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Posts: 4
| I've been looking at getting into musky fishing and was wondering about which rod length would work for me? Most people have recommended using a 9' rod, but I was thinking a 7'6" would be good for me. I will be fishing mainly lures under 3 oz. such as smaller bucktails, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, and topwaters. I also have a transportation issue so anything above 7'6" would need to be two pieces. I plan to go for musky about 10 times this year, and the rod would also be doubled for pike fishing. The rods I was choosing between were the Tackle Industries 9' two piece rods or their 7'6" rods. I was going to go with a MH power as I will be fishing mainly downsized lures. I also do a lot of fishing in smaller bodies of water from a small fishing boat and canoe. What rod length would you recommend? |
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Posts: 358
Location: Western U.P. | If you think that a 7'6" will work for you, go with that. Nothing wrong with that length MH rod for smaller lures in a smaller boat. If you get one and it doesn't work out, sell it, and try a different length. Good Luck. |
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Posts: 1084
Location: Aurora | Besides the TI 2 piece, check out their telescoping rods also.
The 9 footers knock down into the handle to become 7' 6" |
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Posts: 177
Location: ON | Small boat, storage issues, small baits, pike rod also. No reason you need a 9'. 7'6" mh or h is what you want. |
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Posts: 667
Location: Wisconsin | Nothing wrong with a 7'6" rod. Used a 7' rod from 1980's up until a few years ago. They work just fine. Yes, longer rods offer some advantages, but a 7'6" can and will serve you well. |
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Posts: 4
| I see that Gander Mountain has their Guide Series 7' musky rod on sale for $60 with a $10 rebate. Would going down to 7' be too short or should I look for at least a 7'6" rod? |
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Posts: 1084
Location: Aurora | Should be fine & dandy like sour candy fer what yer gonna do.
Still got a Daiwa Heartland 7 footer I wouldn't trade fer nuffin.
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Posts: 791
Location: WI | I have a 7'6" gander rod that is very nice for the price. Nothing wrong with a 7'6" unless you are in a big boat high above the water. 7'6" is a good choice for someone with a smaller boat or car. Too long and you will limit yourself when it comes to jerk baits. Also, pay the ten bucks for replacement on a gander rod and it is basically a lifetime warrenty. I am a st croix guy but I think the guide series rods from gander are better than a lot of other options out there. |
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Posts: 216
| ^^^ yup pay the ten bucks for replacement, I've broke one and got a new rod no prob.Had a brand new 8'6" xheavy the same day i broke it. You cant do that with alot of rods.The one that broke and the new one have caught a lot more fish than all of my more expensive rods combined.mainly because I use them mostly on my small river canoe floats where there's a chance i might break or lose them in a rollover. they make good loaner rods to guests too that might not be so good with equipment |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | My shortest rod is a six footer don't use it much. But when i pull it out its still a fun rod to use |
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Posts: 62
| I have a 7' 2" med hvy st. criox premier and love it for light musky and pike applications, handles up to dbl8s, and is ideal for drop belly gliders, big spoons and 7" suicks. I personally never liked the super long rods, seems like a bit of a fad, i have and 8' 6" and it is almost too long, they are good for bucktails but for baits where you are imparting action i find it takes much less effort with a short rod. I fish from shore and from a canoe alot aswell and the long rods are just to cumbersome. |
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Posts: 1753
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | St. Croix 9' premier two piece! I fish from a 14.5' boat with 9.5' long rods. Once you try a long rod, there is no going back. Even my bass rods are up to 8' now... |
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Posts: 216
| Right they do have advantages. Longer casts with ease on the angler, deeper boat side figure 8s. But I do have a 7' for jerks, glides and top waters.In canoes I here ya they can be Too big of a pain and that's how mine get broke.fighting a fish or just not paying attention with another rod over the side and run it into a tree or the bank and break it.thats the beauty of those gander rods.The pro select and gsx classic are like $79-89 and the advantage is like a $40-50 rod new. Go get another one. |
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Posts: 209
| Use what works for you
I like longer used to the as I mostly fly fish for me it's a 9 ft 6 in xhvy |
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Posts: 345
Location: Poynette WI. | shimano has a new rod that is telescopic, i think it's called the convergence or something. I saw it at the throne bros booth in madison. I believe you can get an 8ft or 8'6 too. I was looking that the 8'6 and the price was around 90 bucks. i have an 8ft okuma and 8'6 okuma musky rod they both are telescopic, i picked them up at a garage sale, 30 bucks for both. i had to add a new guide to one. They were my first two musky rods and for the price i love them and have caught a lot of fish on them. Great starter rods. i also fish out of a small boat a lot and 8ft is plenty, i use the 8'6 though for all my bucktails, If you look around you can find musky lots for sale and often find a great deal on what ever your looking for. |
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Posts: 4
| I think I'll go for the 7' gander mountain guide series rod. I checked it out in one of their stores today and it seems like a well built rod. Thanks for all the input everyone. |
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Rod Length