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Posts: 14
| I'm new to musky fishing and I have a spool of 125 yards of 65lb braid I'm trying to put on a reel. I've been doing a lot of research today and I'm still clueless on what reel I should get that can handle a Muskie.
Was thinking about the Penn Fierce 2 model but any help is appreciated. |
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Posts: 140
Location: Scandia MN | Max drag is only 10 pounds which is not nearly enough. I've used a couple of Cabelas Salt Strikers in the past for folks that fear bait casters. Check their bargain cave from time to time and you'll find one that'll work. |
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Posts: 612
| Penn Battle II has a larger class spinning reel that has drag at 25 pounds and has a rather large spool capacity. Around $129.00 I believe. |
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Posts: 245
Location: Madison | check out the shimano symmetry 4000 size, 15lbs of drag, on sale or 69 at Cabelas. |
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Posts: 14
| Thanks for the replies. I have a heavy rod, bought the line and a few musky lures and was not expecting finding a reel for musky would be this hard. I'll take a look at what has been mentioned, what size model of those would be recommended for the 125 yards of 65lb braid I have? |
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Posts: 612
| The Penn Battle II BTLII5000, should hold that much plus have room for a little backing, at 25 pounds drag. |
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Posts: 555
Location: Tennessee | I use a Revo Inshore and it's been awesome. |
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Posts: 14
| The 6000 is cheaper then the 5 so may opt that direction.
The price on the shimano reel from cabelas looks better though. 15 pound of drag not enough? |
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Posts: 14
| kirkkopplin - 11/20/2016 11:23 AM
check out the shimano symmetry 4000 size, 15lbs of drag, on sale or 69 at Cabelas.
I'm liking the price. unless my math is wrong, the recommended line capacity doesn't seem like it will hold the line I have? |
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Posts: 245
Location: Madison | I am guessing the 65 braid is around 12lb diameter mono |
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Posts: 612
| Very thin braids such as power pro and Sufix 832 (some are a bit thicker) would have a ~ equivalency for 65 pound braid to 16 pound nylon Mono. |
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Posts: 83
Location: North of Sweden! | I have absolutely no opinion on spin reels whatsoever, and no experience in muskie-fishing at all, BUT something I do know is this;
you should NOT buy your reel from the standpoint that you have a specfic length of line at the moment, and you shouldn't make any decisions regarding reels based solely on the line you happen to have now at the moment. If you start fishing you'll be prone to change line - a lot! And, who is to say you won't be having a giant bulk-spool of line the next time around?
So, don't go making any decisions based on what you happen to have at the moment, unless the decisions happen to be very small...
kind regards
/peter |
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Posts: 983
| PikePeter - 11/22/2016 9:11 AM
I have absolutely no opinion on spin reels whatsoever, and no experience in muskie-fishing at all, BUT something I do know is this;
you should NOT buy your reel from the standpoint that you have a specfic length of line at the moment, and you shouldn't make any decisions regarding reels based solely on the line you happen to have now at the moment. If you start fishing you'll be prone to change line - a lot! And, who is to say you won't be having a giant bulk-spool of line the next time around?
So, don't go making any decisions based on what you happen to have at the moment, unless the decisions happen to be very small...
kind regards
/peter
exactly I had to read a couple times making sure I was reading that he is buying reel based of of Line he has!?!?!??? wow not to mention with backing you can make that braid work on about any reel you buy. I would look into teh ABU ambasseduer reels start around $79 and will be great for first musky reel..get a 6500 ambassseduer and you be fine to get started.. |
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Posts: 14
| You are right, Not limiting myself to just that line but at the minimum, I would prefer to stay away from baitcast reels at least for now I have zero experience. The penn battle 2 or shimano symmetry seeems to be my best choice with the shimano being cheaper.. |
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Posts: 612
| I use spinning equipment for musky's. I wouldn't recommend the Symetre, I've had problems with this reel. Sent it back still had problems.
If you want to stay with Shimano I suggest going up to the Saros or Stradic class reels spinning reels. The "4000" size should do nicely for Musky's. You often get what you pay for. |
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Posts: 48
Location: South shore of Lake St. Clair | Okuma Trio in a 55 size has been a great reel for me. 24 lbs of drag. No problems for the last 3 yaers with this reel.
