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Muskie Fishing -> General Discussion -> How Many Rods in the Boat?
 
Message Subject: How Many Rods in the Boat?
BigEasy
Posted 11/23/2015 6:09 AM (#793694)
Subject: How Many Rods in the Boat?




Posts: 31


Hey guys I have a total noob question as I'm just getting in to chasing the apex predator. I have to travel to Muskie fish so I will not get out but a handful of times a year. I'm not afraid to spend some coin to get rigged up but I don't want to go overboard.

I tournament fish for bass and carry 12-15 rod n reel rigs in the boat. That's mostly for back up, I'll have 2-3 rods rigged with the same bait so if I break off I simply grab another rod and don't have to retie. I'm not seeing buying that many Muskie rigs.

In my admittedly limited, to non existent, experience I'm thinking 3 minimum and 5 maximum. But, I'd like input from those with more time on the water to help me get my hands around it. Thanks up front, Keith
RandalB
Posted 11/23/2015 6:14 AM (#793695 - in reply to #793694)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?




Posts: 470


Two, One Rigged with a Bucktail, one with a Jerkbait. Three at most, adding a big rubber throw back.
I have a backup reel, etc. but I don't generally bother keeping it in the boat.

HTH,
RandalB
jonnysled
Posted 11/23/2015 6:34 AM (#793696 - in reply to #793695)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?





Posts: 13688


Location: minocqua, wi.
you truly only need one, but may progress to a logical 3 (with a couple/few backup reels) ... pounder rod, long bucktail/topwater rod and a jerk/crank rod, beyond that and you'll probably have a bigger problem wondering which jersey to wear.
Fenian
Posted 11/23/2015 8:04 AM (#793701 - in reply to #793694)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?




Posts: 50


Most of the time my boat looks like the obstacle coarse from Wipeout. At any given moment I could have a bulldawg hooked to my pants, a phantom stuck in a shoe lace, a bucktail pinned in a shirt sleeve and a topwater stuck in my sweatshirt hood. Add a few sucker quick strike rigs to the mix and it becomes truly rediculous. If I was a paid guide I would have OSHA breathing down my neck.
AndrewR
Posted 11/23/2015 8:51 AM (#793707 - in reply to #793696)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?





Posts: 300


Location: Minocqua, WI
jonnysled - 11/23/2015 6:34 AM

beyond that and you'll probably have a bigger problem wondering which jersey to wear.


^ absolutely right.
muskie-don58
Posted 11/23/2015 8:54 AM (#793708 - in reply to #793707)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?




Posts: 213


Location: FIB land
Yep - three
Flambeauski
Posted 11/23/2015 8:58 AM (#793709 - in reply to #793694)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?




Posts: 4343


Location: Smith Creek
3-4 not counting live bait rigs. I usually bring 2 along, which 2 depends on the season.
sworrall
Posted 11/23/2015 9:02 AM (#793711 - in reply to #793694)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?





Posts: 32759


Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Three muskie rods and a creature rod.
Fishysam
Posted 11/23/2015 9:03 AM (#793712 - in reply to #793707)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?




Posts: 1209


I have 7, 3 used each day 5 used throughout the season regularly, all 7 are used at some point or another. 2 on deck ready one in my hand if I'm with 1 person. 3 baits of different styles and size should cover you for any situation between depth/ structure changes.

I'm sure you understand how different strength rods and reels affect action and casting ability so you just need to figure out what lures, sizes and go from there. I use lures from 1-20 oz and have bass swimbait rod and reel as one of my Muskie rods 1-4oz have caught fish on it but you need to understand there is no way that rod will hook a nice fish if you are using it with a lure with lots of drag and or BIG THICK HOOKS
ToddM
Posted 11/23/2015 9:07 AM (#793713 - in reply to #793694)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?





Posts: 20172


Location: oswego, il
It depends on where I am going. For casting I will bring a xxh and an xh or an h rod and my flipping stick. What lengths the musky rods are will depend on who's boat and if I am fishing with someone or not. More people, shorter rods, smaller boat shorter rods. If I am fishing with suckers then I can add up to 3 more rods again, depending on where I am fishing. Same with trolling, I can add up to 6 more rods, depending on where I am fishing.
ESOX Maniac
Posted 11/23/2015 9:45 AM (#793719 - in reply to #793694)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?





