Working The Saddle

 By Craig Sandell © 2006

What is a saddle area?

A saddle area is the open water that is present between two pieces of permanent lake structure. You can have a saddle area between two adjacent islands, between a sub-surface reef and an island or between two sub-surface reefs.

Why do saddle areas attract Muskie?

In a word, food. Saddle areas tend to provide oxygen rich protected slack water areas where forage fish tend to graze and hide. The saddle area provides the Muskie with multiple ambush opportunities as he prowls the water in search of an easy meal.

The saddle area also provides the Muskie angler with multiple presentation opportunities. The illustration shown here depicts a saddle area between a slopping shore line and a sub-surface reef.

What's the best approach to success?

In a word, stealth. Sometimes the wind and weather may dictate a particular approach to a saddle area. Sometimes all of the angler's options, relative to approach, are available. The common factor is always stealth. Make sure that you throttle your outboard back a good 50 feet from the area you plan to fish. Shut your outboard down a good 15 or 20 feet from your target area and use a natural drift or an electric trolling motor to bring you into casting position.

The biggest mistake that Muskie anglers make concerning this type of structure in impatience. A spot like the one depicted takes about 45 minutes to an hour for the solitary Muskie angler to completely cover. Obviously, two or three Muskie anglers can accomplish good coverage in substantially less time.

Don't rush!!! Cover the shore lines and the drop-offs. Work the saddle area systematically using a couple of different lures. When in doubt regarding a lure choice, a crank bait twitched parallel to the drop-offs and over the shallow portions of the saddle is always a good bet. Don't forget the deep drop outside of the saddle area. It is a prime ambush location for our Muskie friend.