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Posts: 59
| I'm buying my first trolling rod and I've narrowed it down to a Custom X and a St. Croix Premier Glass Musky Rod. I plan on running a wide variety of baits on it such as 12" Headlocks, 13" + and 10" Jakes and Grandmas, Ernies (both sizes), etc. Which do you prefer and why? |
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Posts: 386
| I prefer neither of the two you mentioned but of those two, the Custom X is the way to go. Lot of close friends use those rods and they are about as nice as you'll get for a trolling rod. I prefer 9' TDR's myself just because they work for me and are significantly cheaper, allowing me to purchase the best trolling reels which are needed for pulling heavy baits and boards. |
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Posts: 735
Location: Apparently where the Muskie aren't | I'm looking into my second trolling rod. Looking at a TI. Just something to consider but I've never been disappointed in a st.croix product |
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Posts: 20255
Location: oswego, il | Berkeley big game 21 bucks at walmart all you need. |
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| toddm thanks a lot,it look like a sweet rod |
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Posts: 427
| Any of the Berkly big game or a"catfish" or Ugly stick rods work well and all under $50.00. Wal Mart |
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Posts: 20255
Location: oswego, il | Never had an issue with cheap rods in nearly 2 decades of using them. Pulled 10" jakes and 13" grandmas with them. |
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| lmost all the st-clair guide are using ugly stick tiger series i guess they must be good.a good reel is the most important thing .200 dollars plus rod are really not something needed for trolling |
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Posts: 59
| I agree. A lot of people have tried to sell me on the TDRs and I just don't have confidence in a $35 rod. I also have heard enough stories about them breaking to turn me off of them. I don't mind dropping some extra coin for a good trolling rod that I'm confident will hold up at the moment of truth. Life is too short and muskie fishing opportunities are too few and far between for me to use substandard equipment. |
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Posts: 735
Location: Apparently where the Muskie aren't | Anyone see the videos where guys try to break ugly sticks |
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| yeah it was funny the #*^@ reel break before the rod |
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Posts: 735
Location: Apparently where the Muskie aren't | It took a 50lb kid in a go kart to break, and then then mad another video where the figured out the reason it broke was because of the fighting harness. Doesn't matter what rod you use, as long as the drag is coming out the rod won't break |
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Posts: 32934
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Sometimes 'hearing stories' is just what one hears. Plenty of quality lower cost options out there.
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Posts: 19
| I have used the Ugly Stick Clam 110066 6'6'' heavy trolling rods for about 5 years, had two of them and won't buy another, at the end of last season took it out of the rod holder and started to pull the bait in and it folded over right in front of the front grip, another issue with both of them is the ceramic guides popping out, that's it no more Ugly Sticks!
I have bought a couple of the Custom X 8' heavy trolling rods at the shows the last two years, they will pull everything out there, they are great rods and I am very happy with them.
As far as reels go I have heard some say buy a cheap rod, save your money and buy a $200 reel, I'm sorry but I must disagree, I fished the spectrum of trolling reels and have found that the Penn 309 is one of the best Muskie trolling reels out there, it has the loudest line out clicker, a great drag system, they are bullet proof and the cost is $59.99 |
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Posts: 59
| Thanks Bob. That was the information I was looking for. |
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Posts: 735
Location: Apparently where the Muskie aren't | Although I agree that you don't need $300 rods to troll effectively, I do see both sides of the argument. If your mostly a caster, like me, or it seems like most other guys in here, we just can't justify spending the big bucks on a trolling rod if we may only use it a few times a season. As "casters" we want to put our money into something that we will utilize every time we are out and it will benifit us. It's worth it to use because we use them all the time.
But, we need to remember that while some people primarily cast, there is some people that primarily troll and may only cast a few times a year. For them, it makes sense to have a nice trolling rod and reel because that's gear they are going to be working with all the time.
It all boils down to how much you are going to use it. If your like me and will only use it 3-5 times a year than I would take my chance with the $30 TDR or $45 ugly stick. And if I break, I'm only out $30 and I can go get a better one. But if I don't break it and it works, then I just save $100 or more (then I can use that money to buy more trolling baits)
If your a beginner, like me, I think cheap is the best way to go. If you break it oh well only $30, but if you enjoy trolling and want to get into it more, then start getting into the nicer gear. Spend money on what your going to use most. |
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Posts: 32934
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Bob54 - 7/4/2017 8:00 PM
I have used the Ugly Stick Clam 110066 6'6'' heavy trolling rods for about 5 years, had two of them and won't buy another, at the end of last season took it out of the rod holder and started to pull the bait in and it folded over right in front of the front grip, another issue with both of them is the ceramic guides popping out, that's it no more Ugly Sticks!
