In The News: What Makes A Musky Lure a "Musky Lure"?

I was reading the latest issue of Muskie, the official publication of Muskies, Inc. and was delighted to run across an article by their field editor Kevin Richards entitled "Tackle Box Treasures from 1900-1959," which you can read for yourself by clicking here.

It's an interesting article from a musky angler's perspective, but it got me thinking … what makes a musky lure a musky lure? Is it the size? Is it the name "musky" in it? By default, is the largest size of any lure made during this period (a Pflueger Mustang, for example) a musky lure?

Or must a musky lure be intended for fishing primarily for musky, like the Suick or the Cisco Kid? And speaking of Cisco Kids, is the Husky Cisco Kid the true musky lure (at 8") or is the regular 6" model a musky lure as well, only a "junior" musky.

Furthermore, what separates a saltwater plug from a musky one? Are they interchangeable? Can you consider a striper plug a musky lure and vice versa? Lots of Striper Pikies were used for musky fishing, after all.

Let me give you a final example. Perhaps the greatest musky lure ever made was the #8 G.M. Skinner Spoon Hook. Yet the #9 and #12 were always touted as the musky versions of the G.M. Skinner, and they weren't even fluted blades!

So what's in a musky lure? I'd be very interested in hearing your thoughts on how to define it.

I'm anxious to hear your thoughts!

-- Dr. Todd