Jeremy Smith and Luke Ronnestrand chase late-summer muskies with wildcard presentations on Minnesota’s Lake Vermilion.
The Muskie Mentality: Chasing Giants on Legendary Waters
For many anglers, the muskellunge—commonly known as the muskie—represents the pinnacle of freshwater fishing. Much like a trophy buck to a deer hunter, the dream of catching a giant, toothy predator drives muskie enthusiasts to go farther, fish longer, and push themselves harder. It’s more than a hobby—it can become an obsession that overshadows the basics of daily life like eating, sleeping, or even maintaining jobs and relationships.
The Sport of Extremes
Muskie fishing isn’t just about casting—it’s a mental game of dedication and detail. Passionate anglers spend countless hours poring over lake maps, analyzing fisheries data, and reviewing weather patterns and solunar tables. Preparation is key: having the right bait for every possible condition, sharpening hooks to perfection, and keeping gear in peak shape is all part of the game. 
Historically dubbed the “fish of 10,000 casts,” muskies have gained a reputation for elusiveness. However, today’s anglers are savvier than ever. With increased knowledge and technology, many are catching more and larger fish with fewer casts. Yet, just like in the pursuit of big bucks, both mental and physical endurance are still essential.
The Hunt Begins
“You got one? Yep.” “Nice fish, too.” These are the moments muskie anglers live for.
In this episode of The Edge, Jeremy Smith joins expert guide Luke Ronestrand to fish one of the top muskie waters in the country—Lake Vermilion. Known for its impressive population of both numbers and trophy-class muskies, the lake also boasts booming walleye populations, proving what fisheries science has long shown: muskies play a vital role in a balanced and healthy aquatic ecosystem.
Late summer and early fall provide an exciting and unpredictable window for muskie fishing. Presentations vary wildly—topwaters, jerkbaits, plastics, spinners. Anything goes. The key is stacking the odds in your favor: choosing the right lake, the right time, and the right tactics.
The Dream of Giants
As Jeremy leaves his hometown of Brainerd, Minnesota, his mind drifts to thoughts of massive muskies—the misty mornings, bomb casts, figure-8 retrieves, and tireless spot-hopping in pursuit of that one bite that could change everything. “She’ll bite,” he reminds himself. And it’s not just the hook-ups that fuel the obsession—it’s the follows.
Sometimes slow, sometimes aggressive, sometimes a distant swipe. Just seeing a muskie follow your lure is enough to keep the fire burning.
But seeing them is only half the battle. The rest is timing—being in the right place at the precise moment they decide to eat. That’s where guides like Luke come in. With a deep understanding of fish behavior, timing, and location, Luke has earned a reputation as one of North America’s premier muskie anglers.
A Lake Like No Other
Luke operates out of Vermilion Dam Lodge, a legendary destination for muskie hunters. Stocked with Leech Lake strain muskies almost 30 years ago, Lake Vermilion is now a thriving ecosystem brimming with predators and prey alike. According to Luke, this season has been exceptional, with several first-time anglers boating muskies over 50 inches and three consecutive days of 50+ inchers caught during one incredible stretch.
Classic bucktails, topwaters, and an impressive open-water bite have all contributed to an unforgettable summer. And as fall approaches, the stage is set for even more action with schools of perch and ciscoes moving into prime areas.
Hooked on the Experience
Moments of action can come fast and unexpectedly. Luke hooks into a fish on his very first cast on a new spot. Though the muskie jumps off, the adrenaline and excitement of the moment capture exactly what muskie fishing is all about—endless hours of preparation and repetition rewarded in an instant.
What makes the modern muskie angler even more effective is the integration of cutting-edge technology. With equipment like the Minn Kota Ultera trolling motor and Humminbird electronics, boat control and fish tracking have become incredibly precise. Remote-controlled deployment, spot-locking, and seamless waypoint navigation make these anglers more mobile and reactive than ever before.
The Evolution of a Fishery
Both Jeremy and Luke grew up in the early 2000s during a boom in Minnesota’s muskie fisheries. Lakes like Pelican, Big Detroit, Bemidji, and Plantagenet began producing massive fish. With relatively low participation at the time, it was an ideal era for new muskie anglers to get hooked. Today, with increased interest and limited fisheries, pressure on muskie waters is higher than ever.
Thankfully, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has a long-term plan to expand muskie opportunities. One of the most anticipated additions is Gull Lake in Brainerd, a biologically ideal lake with historical muskie populations. If successful, Jeremy hopes to one day take his son there to experience the thrill of fishing for fresh, aggressive muskies—just as he did years ago.