They also have a high speed model. Price is just under $100 depending where you shop. |
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Posts: 105
Location: Florida | Nah85 - 11/19/2016 11:53 PM
I'm new to musky fishing and I have a spool of 125 yards of 65lb braid I'm trying to put on a reel. I've been doing a lot of research today and I'm still clueless on what reel I should get that can handle a Muskie.
Was thinking about the Penn Fierce 2 model but any help is appreciated.
There are many spinning reels under $100 that are capable of landing a decent sized Muskie. I used a Shimano Spirex to land my first Muskie, and the fish never pulled more than 10-20 yards at one run, even on the longest run. I have caught some big Snook on the Shimano Spirex, so I am sure this reel is capable of landing a big Muskie if needed.Other good spinning reels for under $100 are the following;
Shimano Sedona
Shimano Sahara
Shimano Symetre( can be found under $100 on sale)
Penn Fierce( great reel for the money, have caught several decent sharks on this reel)
Penn Battle( better than Penn Fierce,ones of the best deals for the price) |
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Posts: 14
| NPike - 11/23/2016 3:50 PM
I use spinning equipment for musky's. I wouldn't recommend the Symetre, I've had problems with this reel. Sent it back still had problems.
If you want to stay with Shimano I suggest going up to the Saros or Stradic class reels spinning reels. The "4000" size should do nicely for Musky's. You often get what you pay for.
I'm not partial to only Shimano, just looking for help and opinions on the best bang for buck reel in that price range. Quite a few options have been mentioned so I'm still unsure what I will narrow it down too. Most have good reviews and I may go with the penn battle as one mentioned because of the 25lb drag. |
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Posts: 1000
| honestly.... I wouldn't buy a spinning reel. You can figure out how to use a baitcaster and not have a backlash in 15 minutes. For under $100, buy a abu c3 6500. There's a little dial on the right side (not the drag). Crank that tight. That's your casting brake. Take a cast, it won't go far. Back it off a quarter turn. You'll cast further. do this until you get a small backlash. That's your opportunity to use your thumb.
I teach 3-5 people how to use baitcasters every year, and it literally takes minutes and they're all set. I wouldn't waste $100 on a big spinning reel because the line is going to hurt your finger with these big baits. |
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Posts: 14
| tbaatz - 11/20/2016 8:36 AM
Max drag is only 10 pounds which is not nearly enough. I've used a couple of Cabelas Salt Strikers in the past for folks that fear bait casters. Check their bargain cave from time to time and you'll find one that'll work.
Where are you getting that number? Looking at the specs, the Penn Fierce 6000 has 20lb drag. |
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Posts: 14
| tolle141 - 11/27/2016 6:58 PM
honestly.... I wouldn't buy a spinning reel. You can figure out how to use a baitcaster and not have a backlash in 15 minutes. For under $100, buy a abu c3 6500. There's a little dial on the right side (not the drag). Crank that tight. That's your casting brake. Take a cast, it won't go far. Back it off a quarter turn. You'll cast further. do this until you get a small backlash. That's your opportunity to use your thumb.
I teach 3-5 people how to use baitcasters every year, and it literally takes minutes and they're all set. I wouldn't waste $100 on a big spinning reel because the line is going to hurt your finger with these big baits.
Thanks, I will get into bait casters soon, but for the moment, I need a reel to compliment the rod I have.
I think I am going with the Penn Fierce 2 6000. With 20 pound drag, specs says 50lb/335 yards. I feel like this should handle a decent size musky? No? At least for the time being while I search a good bait cast combo and then this becomes a surf rig. |
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Posts: 815
Location: Waukee, IA |
Thanks, I will get into bait casters soon, but for the moment, I need a reel to compliment the rod I have.
I think I am going with the Penn Fierce 2 6000. With 20 pound drag, specs says 50lb/335 yards. I feel like this should handle a decent size musky? No? At least for the time being while I search a good bait cast combo and then this becomes a surf rig.