I have bought a couple of the Custom X 8' heavy trolling rods at the shows the last two years, they will pull everything out there, they are great rods and I am very happy with them.
As far as reels go I have heard some say buy a cheap rod, save your money and buy a $200 reel, I'm sorry but I must disagree, I fished the spectrum of trolling reels and have found that the Penn 309 is one of the best Muskie trolling reels out there, it has the loudest line out clicker, a great drag system, they are bullet proof and the cost is $59.99
What's that rod rated for? Is it a casting or spinning rod? Having trouble finding it. Got a link?
Penn 309 links:
https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?p=Penn+309+problems&ei=UTF-8&hsp...
My point is one can find posts on message boards doing a search about issues with any product. Take a look yourself at the products you are interested in and at how they are built, and make an informed decision. Asking here as your primary source of info will get you all sorts of conflicting opinions which need to be 'balanced'. Also, compare equal rods, not 6'6" to 8', etc. Look at customer service and warranty execution as well. Also, notice the original question answers quickly morphed. |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | supertrollr - 7/4/2017 1:31 PM
lmost all the st-clair guide are using ugly stick tiger series i guess they must be good.a good reel is the most important thing .200 dollars plus rod are really not something needed for trolling
Do you know what length and model ? |
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Posts: 20255
Location: oswego, il | I have 3 high end 2 musky, 1 multispecies rod from a very popular brand with the guide inserts epoxied back in and from very little use at the time of failure.
One of my trolling/sucker rods is a south bend catfish rod i paid 19 bucks for. Its 12 years old, caught a bunch of fish and spent alot of time with the rod tip in the water collecting weeds and getting bent over after a fish ate the lure 15-25ft behind the boat with braided line. |
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Posts: 281
Location: US | I don't troll a lot, but I use a berkley big game rod and have two shakespeare tidewater TWBT2040C70 7' rods. They seem a little heavier power than the big game rods and pretty nice for $30. I have not had a headlock on them yet though, but happy so far. |
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Posts: 32934
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Catfish rods work well, I have a couple.
Ozark Big Cat series
Pro Series Catfish Rods
Light Weight Super Strong
If you hunt the underwater depths looking for big blue or flatheads, this is your rod.
Rod Features:
Premium Lightweight IM- 7 Graphite Construction
Neon Glow Colors for High Visibility
100% Aluminum Alloy Reel Seat
Neoprene Washer between Locking Nuts
State of the Art Reinforced Stainless Steel Tip and Guides
Advanced EVA Non Slip Handles
True Grip Knob on end of Handle
1Piece
Not 'inexpensive', but a great rod for under $100. |
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Posts: 19
| sworrall - 7/4/2017 9:18 PM
Bob54 - 7/4/2017 8:00 PM
I have used the Ugly Stick Clam 110066 6'6'' heavy trolling rods for about 5 years, had two of them and won't buy another, at the end of last season took it out of the rod holder and started to pull the bait in and it folded over right in front of the front grip, another issue with both of them is the ceramic guides popping out, that's it no more Ugly Sticks!
I have bought a couple of the Custom X 8' heavy trolling rods at the shows the last two years, they will pull everything out there, they are great rods and I am very happy with them.
As far as reels go I have heard some say buy a cheap rod, save your money and buy a $200 reel, I'm sorry but I must disagree, I fished the spectrum of trolling reels and have found that the Penn 309 is one of the best Muskie trolling reels out there, it has the loudest line out clicker, a great drag system, they are bullet proof and the cost is $59.99
What's that rod rated for? Is it a casting or spinning rod? Having trouble finding it. Got a link?
Penn 309 links:
https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?p=Penn+309+problems&ei=UTF-8&hsp...
My point is one can find posts on message boards doing a search about issues with any product. Take a look yourself at the products you are interested in and at how they are built, and make an informed decision. Asking here as your primary source of info will get you all sorts of conflicting opinions which need to be 'balanced'. Also, compare equal rods, not 6'6" to 8', etc. Look at customer service and warranty execution as well. Also, notice the original question answers quickly morphed.
