1. Fish of Legend, Fish of Myth

2. Muskies—The Mental Game

Seasonal Factors

Environmental Factors

Fishing Pressure

Fishing Presentation “Style”

3. Muskie Fishing Tackle

Muskie Gear—Rods, Reels, and Lures

Topwaters

Bucktails

Jerkbaits

Spinnerbaits

Crankbaits

Spoons

Jigs and Soft Plastics

Trolling Gear

Lines and Leaders

4. Necessary Tools and Release Techniques

Your Muskie Tool Kit

Release Techniques

Holds and Photos

Other Necessary Tools and Equipment

5. Follows, Figure Eights, and Triggering Fish

The First Step: Seeing Follows

Triggering Following Fish

Boatside Tactics: L-turns and the Figure Eight

The Final Word on Triggering Fish

6. Postspawn to Early Summer

Finding Postspawn Muskie: The Big Bang Theory

Tactical Factors

Tactics and Techniques

Searching Efficiently—Pattern Sampling

Searching Efficiently—Presentation

Other Presentation Options

7. Summer Peak

Tactical Factors

Tactics and Techniques

Presentations for Fishing Shallow Summer Muskies

Fishing the Slop

8. Mid- to Late Summer

Tactics and Techniques

Fishing in Algae Blooms

Countering Fishing Pressure

9. Early Fall

Tactics and Techniques

Presentation

10. Mid- to Late Fall

Fishing the Turnover

Fishing Fall Prime Time

Fall Casting

Fishing Very Late—Pre Ice-up

11. Bringing It All Together

Muskies as Apex Predators

Knowledge of Muskies’ Seasonal Needs

Knowledge of Muskies’ Environment

Lures and Equipment as Tools

Safety and Safe Catch-and-Release

The Role of Goals and Styles

The Role of Fishing Philosophies

The Role of Fishing Pressure

Time on the Water

Index