Most reels will handle a decent muskie, only muskie or heavier reels will handle muskie lures. |
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Posts: 2059
| A 6000 Penn..handle a decent size musky? Ha!, that reel will handle a decent size marlin... You need about 100 yards of line on a spinning reel for muskies... and 10 lbs of drag is plenty to whip any muskie in less than 5 min.. they are a relatively poor fighting fish.... For muskie I'd get the 4000 size (weighs 13 oz. vs 20 oz. for the 6000) |
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Posts: 14
| IAJustin - 11/29/2016 2:25 PM
A 6000 Penn..handle a decent size musky? Ha!, that reel will handle a decent size marlin... You need about 100 yards of line on a spinning reel for muskies... and 10 lbs of drag is plenty to whip any muskie in less than 5 min.. they are a relatively poor fighting fish.... For muskie I'd get the 4000 size (weighs 13 oz. vs 20 oz. for the 6000)
Thanks! Like the guy above you mentioned. Can the 4000 handle musky lures? |
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Posts: 2059
| handling a lure will be a function of your line and rod, I like spinning reels .. actually prefer them for saltwater fishing but lures over 2-3 oz get cumbersome to throw for very long, if you want to throw double 10's and pounders I'd definitely be getting a baitcaster soon! For small muskie lures, a good 4000 size reel will be just fine,, for me I'd go to a $100-$150 budget though, you'll be happy you did.... I you want a Penn get the Battle 4000 its a better reel for not much more money. |
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Posts: 612
| I use spinning tackle for 1.5 to 3.5 oz. baits and have for some time now. I agree the strain of tossing moderately heavy baits is worth the investment of a good reel. Whether the drag is 20 or 25 pounds it's enough for the type of fishing you'll likely be doing, you'll never have it set to max drag. I've got several Shimano Stradic 3000 class reels and have reeled in energetic Musky's up to ~ 25 pounds. As mentioned the Shimano Symetre 4000 didn't hold up for working the moderate sized baits. The Stradic reels (I recommend a 4000FK) have lasted for years of tossing Jerkbaits one of the most demanding applications for a reel because of all the instantaneous yanking "jerking" strain.
Good luck |
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Posts: 14
| IAJustin - 11/29/2016 3:54 PM
handling a lure will be a function of your line and rod, I like spinning reels .. actually prefer them for saltwater fishing but lures over 2-3 oz get cumbersome to throw for very long, if you want to throw double 10's and pounders I'd definitely be getting a baitcaster soon! For small muskie lures, a good 4000 size reel will be just fine,, for me I'd go to a $100-$150 budget though, you'll be happy you did.... I you want a Penn get the Battle 4000 its a better reel for not much more money.
Definitely helps. I do not plan to use big lures like those until later. I currently have some super shad raps and Mepps musky killers. |
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Posts: 612
| As you continue to seriously pursue Musky’s you’ll likely want to start tossing more of the traditional long time producing Musky crankbait and jerkbaits. There are reasons these type of baits have done well for so long for this particular niche (the Musky) market).
I.E.: Double D’s, Triple-D’s, Thrillers, Weighted Thrillers, Cisco kids, 9” Grandma’s, Bucher shallow raider, Bucher depth raider, Phantoms with curly tail, etc. I’ve only listed a handful of the musky hard baits in the ~ (2 to 4) oz. range, the ones I've used.
It would be helpful to experiment with these moderate sized baits. On a rod rated for (3 to 4) oz baits, throwing baits up to 4 oz is a workout. I use 30 LP Sufix 832. With 14”, 100 pound Seaguar Blue Label hand tied leaders. This combo works well and allows for great casting when using a 7.5’ or 8’ rod that's up to the task.
I went thru this transition to Musky spin fishing and moderately large baits some time back. PM me if you like.
True story the only 50” Musky I’ve ever seen was caught on a walleye jig at 50’ down on 8 pound test, so you never know.
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Posts: 14
| About 90 percent of my time I fly fish for bass and trout, recently was using one of my spin combos for bass with 6lb mono and a Rat L trap lure that hooked a musky, lasted less than a minute or so before the hook was spat out as I tried to be cautious. Hence my interest in targeting musky now. I have an 8wt fly rod And some musky flies but no such luck every time I've gone out. |
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Spin reel for under $100.