Looking for a muskie rod or rod/reel combo...

[arctic_scrap1]

I'm planning on trying my hand at some muskie fishing this summer. I don't think my current pike setup will work for the huge hogs I know I'll be catching!

If I'm buying just a rod I'd like to stick to the $100-$150 range. If I'm buying a combo I'd spend up to $275 or so. Anyone have some suggestions?

Edited May 4, 2018 by arctic_scrap1

[gimruis]

The St Croix line of musky rods are nice and they have a great warranty.  Either the tournament elite, premier, or musky mojo will do.  Whatever rod you decide on, make sure its a long one that's at least 7.5 or 8 feet long (or longer).  It helps you sling those massive bulldawgs out there.  As for the reel, a lot of people will recommend the Ambassador series by Abu Garcia because of the cost and reliability.  If you can afford it, the Shimano Calcutta or Revo Beast would be even better.

One thing you can't buy for musky fishing that you will need is patience.  Bring a lot of it every time you go!

[arctic_scrap1]

44 minutes ago, gimruis said:

The St Croix line of musky rods are nice and they have a great warranty.  Either the tournament elite, premier, or musky mojo will do.  Whatever rod you decide on, make sure its a long one that's at least 7.5 or 8 feet long (or longer).  It helps you sling those massive bulldawgs out there.  As for the reel, a lot of people will recommend the Ambassador series by Abu Garcia because of the cost and reliability.  If you can afford it, the Shimano Calcutta or Revo Beast would be even better.

One thing you can't buy for musky fishing that you will need is patience.  Bring a lot of it every time you go!

Well I bought a reel and I'm already over budget! I bought a Shimano Calcutta 400b. From doing some reading the Okuma EVX rods seem nice for the money but I'm really not familiar with that brand. I had looked at the St. Croix rods but since I'm a little taller I can take advantage of an even longer rod so I'm thinking something around 9-9.5ft.

Edited May 4, 2018 by arctic_scrap1

[bowhuntingboy1]

Ugly Stik 8 ft catfish rod, ugly stiks are the best rods for the money. 

[Wanderer]

I did research on this same thing the past couple months.  Like you mentioned, it’s really easy to go over budget on musky gear!!

Youre on the right track to be looking at a 9 foot rod, especially if you’re tall.  The Shimano line has rods in several price points and will probably do just fine.  I needed 3 rigs so when I had the opportunity to get into a Sojurn for $25 I took it.  Mojo is one people seem happy with.  Aside from the Sojurn 8ft, I have my old Shimano 7.5 and also picked up a Tackle Industies XH 9 footer.  The longer rods help a lot for doing figure 8’s at boat side.  That TI rod is not only longer but just flat out a brute!

I can’t comment on the Okumas since I’ve never owned or fished with any outside of trolling.  

I’ve managed to put Diawa Lexas on all 3 rigs. 400 series H and HS models.  You want lower gears for pulling hard pulling baits but my eyes have been opened to the need for high speed reels too.  “Muskies are fast” is a comment I keep in mind when looking at reels geared over 7:1.

None of that sounds real budget friendly but I kept my expenses in check by shopping used gear.  Look for reels that are called out as being professionally serviced annually.

Hope that helps!

[arctic_scrap1]

6 hours ago, Wanderer said:

I did research on this same thing the past couple months.  Like you mentioned, it’s really easy to go over budget on musky gear!!

Youre on the right track to be looking at a 9 foot rod, especially if you’re tall.  The Shimano line has rods in several price points and will probably do just fine.  I needed 3 rigs so when I had the opportunity to get into a Sojurn for $25 I took it.  Mojo is one people seem happy with.  Aside from the Sojurn 8ft, I have my old Shimano 7.5 and also picked up a Tackle Industies XH 9 footer.  The longer rods help a lot for doing figure 8’s at boat side.  That TI rod is not only longer but just flat out a brute!

I can’t comment on the Okumas since I’ve never owned or fished with any outside of trolling.  

I’ve managed to put Diawa Lexas on all 3 rigs. 400 series H and HS models.  You want lower gears for pulling hard pulling baits but my eyes have been opened to the need for high speed reels too.  “Muskies are fast” is a comment I keep in mind when looking at reels geared over 7:1.

None of that sounds real budget friendly but I kept my expenses in check by shopping used gear.  Look for reels that are called out as being professionally serviced annually.

Hope that helps!

I ended up buying a 9' XH pole, some 65lb cortland braid, and some new leaders from Tackle Industries. I went back and forth a lot on deciding between a MH and XH rod. I'm a little worried it will be too much for the smaller baits I'll be tossing at first. I think I'm going to be using mostly my pike stuff while slowly picking up some bigger, heavier baits.