The Ugly Stick Model clam 110066 Action Heavy (20 - 50lb. line) it was a casting trolling style rod pared with a Tekota 600 line counter
The Custom X 8' Heavy Musky Trolling - By Chaos Tackle
I know comparing the Length isn't exactly right 6'6" to 8' but that was one of the shortfalls as well, I much prefer the 8'
As far as the Penn 309, yes you can find issues with any reel out there, but the 309 has served me well, and I must add they have been the choice of many charter boats and trollers on LSC for at least the last 30 years that I know of. |
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| Bob54 - 7/4/2017 8:00 PM
I have used the Ugly Stick Clam 110066 6'6'' heavy trolling rods for about 5 years, had two of them and won't buy another, at the end of last season took it out of the rod holder and started to pull the bait in and it folded over right in front of the front grip, another issue with both of them is the ceramic guides popping out, that's it no more Ugly Sticks!
I have bought a couple of the Custom X 8' heavy trolling rods at the shows the last two years, they will pull everything out there, they are great rods and I am very happy with them.
As far as reels go I have heard some say buy a cheap rod, save your money and buy a $200 reel, I'm sorry but I must disagree, I fished the spectrum of trolling reels and have found that the Penn 309 is one of the best Muskie trolling reels out there, it has the loudest line out clicker, a great drag system, they are bullet proof and the cost is $59.99
look like a walleye rod!
tekota worth every penny ,if you like using big cranks like you supposed ,you must know how it's pain in the butt to use a cheap reel like your penn when it's time to bring big deep diver like bwb or plow |
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| sworrall - 7/5/2017 9:57 AM
Catfish rods work well, I have a couple.
Ozark Big Cat series
Pro Series Catfish Rods
Light Weight Super Strong
If you hunt the underwater depths looking for big blue or flatheads, this is your rod.
Rod Features:
Premium Lightweight IM- 7 Graphite Construction
Neon Glow Colors for High Visibility
100% Aluminum Alloy Reel Seat
Neoprene Washer between Locking Nuts
State of the Art Reinforced Stainless Steel Tip and Guides
Advanced EVA Non Slip Handles
True Grip Knob on end of Handle
1Piece
Not 'inexpensive', but a great rod for under $100.
look sweet
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Posts: 20255
Location: oswego, il | I have a garcia catfish rod too that is 12+ years old aluminum guides and going strong.
I have some penn 309 reels. An age old proven design. I thought with the 3.2 gear ratio i would have good cranking power. Not that great. I bought the big power handle for them and will try that. Significantly bigger handle. 30 bucks though so it makes the reel 89 bucks. |
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| cap fleming of lsc is using only ugly stick,even for his planer board,if an old guide like that is using them since years i think it's safe to assume that they are not junk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIoqSzrGK3s |
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| horsehunter - 7/5/2017 1:47 AM
supertrollr - 7/4/2017 1:31 PM
lmost all the st-clair guide are using ugly stick tiger series i guess they must be good.a good reel is the most important thing .200 dollars plus rod are really not something needed for trolling
Do you know what length and model ?
MODEL # USTB3060C701 |
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Posts: 72
| I'll second the Berkeley Big Game rods (7'0", rated MH, 18 bucks at Gander Mountain on closeout). I was trolling a 16" Custom X in the prop wash at 5-6mph around Lake Bemidji last week with one of those, held up just fine. |
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Posts: 1785
| I do most of my trolling on-line.  When I do hit a lake I use a St Croix rod with a Tekota reel. Couldn't tell you the model numbers. I bought the combo from Thorne Brothers years ago. |
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Posts: 983
| The TDR are used by bunch of ppl including bunch of guides...every worker Ive talked to from thornes uses the TDR...Pat Hoolihan Where did you get a 9ft TDR Longest I could Find in a Heavy was 8ft...Ive used Trolling with No issue I thinkthis is a great Musky Trolling Rod and for $30 how can you go wrong... |
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| do you use a 2pieces rod tdr even when almost the whole rod is in the water pointed downward ? |
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Posts: 20255
Location: oswego, il | Yes and never had an issue, you figure the ferrel is under load so it isn't as likely to slip out. |
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| I also use the 2 piece 8' heavy Shimano TDR without any issues. Great rod for the money. you can buy 2-3 TDR's for the price of 1 "expensive useless trolling rod" that you don't need. |
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Posts: 983
| Yea Todd Right it not coming apart I trolled Mine for first time for about 3 hours this weekend and when I was done it took some force to get the Rod apart and I just put it together new right b4 we started trolling...had anywhere from a 12 inch huge lipped bait to a monster shad and handled it all great....even stuck a walleye while trolling Musky...20 inch wallleye smacks a 7inch Crank Bait..big fat 7 inch crank too |
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Posts: 323
Location: Elk River, MN | TDRs are awesome rods, can't beat em for the price. Pick one up at WalMart and if you don't like it, return it. |
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Trolling Rod Preference