What Rod Reel Combo For Muskie?

[bearhunter]

I've been wanting to get into muskie fishing for some time and I was wondering what rod reel combo you think would be best for muskie fishing. And if at all possible, I'd like to keep it under $150.



Thanks!

[12Bravo20Bravo4]

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...233&hasJS=true

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...233&hasJS=true

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...331&hasJS=true

These are not bad deals here on Cabela's. I would go with a 7' rod to start out with unless you are shorter than 5'5" then I would go with a 6 footer. I know you wanted a combo under 150 but if you musky fish for long you will find out that its more expensive than you think. I Boated 2 musky's this weekend and had a few more follows on top of that. I have a 8' rod for bucktails a 7'6" rod for crankbaits and a 6' 10'' rod for jerkbaits and walk the dog top waters. Get the rod in your hands and see how it feels and if you can move it the way you want easily. Weight is a big factor also when it comes to the fish of 10,000 casts. My wrist was killing me after fishing with my 8' rod because it weighs alot.

[ChautauquaBob]

I agree with Bravo, if you can up your ante just a tad, the Shimano Compre and Garcia C3 would be a good combo for you to start with, yet good enough quality to last. The C3 has too good a reputation and I see it recommended too many times for a first choice starter musky reel to not consider it. Even guys who could spend a lot of your money for you which most of my friends are willing to do lol, say if you don't or can't spring for like the Shimano Calcutta, then go for a C3.

Same with the Compre as a good compromise choice for rod. If you really had a change of heart $$ wise then the St. Croix Premier Musky rod is the one,

http://www.cabelas.com/p-0039126121399a.shtml

Here's another rod to consider for a good price. The Cabela's fish eagle II "musky". I was considering one as a second back up rod but the store didn't have any instock for me to handle so didn't get one. Their item description shows the "power" rating on them but doesn't show the "action" rating, so I was afraid it would be too stiff for casting if they weren't fast action, without handling one.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...equestid=35590


Here's another sleeper at a good price. Even though is shows it as a salt water rod, if you carefully compare the "power" and the "action" to other known musky rods, this is a nice rod. I ended up stumbling on to one of these at the store where I could handle it on sale for some rediculous low price so got one as a back up and it turned out to be a nice rod. I got the 794 - 7'9" H power Fast action. They're showing $89. now but I found one for a bargain cave price for like $39.00

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...set=ISO-8859-1


Plus right now till the end of Sept. if you're a cabela's club member they're offering $20.00 off $150.00 which is 15%.

Have fun

[Cliffjumper]

I know you posted a question re: BC reels vs spinning reels (I responded to that one).

So the question may come back at you as ?? Spinning?? or ??BC?? reels?

Next question is your lure's weight ranges. I'm going to assume everything you throw will be over 1 oz, poppers to divers, spoons to baits. The rods I'll highlight will top out a 4oz.

For spinning, the size 40 Cabela Prodigy is a very, very nice Diawa, all metal frame & leg to handle the pressure. The line-cap may seem a tad low, but you get around that using 50#or 65# braid. Extremely nice reel.

For BC, I'm a fan of Abu, Diawa & Shimano. You can get an Abu 5600/5500 on sale for $70-$80 in C3 or C4. If you could possibly find a C5 MagX, just buy it immediately. Otherwise, these are in your range:

Abu C4, 5600 $80-$90; Okuma Induron 250-300, $90; Shimano Cardiff 300, $80-$100; Diawa Luna (blows budget), Pflueger Trion round 300 $80-$90; Quantum Classic MG, $85.

They all have the drag & handling you want in a price that fits. (you can talk Catalina, Curado 300, or Abu Toro, but $$$$$)

Braids allow smaller, lighter reels, but, you may prefer the leverage & strength of a round reel.

Rods. Bob's right about that SaltStriker, and I remember him shopping for that rod. I chose the 7'6" 2-pc similarly rated, and I bought 2 in the 'Cave'... too bad the're discont. now because I'm using mine a few times a week tossing 2 oz a mile. Nice rods. I could tell you about a couple other discontinued Cabela's rods... but you'd feel terrible.

Every day (3-5x week) I cast 1oz-4oz maybe a couple hundred times as far as I can into the salt water. Maybe my gear is so good I'm spoiled, but I cannot remember being so tired I'm dyin' & I'm coming on 60 & not in the greatest condition.


For Cabela's, Their SaltStrikers & TXS Salmon rods were my ticket, but what I can use & most strongly recommend are discontinued.

But I have the FE II musky and it is very very good, and light. It has a carballoy tip, large foregrip, which I love, and is a grey-colour $80.

For alconite tip & smaller foregrip (which I don't like), the FEII GC7042 is $50 on sale, and that completes your purchase in budget and very nicely. It has the same blank-specs and is the usual green.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...233&hasJS=true

If you can deal with a 1-pc 8' rod, and bump your budget, the Shimano Cennan is unbelievably nice and a scream @ $110.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...233&hasJS=true

Again 1-pc, but 7', $80. I own several Convergence rods, light & nice to handle.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...233&hasJS=true

Model CVC-F70HA

Spinning???

1-pc Musky on sale $50
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...233&hasJS=true

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...233&hasJS=true

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...233&hasJS=true

Pretty much everything else is lighter lure weights, 1-pc & higher than your budget. Berkley has a line of 'Cobalt" rods that might fit. I've only seen them @ BPS.

I tried to keep it all Cablea-available as this is a Cab's site, but... They sold off the models I think are fantastic, except for the FEII & Cennan, which fit your price-range.

Have Fun!

[Vince Weirick]

I prefer baitcasters for muskies...for most applications. I would definitely go with a longer rod!!! I have generally used 7-7.5' rods and have been switching over to 8.5-9' rods. Easier to cast the big baits and MUCH easier for figure 8s.