By Steve Heiting:  Since the Double Cowgirl exploded on the scene there have been thousands of giant muskies caught on them and the musky-fishing world has seen lots of similar lures come and go. Before you visit the musky shows this winter and load up on your favorite twin-ten, understand that there are subtle differences between the various makes.
This means the bait that lured your big fish last year may not be the best choice for the situation at hand this season. Let’s look at where three of the more popular makes are at their best:
“ Double Cowgirl ” Most everyone knows the Musky Mayhem booth has about every color imaginable available so you can have whatever custom color you need tied right at the show. Cowgirls are at their best fished over shallow cover because they are well-balanced. You can speed them up or slow them down and the bait will remain level in the water, so their blade spin isn’t affected. Changing the retrieve speed can “puff” the tail, which triggers following muskies.
“ Mepps H210 ” Mepps’ jointed body design allows you to mix and match blade and tail colors. With three baits, all with different blades and tails, you can quickly come up with nine different color combinations. The weighted body and jointed design also mean this lure will cast much better in wind than straight-shaft styles.
“ Spanky Baits ” The heavy blades of the Spanky lineup have made them a favorite for the trolling crowd on Lake St. Clair where miles and miles of water coverage wear out baits with lighter components. When cast, the heavy blades also run at a different angle than similar lures, meaning they give off a different vibration.