The Fish of 10,000 Casts—No More with the Miuras Mouse
The elusive musky, often called the fish of 10,000 casts, is no longer just a dream when you have the Miuras Mouse in your tackle box. My introduction to this incredible lure came while watching Fly vs. Jerk 13, where Catch with Care pros Stefan “Truman” Trumstedt and Pierre Monjarret used both the big and small Miuras Mouse to land monster pike across Scandinavia.
As a passionate pike angler, I was immediately intrigued. The unique design, the lifelike movement, and—most importantly—the sheer number of fish they were catching made me realize that I needed this lure in my arsenal.
A Game-Changer in Predator Fishing
While watching the series on YouTube, I paid close attention as they broke down the when and how of fishing the Miuras Mouse. The more I learned, the more convinced I became that this was the missing piece in my musky fishing strategy.
I quickly discovered that the size of the Scandinavian pike rivals North American muskies, making me wonder whether the Miuras Mouse would work for the 5-10 lb pike I was used to targeting. So, I did what any dedicated angler would do—I went straight to the source. I flew to Sweden to meet the experts and learn first hand about this revolutionary lure.
The Craftsmanship Behind the Miuras Mouse
Designed by Italian lure craftsman Maurizio “Miura” Carini, the Miuras Mouse is the result of years of meticulous development. Seeing it in person for the first time, I was struck by its handmade quality and intricate design—a true work of art that could easily fool any predator. But I had one pressing question:
Would it withstand the brutal bite of a musky?
Truman assured me that durability was a top priority in the lure’s construction. The wire-through design minimizes failure points, and aside from some wear on the hair or a few battle scars on the trailer, the lure was built to last.
Putting the Miuras Mouse to the Test
After returning from Sweden, I knew I had to put the Miuras Mouse to the ultimate test. Before launching Rugged Tackle, I dedicated an entire fishing season to testing European lures in North American waters. And the results? Nothing short of spectacular.
Here in Ottawa, Ontario, we have some of the best musky fishing in the world, from the Ottawa River to the Madawaska and beyond. As Truman explained the versatility of the Miuras Mouse, I realized its potential—this lure could be fished in any water depth, at any time of year, and in any condition.
Breaking Down the Miuras Mouse: Features & Design
1. Cork Front
- Provides buoyancy, preventing the lure from sinking too quickly.
2. Hair Body
- Designed to mimic natural animal hair, creating subtle vibrations that muskies detect through their lateral lines.
3. Rear Screw Attachment
- Allows customization with soft plastics, including:
- Curly double tail
- Single tail
- Paddle tail (various sizes)
4. Stinger Rig
- Detaches from the soft plastic upon a strike, preventing muskies from using the lure as leverage to escape.
5. Designed for Casting
- Best used for targeting muskies and big pike with a slow retrieve.
Why the Miuras Mouse Stands Out
One of the key advantages of the Miuras Mouse—and many European lure designs—is its customization, versatility, and adaptability. Imagine you're on the water, and the conditions suddenly shift from sunny and calm to cloudy and windy.
Most anglers would swap between bucktails, Shadzillas, or dive-and-rise baits, adjusting depth or color to match the changing conditions. But with the Miuras Mouse, you can simply switch trailer styles or retrieval techniques to maintain its effectiveness—no need for a full lure change.
Expert Tips for Maximizing Your Hook-Up Ratio with the Miuras Mouse
Want to ensure you’re landing more muskies with the Miuras Mouse? Here are some expert modifications and rigging tips to help you boost your hook-up ratio and reduce lost fish.
1. Add an Extra Split Ring to the Front Hook Hanger
- Adding a second split ring to the front hook hanger creates extra separation between the hook and the head of the lure.
- This prevents fish from using the lure’s weight as leverage to throw the hook during a fight.
2. Upgrade to Titanium-Infused Hook Connections
- Instead of traditional split rings, try switching to the Strike Pro titanium-infused line.
- This upgrade reduces missed hook-ups and enhances durability without adding unnecessary weight.
3. Use the Right Hook Size for Each Miuras Mouse Model
- Big Miuras Mouse → Upgrade to Size 3 BKK hooks.
- Small Miuras Mouse → Swap to Size 2 BKK hooks.
- Always ensure your hooks are razor-sharp for the best penetration.
4. Add a Stinger Hook for Better Coverage
- Depending on the size of your soft plastic trailer, an additional stinger hook may be needed to cover the entire length of the bait.
- This prevents short strikes and increases your landing percentage.
5. Create a Double Miuras for an Even Bigger Profile
- When fish are keying in on larger bait presentations, you can combine two Miuras Mouse heads to create a Double Miuras setup.
- This enhances the lure’s profile, vibration, and water displacement, making it an irresistible target for big muskies.
How to Fish with the Miuras Mouse
The Miuras Mouse is a versatile lure that can be fished effectively throughout all seasons, adapting to the behavior of muskies and pike. At Rugged Tackle, we’ve created a Big Miuras Mouse Bundle to ensure you have everything needed to fish this lure in any season and condition.
Spring: Targeting Shallow, Cold-Water Fish
- Best Trailer: Double curly tail or big curly tail
- Why? The cork head keeps the lure high in the water column, making it perfect for shallow, weedy areas where fish are holding.
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Retrieve Style:
- Super slow roll to maintain a natural, enticing action
- Pause-and-jerk motion to mimic injured prey, triggering reaction strikes
Summer: Fishing Deeper & Faster for Active Muskies
- Best Trailer: Paddle tail body or curly tail with added weight
- Why? As the water warms and fish metabolism increases, muskies become more aggressive and willing to chase bait.
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Modifications:
- Add BFT Fastach sinkers to the front of the bait to achieve the desired depth.
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Retrieve Style:
- Steady retrieve with a paddle tail for maximum water displacement
- Faster retrieves to match the energy levels of active fish
Fall: Slowing Down for Cold-Water Giants
- Best Trailer: Double curly tail or big curly tail
- Why? As muskies and pike feed heavily before winter, they respond well to larger profiles and slower presentations.
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Retrieve Style:
- Super slow roll to keep the bait in the strike zone longer
- Pause-and-jerk motion to trigger big, lethargic fish
Where to Buy the Miuras Mouse
The Miuras Mouse is available at tackle shops and online retailers, with pricing typically around:
- $59.99 for the Big Miuras Mouse (8 inches)
- $54.99 for the Mini Miuras Mouse (7 inches, smaller diameter)
Alternative: VMC Moustache Rig
If you're looking for another option, the VMC Moustache Rig is a comparable product priced at $38.99 (40g). However, it differs from the Miuras Mouse in several key ways:
- A larger head but lacks an attached curly tail
- Does not include hooks, requiring additional setup
- Slightly heavier, affecting presentation and retrieval
While the Miuras Mouse offers better customization, versatility, and an all-in-one design, the VMC Moustache Rig is an option for those looking for a different style of presentation.
Final Thoughts
The Miuras Mouse has proven to be one of the most versatile and effective lures for muskies and pike, allowing anglers to adjust their setup based on seasonal conditions and fish behavior.
- Have you used the Miuras Mouse? Share your experiences and best setups in the comments!
- Looking to add one to your tackle box? Check out our curated bundles at Rugged Tackle!