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Posts: 4
| I know it's probably been asked a 100 times but what would you recommend for a beginner musky fisherman? I'm asking about rod/reel and lures. Is it possible to have one rod that would several types of lures? I already know the importance of a net and tools for a quick release. I'm partial to St. Croix rods and really have no preference on a reel. I don't want to break the bank right away. What lures would you suggest? Thanks in advance.
Edited by Blueultra2 11/18/2015 1:04 AM
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Posts: 397
Location: Wisconsin | Send me a pm if you have any other questions. These are some suggestions that would give you a great start!
I would recommend getting a 8ft heavy musky mojo rod (made by st. Croix). Those are affordable and decent quality for your first rod. As for a reel, the Abu Garcia NaCl toro revo in the 5:4.1 gear ratio is a good reel, and a lot of places have them on sale right now because they have came up with newer models for this coming season.
In terms of baits I will suggest 5.
- You need to have a bucktail with black skirt and nickel blade, Spankys baits make real quality bucktails.
-you should also get a 9inch weighted suick. Maybe in perch or sucker color.
-I would suggest getting a mid sized medusa in a natural color.
- a good prop style topwater bait, such as a bucher top raider in black.
- I would also get a 6inch Crank bait, such as a Jake. |
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Posts: 323
Location: Elk River, MN | Depending on where you are and how much patience you have, if you can wait til Spring and attend one of the expos you'll find some really good deals on rods/reels. |
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Posts: 400
Location: Metro | One small suggestion relating to WiscoMusky.
Personally I would go with a bulldog style. While I do own a medusa I find that they are very frustrating to use. The tails are very stiff giving it little action on the pause and they also get caught in the hooks a lot.
Just throwing my two sense. They both will catch fish but you might get less frustrated if you are throwing a bulldog. |
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Posts: 50
| I would definitely attend any swap meets in your area. There are a ton of affordable lures, rods and reels for sale. Plus, most experienced guys are willing to share their knowledge and advice in a relaxed atmosphere. Especially after a couple nof cocktails. |
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Posts: 7049
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Check this out for some good info for a beginner on what to buy:
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Posts: 4
| Slamr - 11/18/2015 10:08 AM
Check this out for some good info for a beginner on what to buy:
??? Did you forget a link? |
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Posts: 688
Location: Already Gone | Blueultra2 - 11/18/2015 9:22 AM
Slamr - 11/18/2015 10:08 AM
Check this out for some good info for a beginner on what to buy:
??? Did you forget a link?
Lol, I was thinking the same thing.
I remember when I first started.... cool.
Edited by Mark Hoerich 11/18/2015 10:14 AM
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Posts: 7049
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Mark Hoerich - 11/18/2015 10:13 AM
Blueultra2 - 11/18/2015 9:22 AM
Slamr - 11/18/2015 10:08 AM
Check this out for some good info for a beginner on what to buy:
??? Did you forget a link?
Lol, I was thinking the same thing.
I remember when I first started.... cool.
Rough crowd...put the wrong link in then work got in the way of posting:
http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/board/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=28...
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Posts: 200
Location: Twin Cities | Tackle industries makes great affordable rods and have lots of options. For a good all around rod I would go with the 9 foot XH which handles just about everything besides big rubber. For a reel I would go with a Shimano Calcutta 400b-really good starter reel. Can find these on ebay for good deals.
http://www.tackleindustries.com/muskypikerods.html |
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Posts: 397
Location: Wisconsin | If you are willing to spend some extra on your reel, I agree that you should put money toward the Calcutta |
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Posts: 334
Location: Madison, WI | Musky952 - 11/18/2015 8:33 AM
One small suggestion relating to WiscoMusky.
Personally I would go with a bulldog style. While I do own a medusa I find that they are very frustrating to use. The tails are very stiff giving it little action on the pause and they also get caught in the hooks a lot.
Just throwing my two sense. They both will catch fish but you might get less frustrated if you are throwing a bulldog.
The medussa is a swimbait, the bulldawg is a jig. The hang time on the medussa is much greater,where as the dawg will drop quicker. The death pause with tails not moving is actually a great way to get strikes out of following fish. I witnessed this first hand in canada this summer, my buddy got a 48" with short rips and haning it under the boat when we saw ghost follows.
I always tuck the hooks up into the body of the bait and keep from hooking into the tails. I prefer the stiffer tails, if you dont try pulling on them a bit and stretching them out. they seem to really loosen up then. |
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Posts: 859
Location: MN | I just finished up my first year the first post has a lot of great information. I would only add that going to a swap for a St Croix H 8ft or 8ft 6 inch would be a great first rod. You can through a lot of lures with that rod. I know I do. Granted I bought 4 other rods but that St Croix is hard to beat for all around fishing. In fact If I see another one used I'm going to buy it. I think I picked mine up for 85-100 dollars. I then picked up a 400D to place on the rod vs the 400B. I have one of those as well but I think the D is much better and worth the extra 100 dollars if you think you might really put in the time. You might even see a few on here for 250 bucks or so used. But nothing wrong with looking for 6500c3 at a good price or used and then have it fixed up. The reality of it is you can pick up a good used rod for 100 dollars or less and a ABU 6500c3 for about 25-50 dollars and your set to go. The five lures type suggested are perfect. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | my suggestion to a beginner musky fisherman is to take up smallie fishing ...
if you are bent on musky fishing buy the rod you can afford and the reel you can't afford, the boat you can afford and the electronics you can't, then go find a "what 5 or 10 baits would you have if you could only have 5 or 10 baits" thread in the search function here on this site and see what continually repeats. buy them in either black or walleye color ... and say the pledge that muskies don't eat your walleyes, try to believe it too.
finally, it's so easy that it's hard ... |
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Posts: 4
| Thanks for all the replies. Would the Abu Garcia Toro S be a good reel to look at? |
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Posts: 323
Location: Elk River, MN | Yes, its got a great price and from the reviews it sounds like a great reel. Definitely a good first reel |
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Posts: 4
| The St Croix heavy action rod is rated for 3-8oz lures. So how would lighter lures in the 1.5-2oz range work on that rod? |
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Posts: 859
Location: MN | Fine. I was tossing the single bladed show girls fine. Reel matters too. the rating on that rod used to be 2-6
Edited by NathanH 11/18/2015 4:24 PM
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | Blueultra2 - 11/18/2015 3:51 PM
Thanks for all the replies. Would the Abu Garcia Toro S be a good reel to look at?
Excellent reel. I really like mine. |
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Posts: 218
| The 8' H Mojo rod is very versatile and I would stand with the others who have suggested that as a first rod. I use one a lot myself as well as using them with guide clients. Been a great rod for several years. For reels I would say that the Revo Toro S is a good choice (I've used that too) as well as the Shimano Calcutta 400 B which falls in the same price category. With any combination of those setups you won't go wrong. I sell this stuff for a living and see a lot of what works and what lasts.
Since you said you're already partial to St. Croix you don't have to look any further until you're ready to either move up in models or go for a rod that is more lure specific. Good luck. |
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