|
|
Posts: 11
| Warning: Long post from a semi-noob.
Hey guys! I'm not exactly new to musky fishing but I'm learning that I bought(or was given) the wrong equipment when I was young. I need some serious advice when it comes to my current combo's and where I should go from here. Before I start, I keep reading about getting tired while ski fishing and that just doesn't happen to me. I'm youngish, not out of shape(but not in the best, lol) and can cast all #*^@ day. I am, however, not interested in ruining the expensive rods/reels I want to buy. Any advice will be GREAT help, trust me..haha
I have two combo's I currently use:
My go-to right now is a 7'6" heavy gander mountain musky rod with an Abu Garcia C4. I cast pretty much all the musky baits I own with this rod(Top waters, a waxwing, 7" suick, regular bull dawg, 8" jointed believer and my "bigger bucktails" that consist on Mepps Giant killers/marabous/etc.). This is the first season I fished with bulldawgs and that believer and I after a little research that C4 isn't exactly cut out for that. The only time I really noticed it on the water was when I was casting the crank bait. The rod/reel are in excellent condition and I clean/grease/oil the hell out of the reel twice a year.
My 2nd combo was a gift a long, long time ago. Bass Pro Shop's extra extra heavy graphite series casting rod (rated for 1/2 oz to 2 oz baits) with a crappy Shimano reel. I got it when I was around 10 years old and never really thought about what I was doing while fishing until my late teens/twenties. I now use it to cast my tiny bucktails and spinners. The rod, I think at least, is an extremely heavy flippin stick but it held up for me so far. I caught my personal best on it actually(43" only) but recently missed what my fishing buddy thought was a 48+ fish(I just caught a 50" sturgeon this spring walleye fishing and it was about the same size. It was at least 45"). I blame the reel because the pole isn't a punk and the drag on that thing sucks. I take care of it but it's just not cut out for this type of fishing. It handles everything under 40" just fine though so it has it's uses.
I want to maximize the equipment I have now and move towards expanding my horizons when it comes to the equipment and baits I throw. First off, that one reel is already sitting in the garage taken off the rod. On the grand scheme of things I would like to buy a combo to handle large baits but I really don't have the ability to go out and buy an expensive combo along with DCG's, pounder bulldawgs, etc.
Questions I have are:
1) If I put that C4 on that lighter pole will I have problems casting lighter baits? I tried casting my light bucktails on my main set up but my casting distance really, really suffers(assuming it's the pole). I can launch those light buchertails and Mepps musky killers, etc, with my light set up.
If that C4 won't fit that idea, however, what about a Daiwa Lexa 300 HS-P?
2) If that switch would work, however, I'm looking at buying an Abu Garcia Revo Toro NACL. I've wanted one for quite some time and I can afford it. With the 30" pick up on my C4, would the HS version be too similar? I'm used to fishing with cranks for walleye/pike/bass and I'm good at slowing down my retrieve and working the bait, but would the HS be able to handle believers/other crank baits? I read people mentioning the sling blade and HS NACL as an all around set up and this wouldn't be much different.
3) For future reference when it comes to the larger set ups, I would like a pole that can handle big bulldawgs and bigger blades. From everything I gather the Tranx is the best but spending that much right now seems as far fetched as my Brewers winning a pennant.. The rod is easy to pick out but what should I look for in reels to fit this? Highest amount of line pick up with the lowest gear ratio I can find? My uncle has a Daiwa Saltist that I casted for a whole day and loved it.
TL;DR: I'm looking to spend a max of $270ish on a reel/line right now. I have two rods and one reel I'm comfortable with...Abu Garcia C4, a 7' rod rated for 1/2 oz to 2oz baits and a 7'6" rod rated for 1.5 to 5.5ish oz baits. Should I get a Revo Toro NACL and put the C4 on my light set up? Should I get the regular or the HS version, then? Or should I keep the C4 on my "heavy" set up and buy a Daiwa Lexa 300 HS-P for my light set up? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1416
Location: oconomowoc, wi | get the NACL 5:4.1 ratio... match that up with a Tackle Industries 9 foot XH. (split grip or full, your choice) put 80lb cortland bronzeback masterbraid on the reel. this set up will handle everything you are throwing. just my .02 worth. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1039
Location: North St. Paul, MN | Which C4, because it matters in my opinion? If it's the 6500 with a push button, you're in luck. They don't make it anymore and from my experience a good reel for jerkbaits and walk the dog topwaters and picking up slack for soft plastics. If it's a 6600 with the thumb bar...good luck. I returned two to abu garcia and have since given up on their thumb bar reels. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 11
| It's actually the one that holds less line with the thumb bar, 5600. It works fine for me and I'm still going to use it one way or another. I'm leaning towards buying the toro nacl regardless and saving up for another combo.
