When muskies aren't responding to the standard fare, try nontraditional approaches, such as emphasizing pauses during the retrieve or initiating violent contact with weeds, rocks and other structure. Photo by Pete Maina.

Muskies are cold-blooded critters. Their metabolisms are at their highest points during the warm-water period of summer, meaning these predator fish have to eat more during these months. As a result, they're generally more aggressive -- more willing to move farther, faster -- to grab a bellyful during the summer months.

Spinners (in-line and overhead) are classics for this summertime muskie approach. They're very efficient, allowing for fast, straight-in retrieves that cover water and trigger fish. Trolling or rapidly retrieving crankbaits can accomplish the same. And, it's an exceptional time of year for topwater presentations, as the commotion can attract fish from some distance, and efficient predators have learned through experience that they can use the water surface as an effective trap for baitfish that can't go beyond it.

Unfortunately, muskies aren't always happy, nor are they always ravenously hungry, regardless of water temperature or expected attitude. The guidelines above for fishing in the summer period are usually effective, but like anything, they don't work all the time. We've all heard of and discussed the dreaded cold front. And, though rarely talked about, periods of abnormal heat have the same effects on fish as do cold fronts. Fish simply don't like extremes, and they tend to go dormant until things return to normal for that time of year. Likewise, sometimes activity is just flat, without explanation. Indeed, the fish do make the rules.

When muskies aren't eagerly responding to the summertime standard of larger and more aggressive presentations at faster speeds, there are quite a few non-traditional methods that have produced for me with some regularity. Before we go any further, consider a good game plan for prioritizing the different tactics. If weather is steady or normal -- and especially if conditions are steady with an incoming pressure system and dropping barometer -- expect the standard approaches to be best. Opt for non-traditional presentations only if the standard fare elicits no reaction. If you know you are dealing with extremes of heat or cold, it's likely better to start the day with non-traditional tactics.

THE PAUSE
I'll never forget a distinct lesson I learned just a few summers ago regarding patterning. It was August, with normal mid-70s surface temperatures and steady, humid weather. It just felt perfect for spinners and topwater lures. I was so confident and excited, in fact, that I never even considered other presentations, laying out a variety of these baits for my boat partners and myself as "the" choices. An hour later, I peered back into the tackle boxes in search of a solution to our virtual shutout.

Finally, a very aggressive strike caught me by surprise. Even though I managed a good hookset, this muskie jumped and got off -- an early release, but also a clue. Years of persistence in chasing muskies -- and plenty of experience banging my head against the side of the boat -- have taught me to analyze everything that occurs on the water.

I was using a buoyant jerkbait and trying different retrieves, and I'd taken an exceptionally long pause while blathering on about something. It was as the lure neared the surface, after rising significantly on the pause, that the muskie hit it. Patterns are seldom this profound, but that was it in spades. Buoyant jerkbaits and crankbaits were the deal. Every strike came on a pause and a rise. Spinners and topwater lures did not account for a single follow that day.

Strategic pauses are seldom used or even considered during the warm-water period, but when times are tough, they're worth a try. Generally, the rising or neutral presentations are the most effective, but jigs and other sinking baits are worth a try too. If you don't emphasize the pauses, you're not giving it a fair chance.

VIOLENT CONTACT
Generally, this isn't a tactic that works in the extremes of heat or cold, but it's always worth a try anytime the "catching" is tough. Essentially, this tactic calls for intentionally banging your lure into rocks, vegetation and other structure, and following the collision with a pause. Choose lures depending on the depth of weed or rock with which you want to make contact, flex your muscles and get after it.