. Bucktails are much easier to throw than large and heavy jerk baits. A bucktail rod is less stiff, thus easier to cast. In a recent survey of 300 muskie fishermen/women the average fisherman owned 65 bucktails. Just remember my philosophy, “You can never have too many, because “too many” is never enough”.

Bucktails haven’t changed much from the original chicken feather bucktails of the turn of the century. Blades are now being painted, primarily to compensate for watercolor and clarity. Skirts are being made from new products. Now there is rubber, vinyl, foil, plus the addition of grubs and trailers. The “old timers” still like their bucktails with hair. In those cases they’re talking about deer hair, the more the better. Tandem bucktails have a second hook with an additional cluster of hair or feathers (skirt) tied on, making this lure longer.

Spinner baits are more of a safety pin looking bait. The blades are set on one arm of the bait and the hook w/skirt is on the other arm of the bait. The blades give the illusion of smaller baitfish, shad for example, following an object.

Bucktail colors:

Silver or nickel are good blade colors for bright sunny days. Copper or gold are good blade colors for stained water and also overcast days. Dark and muddy water require brighter colors, slower moving larger blades that vibrate more and/or rattles to attract fish to your bait.

In clear water natural skirts and/or lures referred to here should represent the natural forage fish available in the particular lake you’re fishing. Generally this means perch colors (yellow/orange/brown) as perch predominate most muskie waters as baitfish. In some areas shad are more prevalent. In those cases a white, silver and blue color combination will be preferred.

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