Been hanging out on a Muskie forum trying to learn about Muskie fishing. It has been expensive.......a whole new world of tackle, rods, reels etc. etc.

Lots of lure choices I never knew existed. Great crossover applications for salt water but that is of little concern here. Lots of guys (including the author of "Muskies on the Shield") have mentioned the Funky Chicken spinnerbait.

So naturally I had to get one. Impressive lure indeed. Not just for musky I think this lure would be one bad whammer jammer on big pike as well. Be forewarned, not for the faint of heart........coming in at 2 oz and some 8" with 8/0 hooks your not throwing it on walleye tackle. I usually have an outfit in canoe country capable of handling big lures so the funky chicken will start to be a "go-to" option from now on I'm sure.
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MT .... I know big lures for big fish but whoa that chicken spinnerbait is a monster lure. Good luck. Let me know how u do.

Wally its actually not quite as big as I was figuring. I like the versatility......shallow or deep, casting or trolling. The combination of marabou and chicken feathers with a curly tail should be awesome action as it "breathes" going through the water. Hooks are not excessive as well........

Couple weeks will be splash down.......should be good. Hopefully the big girls will chew.

AHH! rollie and helens, from my neck of the woods! great store.

a few comments on the funky chicken lure...

it is a great design, the tie on location being a loop (rather than just a bend) is a GREAT positive and shows shumways expertise in musky fishing and attention to detail. the loop makes it really easy to use on a snap swivel so it doesnt foul. same goes for northland brand bass sized spinnerbaits.

the safety pin style spinnerbaits, in my opinion, are superior to inline mepps style spinner baits. they are virtually weedless and ride over rocks/logs whereas inline spinners with treble hooks would snag. i also prefer the single hook to the treble hook on the main frame. the wire also helps prevent bite offs.

the trailer hook, on these lures comes mounted pointing up. in weedy/timber filled areas leave it that way. if you are in the canadian shield or a river system where you are fishing rock structures or current breaks (meaning less clutter to get hooked on), i flip the hook over, so the stinger points downward, it helps the hookup rate.

and lastly, the biggest asset to the funky chicken is also its biggest weakness.

da feathers! dun.. dun.. dun..

thus, lets begin the debate!!
marabou vs. silicone vs. flashabou (new thread)

they all have strengths and weaknesses and i believe the application from a canoe/camping trip magnifies them significantly.

for canoe fishing on camping trips i feel that silicone/flashabou is better than marabou.

for a trip to canada when fishing from a canoe i would recommend a northland reed runner magnum(silicone) or the northland bootie call (flashabou) spinner baits.

anyone who fishes with marabou will attest that it gives a great lifelike action, but its a pain when it comes to drying. you have to leave bucktails out to dry or they will rust/mold. this is not easily done in canoe country.