The optimal weather conditions for musky fishing include colder to moderate temperatures of 50 and 70°F, falling barometric pressure, moderate southern or western winds, and an overcast sky. Light rain can also be advantageous when fishing for muskies.
When fishing with jerkbaits for muskie, using a stiff wire leader is always a good idea, as stiff wire provides security against bite-offs and improves lure presentation. When casting with bucktail spinners or trolling with crankbaits, you can instead use a heavy fluorocarbon leader.
In order to successfully catch muskie at night, you should target weedy areas, drop-offs, humps, and the shallow waters of bigger bays. Noisy or vibrating surface lures, such as poppers, crankbaits, and bucktails, will be most effective in the dark.