Posts: 2751


Location: Mauston, Wisconsin
Eight....... all have a mission and are on deck, and usually have a different style/color lures on them, except for three Alien rods, those have different sizes, but same same color. 6", 9" 12" & also 16"r & other colors in lure storage available if the situation warrants it! Oh, I almost forgot a couple of walleye sticks, an ultralite spinning rod and two collapsible 11' crappie duster rods in rod storage.

So total 13 rods. I know, way overkill.... I do remember when I only had 1 bait caster and 1 walleye stick.....So I can get by with just 2-3. Thats what I usually take on flyin's.

Have fun,
Al
WiscoMusky
Posted 11/23/2015 10:02 AM (#793725 - in reply to #793719)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?




Posts: 397


Location: Wisconsin
4 rods for myself. 2 that are multi-purpose, 1 short and stout jerkbait, and lastly my 4xh rod for my rubber. I use rubber all year, never know when I may need that rod!

One of my multi purpose rods, I like like to keep a throw back lure On it just in case of a follow that looks like it may be an eater. I'll keep something like a creeper rigged up on it, ready to go if I want to quickly grab it and try for the fish that followed

Edited by WiscoMusky 11/23/2015 10:43 AM
achotrod
Posted 11/23/2015 10:53 AM (#793734 - in reply to #793694)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?





Posts: 1283


I used to drag out 4-5 rods now I only bring 2. I bring 2 St Croix Big nasty rods most days one with a power reel and a one with a high speed reel. I dont toss pounders very often so I feel those 2 set ups do everything else quite well.
Junkman
Posted 11/23/2015 11:44 AM (#793745 - in reply to #793694)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?




Posts: 1220


Like you, I come from doing a lot of bass stuff, and think this pedigree will result in more rods than the three most here are thinking plenty. Luckily, there's not enough room on the deck to spend all you might. Then again, there's always the garage. I have six plus a couple of bass sticks that are often just the right tool for musky too. That's four on the deck, four below unless I have the dog.
horsehunter
Posted 11/23/2015 11:49 AM (#793748 - in reply to #793694)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?




Location: Eastern Ontario
Anybody bringing more than 3 rods ( or 10 lures )won't be fishing out of my boat
Fishysam
Posted 11/23/2015 1:04 PM (#793752 - in reply to #793694)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?




Posts: 1209


Ha I agree that anyone bringing more than 3 rods irks me. I am a no clutter kind of person but my boats have been able to gobble up everything "extra" I guess from my post above I only counted my Muskie poles. I have 18 bass walleye Muskie rods in the boat plus up to 28 total if it is a bass Muskie trip. With my dad and a cluttered friend. Good news is, cabellas rod covers work awesome.
jonnysled
Posted 11/23/2015 1:10 PM (#793753 - in reply to #793752)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?





Posts: 13688


Location: minocqua, wi.
even with bass stuff ... wacky rod, topwater/crank/twitch rod, spinner for tubes, spinner for drop-shot = done like a dinner, anymore and you likely spend more time watching people fish on tv than catching them yourself.

frank has it spot-on
ToddM
Posted 11/23/2015 1:39 PM (#793755 - in reply to #793694)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?





Posts: 20172


Location: oswego, il
I think there is a big difference in the amount of rods and lures brought by someone who fished a local lake frequently vs an out of town person who does not. There is a pond by my house that bring a spinning rod, the spinnerbait that is on the rod and a pair of pliers. Much to consider with this question.
Junkman
Posted 11/23/2015 1:45 PM (#793756 - in reply to #793694)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?




Posts: 1220


Just to clarify a bit, I wasn't promoting the idea of dragging half of Rollie and Helens into some other guy's boat. A couple rods and two or three planos is more than PLENTY for a guest. I'm often the host and cringe when I see a guy who needs a bellman to carry his bags. That said, if it's your boat, and your trip....you ought to have what you want, and very well might need.
rodbender
Posted 11/23/2015 2:07 PM (#793757 - in reply to #793756)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?





Location: varies
Nothin worse than the guy who brings enough rods to build a 3 room stick hut and enough lakewoods to build furniture and furnish that hut. and that cooler that dubs as a hot tub...wtf!
BNelson
Posted 11/23/2015 2:18 PM (#793759 - in reply to #793757)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?





