I came accross the document below in one of my lake map files and thought you might find it interesting.

When I first got into muskies I became active on the Rollie and Helen's Muskie Shop board – they used to have a pretty good bunch of guys that were always helpful to newbies. Here's Rollie's response to me asking for tips on Suicks. (Man, I hope I get this uploading static URLs right….)

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Here are some tips from others…

* place one or more additional eyes above the original to make the bait dive deeper
* always be sure the eyes that hold the hooks are lined up, they serve as rudders
* when buying one at the store pick the one with the highest eye placement
* add weight but maintain balance by using magnum rings and heavier hooks on the front and back
* always clear all paint from the eye
* the best suicks do a "death wobble" on the rise (only two of my suicks do this wobble, both are old school style and unweighted)
* scent can turn follows into boated fish
* a guy who knocked me out of a MuskieFirst match used a "double weighted" Suick, he added lead to a weighted one to get it real deep and a big girl bit
* drill a 1.5mm hole from one flank to the other and insert a wire. Make an eye on each side of the bait and add a small Colorado blade to each. Adds lots of flash, sound and the bait dives steeper. (I loved this tip)
* occassionally allow the bait to rise to the surface and rest a moment
* slow sweeps are better than jerks, less tiring and more fish
* Suicks can be trolled, just be sure eyes are aligned and the bait tracks to each side by testing boatside. While trolling, pull the bait 2-3' forward and then allow it to stall by dropping your rod tip back again at the same speed the boat is moving forward
* cut off hooks and add split rings to reduce fish that successfully spit the bait, plus you are faster replacing a hook you had to cut
* don't assume that the fish is even hooked, some muskies chomp down and hold on the wood, reset the hook once or twice
* Always after fish or a good strike check your suick for muskie teeth! Once in a while you'll find a tooth stuck in the wood. (I have found one, myself, very cool.)
* drill a tiney hole in the tail and add a small swivel and blade
* place a couple tiney eye screws into the side of the lure (just behind the head) then connect a "keeper" (barbed shaft) to each. Place 2" twister tails on the keepers and poof, now you have pectoral fins

whew, enough