08/03/2026
How fast is too fast?
Another question I commonly get asked is how fast to crank a bucktail in summer. Having caught muskies trolling at speeds of 6mph, I really don’t think you can crank too fast where a musky can’t catch your blade. However, that doesn’t mean you need to crank as fast a possible in summer.
I would say most of the time in summer I would characterize my retrieve as medium-fast. I use a Tranx 400 B with the 5.8:1 gear ratio, and exchange the paddle handle with the power handle. It allows me to easily obtain high speed retrieves with minimal effort.
I focus on keeping the bucktail above the cover and make occasional contact with weeds, so rod position and cover will impact lure speed. Most importantly, I burst the reel with 2-3 fast cranks a couple times every cast. This makes the bucktail accelerate, lift and the skirt pulse. All of these are potential mid-retrieve strike triggers. With most bucktail strikes occurring in the first 5 feet or the last 5 feet of the retrieve, the mid-retrieve bursts are key to triggering strikes.
I’ll also try and vary my retrieve on different spots trying a few cast at slower speeds and burning super fast. Obviously, if muskies respond to either speed change, stick with it.
In summer, when fishing blades pick your favorite, fire away, point your rod at your lure, relax your grip, and crank it up!
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