If you’ve ever had a musky follow your lure all the way to the boat, only to give you the cold shoulder at the last second, you’re not alone. Muskies are masters of hesitation, and without the right boatside maneuver, they’ll leave you frustrated and empty-handed. That’s where the figure-8 comes in, and in this video, I break down exactly how to turn those stubborn followers into boat-flipping trophies. We’ll dive into why muskies follow in the first place—whether it’s curiosity, territorial instinct, or just a result of fishing pressure making them smarter (or at least they think they are). But here’s the deal: they want to eat, they just need a little extra push. This video will show you how to deliver that push with precision, using a technique that taps into their predatory DNA and forces them to strike.

A proper figure-8 isn’t just a panicked swirl at boatside—it’s a calculated move that needs to be smooth, wide, and dynamic. In this video, you’ll learn exactly how to transition your retrieve from perpendicular to parallel, keep your speed dialed in to match the musky’s mood, and introduce depth changes that make your lure look like the one meal they can’t afford to pass up. Spoiler alert: big fish don’t make tight turns, so if your figure-8 looks more like a figure-2, it’s time for an upgrade. I’ll show you how to make those turns wide, your depth transitions sharp, and your lure movements unpredictable—all the little details that separate a missed opportunity from the best fish of your season.

Of course, triggering a strike is only half the battle. That’s why I’ll also cover what happens after the musky commits, from the perfect boatside hookset (hint: don’t change what works in open water) to keeping the fish pinned during the fight. We’ll talk about keeping their head down, using a long rod to your advantage, and why spot-lock can sometimes be your worst enemy in a close-quarters battle. Whether you're new to the figure-8 or just looking to fine-tune your execution, this video will give you the edge you need to put more muskies in the net. So, if you’re tired of watching fish swim away like you’re not even there, hit play and let’s fix that.

Here are quick links to help you jump to a spot in the vlog video:

[3:15] Listener Q&A (please feel free to commend with YOUR question!)
[32:22] Why do muskies follow and the basics of the figure-8
[45:38] Mastering the TRANSITION from your retrieve into the figure-8
[51:18] SPEED CONTROL in the figure-8
[55:45] DEPTH CONTROL in the figure-8
[1:00:48] The HOOKSET in the figure-8
[1:07:10] Fighting a fish at boatside

Thank you to my sponsors for making incredible products and helping us achieve success in one of the hardest sports known to mankind: 

Recon Boats: 

http://reconboats.com/ 

For more information about the Recon Boats 895T please visit:

http://reconboats.com/boats/895-Tiller/ 

Joe Bucher Outdoors: 

www.joebucheroutdoors.com 

Crow Rock Lodge:

https://www.crowrock.com/

Great Lakes Potato Chips:

https://www.greatlakespotatochips.com/

St. Croix Rods: 

https://www.stcroixrods.com 

For more information about Chas Martin’s musky guide services please visit: 

www.muskymastery.com

Musky Mastery Apparel and Merchandise:

https://www.bonfire.com/store/musky-mastery-merch/?srsltid=AfmBOorIrdOYUYl4NZMsGGefYGIMPK0KPFp-dAvWGvxqCkEX6nhRs_QX