Edited May 6, 2018 by arctic_scrap1

[Wanderer]

It sounds like you bought the same one I did.  Yes, it’s a lot of pole but you’re after a lot of fish.  I was told it’s a good all around choice if you’re only going to have one.

Backing it up with your pike stuff should work out fine for at least the first season.

Good luck!

[gimruis]

I'm for the longer rods too, but the issue is that my rod locker won't hold a rod longer than 8 feet.  Some boats have longer rod lockers, mine doesn't.

Realize that everything associated with muskie fishing is probably going to cost more because of the size.  Longer rods require more graphite, heavier braided line is more expensive than 6 pound mono, and the lures are really where they get ya.  Trying to compare jigs and spinner baits to magnum bull dawgs, double cowgirls, and other large lures just isn't realistic.  Each lure is gonna cost you $15 or more, some up to $40 each.

[arctic_scrap1]

I was looking at some lures and Tackle Industries has a clearance on a few different types of lures, over 50% off. I ended up buying 14 big baits for under $100 shipped. I found someone local selling a handful of used double 10 bucktails so I picked those up too. I think I'm ready to go!

 

What do people use for tackle boxes for these giant baits? The 'ole Plano doesn't have big enough compartments for these monsters!

Edited May 7, 2018 by arctic_scrap1

[Wanderer]

@gimruis

The TI 9 footer telescopes down to 7.5 feet.  I’ve seen other longer rods do that and come in 2 piece models just for that reason.

@arctic_scrap1

Thats the way to do it!  Sales and used items - nothing wrong with that.

For a tackle box, I made a hanging bait box out of a tote and vinyl down spout for rain gutter.  I picked everything up at Menards about $20 or so.  It’s the black and yellow tote that has slots around the lid.  You can put your tools in the slots for easy access when fishing.  Cut the down spout in sections so they stand up in the tote to the right height.  Glue them together with Gorilla Glue and you should be all set.  20 tubes when all is said and done with room around the outside for longer baits.

I won’t claim the idea as my own; I found it when I searched for tackle boxes.

[arctic_scrap1]

4 hours ago, Wanderer said:

 

@arctic_scrap1

 

Thats the way to do it!  Sales and used items - nothing wrong with that.

For a tackle box, I made a hanging bait box out of a tote and vinyl down spout for rain gutter.  I picked everything up at Menards about $20 or so.  It’s the black and yellow tote that has slots around the lid.  You can put your tools in the slots for easy access when fishing.  Cut the down spout in sections so they stand up in the tote to the right height.  Glue them together with Gorilla Glue and you should be all set.  20 tubes when all is said and done with room around the outside for longer baits.

I won’t claim the idea as my own; I found it when I searched for tackle boxes.

I found a youtube vid with that same setup. I went and bought the box and down spout today.

[Wanderer]

@arctic_scrap1

How has the box been working for you?  Been pretty happy with mine so far.

 

[arctic_scrap1]

On 6/4/2018 at 8:31 PM, Wanderer said:

@arctic_scrap1

How has the box been working for you?  Been pretty happy with mine so far.

 

No complaints. I wish I had a box that wasn't tapered towards the bottom so much so I could have fit another row of downspout in it but since this box has the latches on it, it was the best way to go. I made sure there was a tight fit between my lid and the downspout and then put little notches on all 4 sides of each piece so hooks have a place to sit and there's no way they can come free.

[Wanderer]

LOL.  That’s exactly what I did too.

You can hang lures on the outside of your down spout sections too.  Or, put other longer items down along the side, or, the outside can be your tool storage while you’re not fishing.

I cut my two outside rows a little shorter than the insides so the top would even all the way across.

Its not the be all, end all for everything but definitely has it’s place!

[arctic_scrap1]

13 hours ago, Wanderer said:

LOL.  That’s exactly what I did too.

You can hang lures on the outside of your down spout sections too.  Or, put other longer items down along the side, or, the outside can be your tool storage while you’re not fishing.

I cut my two outside rows a little shorter than the insides so the top would even all the way across.

Its not the be all, end all for everything but definitely has it’s place!

Yeah I keep my buck tails and some top waters along the short sides and then threw tools, leaders, and some extra line on the long sides. For what it costs to make it compared to a $200+ box it's definitely worth it. To make mine sit level in the box I cut a little lip along the bottom of the downspout after I glued it all together. Just used my dremel.

Edited June 8, 2018 by arctic_scrap1