Tactics and Timing
The trip continues to deliver. After marking a fish, the anglers return with a smaller bucktail, and it pays off. “Little things produce big packages,” Jeremy quips, holding up a beautiful, light-colored muskie—a classic example of the “blonde” strain known for their visibility and elegance in the water.
Throughout the adventure, the message is clear: muskie fishing is about more than just catching fish. It’s about the chase, the camaraderie, the cutting-edge gear, and the evolving understanding of aquatic ecosystems.
Stay tuned for the next part of this incredible journey into the heart of muskie country.
Mastering the Musky Game: Gear, Tactics, and Faith on Lake Vermilion
As our adventure on Lake Vermilion continues, the action picks up—both on the water and in the boat. From dialed-in gear discussions to explosive strikes and thoughtful reflections, the day’s unfolding events highlight why musky fishing is as much about passion as it is precision.
The Value of a Smooth Ride
Comfort matters when you’re spending long days chasing toothy predators in unpredictable waters. The team lauded the benefits of Smooth Moves seats, a shock-absorbing upgrade that does more than just soften the bumps. These seats are fully adjustable, from height to tension, giving anglers of any size the ability to customize their ride. As one angler put it, “It’s like riding in a big rig,”—and when you’re braving Vermilion’s open water, that kind of comfort goes a long way.
Hooked on the Subtle Bite
Not all strikes are aggressive. In one particularly thrilling moment, a musky’s subtle boil on a “collure” bait—subtly green in hue—signaled a pending strike. Seconds later, the fish hit. It was a spectacular take, one of those electrifying events that make hours of casting worthwhile. The anglers recalled spotting a large mark on the sonar earlier, suggesting this might be the same fish, finally persuaded by a precise presentation.
When it surfaced, the musky—about 40 inches—was described as “super beautiful, clean, clean fish,” a reminder of the quality and health of Lake Vermilion’s musky population.
Bucktails: A Timeless Classic
There are countless new musky baits hitting the market each year, but bucktails remain the gold standard. As one of the hosts shared, a mentor named Brian Truax fishes almost exclusively with bucktails—year-round—and has over 50 fish exceeding 50 inches to show for it. That kind of success speaks volumes.
Blue Fox’s line of bucktails was highlighted, especially the Vibrax Muskie Bucks for speed retrieves and the Super Boo series with tandem blades. The Super Boo 8 offers a balance of thump and flash without excessive fatigue, while the Tandem 10 pulls harder and is a proven big-fish bait for late summer into fall.
Matching Your Gear to the Grind
Efficiency is essential in musky fishing, particularly when slinging heavy baits for hours. Enter the Daiwa Lexa 400 HD—a high-performance reel that delivers power and speed in a compact build. It comes in four gear ratios, from 5:1 up to 8:1, allowing anglers to tailor their retrieve rate to the bait type. When burning big blades, the lower gear ratios (like 5:1) offer a smoother, more manageable crank—comparable to shifting into a lower gear on a bike to climb a hill.
Rods that Work With You
Stamina is the unsung hero of musky fishing. With long hours and heavy lures, the wrong setup can lead to burnout. Both anglers praised St. Croix rods, specifically favoring the 9-foot options in medium-heavy to heavy actions. These rods offer casting distance and superior control, particularly for figure-8 maneuvers at the boat.
For those entering the sport, the Premier Series offers an affordable introduction. More seasoned anglers might prefer the Tournament Series, while the new Musky Elite line delivers unmatched lightweight performance. Paired with the Lexa 400 HD, it’s a dream combo for serious musky hunters.
Another Strike, Another Stunner
As if on cue, another fish hit—hard. Described as a “good fish” and a “nice, long one,” the capture played out with all the drama you’d expect from a musky strike. From a long cast to a powerful run to the final netting—“Got her! Whoo-hoo!”—the excitement was palpable. Moments like these are why musky anglers persevere.
A Day to Remember
As the final moments of this incredible day on Lake Vermilion unfold, there’s a calm reflection that settles over the boat. The fish were caught, memories were made, and the rewards of preparation and perseverance were felt in full. Whether it was an epic follow, a subtle boil, or a heart-pounding net job, this day encapsulated what makes musky fishing so special—the chase, the connection, and the shared joy of success.
With musky season in full swing, Lake Vermilion continues to stand out as a destination where both beginners and veterans can experience the thrill of pursuing North America’s ultimate freshwater predator. Whether you’re there to chase giants, test your endurance, or find a quiet moment of connection in nature, this lake delivers—again and again.
So gear up, cast long, stay patient, and when the moment comes—make it count.
