Do Tiger Muskies Bite At Night? 6 Tips To Stay Safe While Fishing
Many anglers prefer to fish at night, for better weather status and fewer sunburns as well. In addition to the fact that some game fish are better caught at night, Tiger Muskies being one of them. That’s how they discovered the fact that fishing for muskies can bring unpleasant consequences like biting, especially at night. But is it really true? Can a fish…. bite you?
Do Tiger Muskies bite at night? Yes, Tiger Muskies may bite at night. Tiger Muskies tend to feed when it gets dark which makes them attack any potential prey during the night. However, it’s very rare to be bitten by Tiger Muskies whether you’re fishing day or night if you followed some simple precautions.
So, yes, it turns out that sharks are not the only fish that can bite you; Tiger muskies can bite you as well even at night. To learn why they bite and what you need to do to make sure you stay safe, keep reading…
Table of Contents
Do Tiger Muskies Bite At Night?
Fishing for Tiger Muskies is more effective at night. They prefer to feed in deep, dark, and cold waters where they’re most active – and vulnerable to lures! That doesn’t mean they can’t be caught in daylight, but your chances to successfully catch them drop big-time. They come up to the shallow waters at day just to enhance their metabolism after they’re full and done feeding.
These vicious and fierce fish don’t ever get out without a fight, so catching them brings joy to anglers who enjoy the adrenaline rush and victory associated with the whole game. However, these fights evidently bring possible injuries that make some people think twice before going after them.
Given this information, you can tell that the potential risk is not just at night hours per se. It’s every time the water is dark, including dawn hours before the sunset. This can also include the heavily clouded days when the sun is nowhere to be seen.
Why Do Tiger Muskies Bite?
So what’s the reason behind Tiger Muskies bites anyway? Tiger Muskies bite because they are predatory fish that hunt to live, they attack, puncture, and grab their prey before they even consider what the prey is, another reason tiger muskies bite humans is that they mistake hands for something they can hunt and swallow.
There has even been more than one incident in which a Muskie attacked person who was wearing a bright, shiny ankle bracelet. Now, what can be possibly wrong with that? Tiger Muskies go after shiny lures and baits, especially at night when they’re the only thing visible in the dark waters. The fish simply mistook the bracelet for lures and went after it, leaving the poor man with bloody feet not knowing what he did wrong.
Human flesh is definitely not on the menu of things Tiger Muskies enjoy. It’s true that they’re vicious and fierce, but they don’t attack people to prey on them on purpose. When they attack, which is as rare as your chances of being struck with lightning, it’s because the night circumstances and the moving parts of humans entice them to think they’re potential prey.
How to Fish For Muskies at Night (Without getting bitten)
You have to note that locations, weather factors, equipment, and lure types used to catch Tiger Muskies are all very similar at night as they are during the day. The thing you should pay more attention to at night is your safety precautions in order to not get bitten.
First off, you need to be extremely careful when you’re fishing for Tiger Muskies at night. Generally, If this is your first time fishing for this type, you need good practice beforehand. If you can’t get prior practice, we advise you to have someone with a level of expertise on the boat with you.
Here’s how you can catch Tiger Muskies at night without getting bitten:
- Don’t leave your hands dangling near the water surface.
- Avoid wearing shiny accessories.
- Don’t get too close to their mouth.
- Keep your boat stable.
- Always be ready with a good quality musky net. Click here to choose from wide varieties on Amazon.
- Hold them horizontally not vertically after you catch them.
Pro-tip: before you go fishing for Tiger Muskies, you can check Where To Fish and Boat to find the nearest location near you. This step is important as Tiger Muskies don’t live in most lakes.
Here is the equipment needed to catch tiger muskies any time of the day:
- Sonar unit to locate Muskies.
- 8-to-6 feet (2.5-to-1.8 meters) medium-heavy rod.
- Release tools such as hook cutters, needle-nose pliers, musky-sized jaw spreaders, etc.
- Good quality reel. You can check our recommended reels for Muskies here.
- A 100-pound-test (45 KG) braided line and a 150-200-pound-test (68-to-90 KG) fluorocarbon leader are recommended.
- Highly visible lures.
Many anglers argue that Tiger Muskies are the type of fish that can be caught with a variety of options. Every angler prefers his equipment that proved effective with experience. I can’t help but agree with this concept.
Keep in mind that you’re the only one who can decide the best way to get Tiger Muskies on the hook after you experience your own successes and failures. But if you’re a fellow beginner fisherman, you’re safe with the options we provided above for a successful first-time experience.
One thing to know before fishing for Tiger Muskies is that it requires patience and determination, you need to keep trying even if your first time isn’t a hit on a nail head. Multiple failures and setbacks only get you closer to the right technique.
Pro-tip: Tiger Muskies are sight-feeders. You don’t have to go for big baits, a method used for catching big muskies, you are free to choose the lures you’ll use as long as they’re visually attractive enough to grab their attention.
Here’s a list of lures options you can rely on for catching Tiger Muskies:
- big spoons.
- bucktails with big silver spinners.
- Shiny surface plugs (especially on moon-lit nights).
- Crankbaits.
- luminescent lures (don’t forget to give them a flash every few casts for a brighter glow)
- Musky Fishing Topwaters.
By now you should know that accusing Tiger Muskies of attacking humans to prey on them is purely an allegation. You can enjoy night fishing Tiger Muskies as you please with simple precautions and end up with a joyous and safe adventure.
If you took your decision to go after these interesting creatures on your next fishing trip, pin this article on Pinterest to take a look at it when you’re getting prepared. Don’t forget to share it with your fellow anglers who might accompany you on your next adventure.
Related Questions
Do Tiger Muskies Bite Humans?
Yes, Tiger Muskies do bite humans, it’s rare though. Tiger Muskies have a mouth full of sharp teeth that can do some harm to your hand and leave it covered in blood, however, it’s an injury that can be easily treated. Tiger Muskie Bites are not that dangerous or concerning to humans.
Do All Muskies Bite Humans?
Yes, all Muskellunge are considered violent and they occasionally attack humans. It’s because of their predatory vicious nature, they hunt and prey most of the time. Besides, their anatomy plays a role in their successful attacks, as they have quick-moving bodies and mouths full of sharp teeth.
How to Not Get Bitten By a Musky Fish
To avoid getting bitten by a musky fish, you have to be careful of your moving limbs, especially your hands. Make sure you’re not wearing accessories that can catch their attention. It’s preferred to be ready with a musky net to get a safe grip on them after you take them out of water.
Helpful Resources
Curious Mind: Tiger Muskie Attacks Questionable
Rare muskie attack leaves kayak angler with bloody foot
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