Location: Contrarian Island
I have 4 to 5 in my own boat... On a trip say to LOTW I can get by w/ 3.. when hopping in someone elses boat for a day/night I only bring 1 or 2 rods, a few baits, and some blue smoothies .. figure they have anything I would want to throw anyway... we all have that friend or 2 that "Muskyboys" us bringing more gear than they could use in a week

Edited by BNelson 11/23/2015 2:21 PM
ToddM
Posted 11/23/2015 2:44 PM (#793764 - in reply to #793694)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?





Posts: 20172


Location: oswego, il
Difference if I am in someone's boat vs mine for sure. 2-3 casting, 3 if the bass rod comes along. Sometimes friends want to bring my sucker or trolling rods, then there is more. I limit my lures to a soft sided Shimano box with Plano inserts.

Edited by ToddM 11/23/2015 2:46 PM
esoxaddict
Posted 11/23/2015 3:53 PM (#793766 - in reply to #793694)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?





Posts: 8702


1 jerkbait rod, wire leader
1 double 10/bucktail rod, flourocarbon leader
1 bulldawg/big rubber rod

Baits on deck:

1 or 2 double 10s
Double 8
Dawg
Tail Prop
Walk the dog lure
DDD or depth raider

Might change colors during the day, but those three setups and 6-8 lures will do nicely.

For s last minute day on the water, 2 rods, one 3700, rain gear, camera, done.
BigEasy
Posted 11/23/2015 5:23 PM (#793780 - in reply to #793694)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?




Posts: 31


WOW!

Thanks guys, that's some seriously good help there. Makes me think I guessed right on 3-5 rigs.

I just picked up my first two casting rigs(already have the fly rods covered with Loomis 10 wts) I bought St Croix Legend Tournament Top and Tail and a Sling Blade. For reels I went with Diawa Lexa 400s, one 7:1 and a 5:1.

I am thinking after I recover from the butt hurt of buying those two set ups I need one more but I'm torn between the Big Dawg and Big Nasy, or maybe adding a The Jerk.

Thanks gain for the help, I'll be asking for more help I'm sure.
johnsonaaro2
Posted 11/24/2015 11:18 AM (#793860 - in reply to #793694)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?





Posts: 239


Location: Madison, WI
A little late since you've bought it already but...
the 7:1 gear ratio has pretty limited applications in the musky world because of the large amount of torque required to bring in many musky baits.
This torque puts a lot of strain on gears and 7:1 reels won't last long when used for most musky presentations.
Most guys stick to 6.3:1 as far as multi-use high speed reels go
Aceboogie
Posted 11/24/2015 12:00 PM (#793865 - in reply to #793694)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?




Posts: 25


Location: Brampton Ontario Canada
3-6 per angler. For back up and lure options.
timhutson1
Posted 11/24/2015 12:26 PM (#793867 - in reply to #793694)
Subject: RE: How Many Rods in the Boat?




Posts: 251


I used to carry 5 rods but I have been going with less each year. I will have have maybe 1 or 2 extra back at the cabin just in case but I will now only take 3 on the boat. One heavier and one lighter. My Bucktail/All-around rod gets the most use and I will have a matching back up set-up. Having less will means the boat is much easier to get around in, I suppose that if you have a rod locker long enough to house your rods then go ahead and carry more. Also, In musky fishing I always use the leaders with snaps on the end so Changing baits is not nearly the deal it is for my bass set-ups.

My vote is for 3.
BrianF.
Posted 11/24/2015 1:15 PM (#793870 - in reply to #793694)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?




Posts: 284


Location: Eagan, MN
I own six rods/reels, usually fish with three or four, but was limited by my fishing partner to one for the lone tournament we fished this year. LOL Seems like the more dialed-in and committed to a particular pattern we are, the fewer rods are needed on board. Wish it was always like that. Brian
jlong
Posted 11/24/2015 1:29 PM (#793871 - in reply to #793870)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?





Posts: 1937


Location: Black Creek, WI

Hopefully I wasn't holding you back, BrianF!

Less is more. 

muskyhunter47
Posted 11/24/2015 2:12 PM (#793873 - in reply to #793871)
Subject: Re: How Many Rods in the Boat?




Posts: 1638


Location: Minnesota
I bring them all 9 casting rod's 4 trolling rods . Only have the rods out that I'm using all others are put away
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