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Posts: 161
Location: New Jersey | I'm helping a friend put together everything he needs to get started on musky fishing and wanted some feedback. He has money to spend, but I'm not going to suggest he get high-end stuff and am just looking to get him started. Here's what I wanted to know what other people think.
Net-Doesn't look like the Beckman's are being made and I wanted to get him a net with a better yoke, but the Frabill Big Game's and Kahuna's are out of stock. Anyone have any other nets they're using?
Rods-I'm not gonna tell him to go get customs or LT's and I know he wants 2 of the same set-ups so he can take someone else out. I was thinking about the 8-foot XHF Premier rated for 3-8. He could probably even use them for casting and trolling. Anyone use these as an "all purpose" rod or can suggest another for throwing a variety of baits?
Reels-Again, wasn't gonna tell him to go buy a Tranx just to throw 10's. I was thinking the old 400B's are hard to beat for all-purpose and best bang for the buck. Anyone have any other suggestions for an all-purpose reel?
Thanks for any feedback in advance. |
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Posts: 908
Location: South-Central PA | I think a TI would be a better fit as an all-purpose rod, specifically the XH. The TI XH is very versatile, it will handle a wide range of lure weights as well as big blades.
I would definitely not use a fast action graphite rod like the St Croix Premier for trolling, you're just asking to break something. If he's not trolling with it, the XH Premier will be fine.
As far as a reel, take a look at the NaCL in 5.4.
jeremy |
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Posts: 109
| Im not an expert at any of this stuff but I like my frabill conservation series net really well. and I really like my TI rods. got xxh and xh. |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | I have a Beckmen my next net will be a drifter predator. Light weight and big. Thorn Bros gave one away at the musky outing at vermilion dam lodge. Very nice net worth looking at. |
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Posts: 1283
| I used a 8 XH premier its a great all around rod, but the TI XH and XXH are great also and cheaper. I would pair any of those with a NACL 60 5.4 80# PP and a 130# stealth leader and call it good. For a net I use the Frabil power stow. Fits in storage and is big enough for any musky.
The NACL has a clicker so its great for trolling and casting. As long as you set the drag right for trolling I doubt youll break the XH premier. |
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Posts: 149
| Frabil net
Tackle Industries XH 86 or 9 rods
NaCl reels or Abu reels are good intro reels |
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Posts: 341
Location: Western U.P. | X2 on the bigger Frabill Conservation Series nets.
The TI XH would be a good choice, as would the SC Premier (or Mojo) in a comparable wt range. Lots of good choices out there... Abu Garcia Volatiles, Fenwick Elite Tech's, Shimano Compre's, etc.
NaCl's are a top pick, but if you want to spend less, AG Record (or C3/C4), Lexa 300, & Okuma's Komodo & Citrix. Can also get used high end equipment if you want to go that way.
I've thought about if I were getting started, knowing what I know now, I'd probably get a TI XH 8'6" with a Okuma Citrix 364 or Lexa 300H, a small tackle bag that only fits 2 or 3 Plano 3700/3730 trays (to TRY to prevent myself from getting hundreds of lures), and have a good time.
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Posts: 161
Location: New Jersey | Guys that's really good info, much appreciated. I was actually thinking about suggesting the NaCl's instead of the Calcutta's, and I know he prefers the low-profile. I have a high speed NaCl on my jerk bait rod and I absolutely love it.
Unfortunately, even those big Frabill Conservation Series are out of stock. I buy most of my stuff direct, and apparently the Big Kahuna, Big Game and the big Conservation Series net are out of stock, there is a problem with the manufacturer (whatever that means), and there is no restocking date as of yet. This is all info directly from the marketing director at Plano/Frabill. They do have the folding nets in stock, but as someone mentioned, that Drifter net looks pretty sweet.
I had one of those Komodo's too and it was a phenomenal reel, just had to thin the herd a bit. Gonna toss things around and probably go with the Premier or TI and the NaCl's. |
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Posts: 51
| Just had my TI XH 9 1/2 break while casting a double dawg. If you go with that, I wouldn't cast any big plastics....big plastics does not include regular medussas or bondy's |
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Posts: 14
| longcastinlefty - 10/22/2014 1:45 PM
Just had my TI XH 9 1/2 break while casting a double dawg. If you go with that, I wouldn't cast any big plastics....big plastics does not include regular medussas or bondy's
If I remember right the mag double dawgs are 11 oz and the rating for the TI XH rod is 2-8. Maybe this could have been the issue? Correct me if im wrong. |
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Posts: 1283
| Not sure if he would ship but Daves Bait and Tackle in Crystal Lake IL has a Big game on the floor. |
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Posts: 908
Location: South-Central PA | longcastinlefty - 10/22/2014 2:45 PM
Just had my TI XH 9 1/2 break while casting a double dawg. If you go with that, I wouldn't cast any big plastics....big plastics does not include regular medussas or bondy's
A TI XH will cast a regular double dawg, no problem. The mag size is a bit large, but it will still handle it (but it's not ideal, the XXH would be better). You have to do something pretty drastic to break one of those rods...or any rod for that matter. In the dozens and dozens of rods that broke during casting that I've examined and witnessed over the years, the large majority were because of some prior damage to the rod blank- mostly unknown to the fisherman. All it takes is a simple whack on a sharp edge, stepping on it accidentally, kneeling on it during the chaos the ensues after a big fish hits the net, etc.
jeremy |
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | longcastinlefty - 10/22/2014 1:45 PM
Just had my TI XH 9 1/2 break while casting a double dawg. If you go with that, I wouldn't cast any big plastics....big plastics does not include regular medussas or bondy's
TI has never made a 9.5' musky rod...? |
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Posts: 23
| The net I fell in love with is that light weight Frabill that Joe uses. One man operation as I fish a lot by myself. It is really nice vs a big Frickin Kahuna. I believe its in the conservation series. |
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Posts: 341
Location: Western U.P. | ^^^ Conservation Series #9530. |
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Posts: 43
| I also recommend a ti xh, and a revo. I have been using mine alot lately, while my go to rod was being repaired. It is very versatile, and can do almost everything. It loads nice and has a nice bend when fighting fish. Cant beat the price either.
Just my .02 buddy |
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Posts: 51
| 9ft XH. the XH is good up to 12oz. I would still recommend it, I just think if you want to cast big plastics go with an XXH, but the XH has a lot better sensitivity |
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Posts: 607
Location: S.W. WI | Rod= Bulldawg 8' or 8'6" Evolution series. 2-8 oz 0r 4-16 oz. .... Gander.com ==$99
Reel = Calcutta 400B... Tacklewarehouse = $199
I have used (and abused) a few of these setups for many years now (100+ days a year) Very solid, Great products for the money.
Just my 2 cents.....
-Jon |
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Posts: 63
| Drifter makes a net now so its not just Frabill
Rods I would look at the Bulldawg series just cause you can get a good rod for a good price. Other wise for the price Abu makes a good rod. I know 13 fishing will have a line of Musky rods next year as well that are pretty affordable.
Reels I would look at the Lexa line from Diawa. I have yet to have an Issue with my 300 and I know a lot of people are liking the 400 size as well. |
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Posts: 7008
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Good advice all around for newbies on a buying spree: http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/board/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=28... |
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