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 311
Location: Lake St.Clair | Look for a lighty used spooled nacl for a good deal.
They are out there just be patient keep your eye bst and Facebook musky flee market.
Then buy a retipped rod from tackle industries James is a good dude if he has one he will help you out. And then your set throw the nacl on the ti rod And Put the c4 on the other light rod as a backup. And then your good to go. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 275
| I agree with the above post on going with a NACL 5:4.1 with a Tackle Industries rod but I would go with an 8'6".
Jaimy |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1828
| I think you have a fine plan. Get a nice reel and put the C4 on either of your current rods for lighter baits. However, once you get an 8' or longer rod, you'll wish you did it sooner.
If I was in your position with $270 to spend, I'd shop around for a really good deal on the Revo Toro ($200 or less) and then get an 8'-6" or 9'-0" XH or XXH rod. You might have to stretch out to $300 overall, or just buy used gear like ToothTamer said.
Personally I'd go 6.4:1 gear ratio on the reel. You can always slow down your retrieve with a faster reel, but it's a PITA to spin the handle 100 mph when you want to go fast with a slower reel. I've had a 5.4:1 Revo Toro for seven years and a 6.4:1 for three years. Love em both. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 11
| Thanks for the suggestions guys. Definitely going to look for an NACL within the next few weeks. They're on sale for $230 right now at Cabelas so I may even just do that instead of buying used and save up for a XXH rod. Anyone have experience with sites like "BigSupplyShop.com" or "ManVentureOutpost.com"? They're pretty cheap there.
I'm stuck on which gear ratio to go with but I have some time to figure it out while I find a good deal(maybe that will be the deciding factor, too). I think the 6.4:1 will be great for everything I currently own but I do want to dive into double bladed buck tails. I still have to buy some(haha) but can the 6.4:1 handle double 8's on a regular basis? I'm not worried about getting tired while casting or wearing myself out but worried about the reel itself. I'd be happy just buying one or two of those in different variations and being able to cast those. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 141
Location: Maryland | Lexa 400 or Abu NACL! Like they said,keep an eye out u can find a good deal. Or also look on Ebay. I bought a new Lexa 400 for $150 shipped on there a few months back. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1828
| pjhotel47 - 7/10/2015 10:44 AM
can the 6.4:1 handle double 8's on a regular basis? I'm not worried about getting tired while casting or wearing myself out but worried about the reel itself. I'd be happy just buying one or two of those in different variations and being able to cast those.
Personally I feel the 6.4:1 is better for bucktails of all sizes than the 5.4:1. You won't wear it out with double 8's. To me, this real is ideal for double 8s. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 281
Location: US | pjhotel47 - 7/10/2015 10:44 AM
Thanks for the suggestions guys. Definitely going to look for an NACL within the next few weeks. They're on sale for $230 right now at Cabelas so I may even just do that instead of buying used and save up for a XXH rod. Anyone have experience with sites like "BigSupplyShop.com" or "ManVentureOutpost.com"? They're pretty cheap there.
I'm stuck on which gear ratio to go with but I have some time to figure it out while I find a good deal(maybe that will be the deciding factor, too). I think the 6.4:1 will be great for everything I currently own but I do want to dive into double bladed buck tails. I still have to buy some(haha) but can the 6.4:1 handle double 8's on a regular basis? I'm not worried about getting tired while casting or wearing myself out but worried about the reel itself. I'd be happy just buying one or two of those in different variations and being able to cast those.
I just ordered a spinning rod and reel from Bigsupplyshop.com. I'll let you know how that experience goes. They are considerably cheaper than most places, they have pretty good deals on the NACL's. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1416
Location: oconomowoc, wi | NACL 60 5:4.1 right handed on Ebay... $219.00 |
|
| |
|
Posts: 357
Location: Western U.P. | The 6.4 NaCl will work fine for Double 8's. I have used 6.4's for years with 8's, and no problems or additional wear on the reel fishing once or twice a week. It will also work fine for an occasional Double 10, but I wouldn't want to make a steady diet of it. A 6.4 will work fine for what you're doing, and you can always pick up a 5.4 down the road if you need/want to. Good luck. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1283
| I have a bunch of NACLs in both ratios and love them but if I had to choose one do it all reel it would be the NACL 60 5.4. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 11
| Bought a NACL 60 6.4 from ManVentureOutpost.com for $200 last night
Lets hope "The image and details above are a representation only, production variances may exist. For details please contact us or the manufacturer prior to ordering" isn't major.
I, of course, noticed this fine print AFTER I ordered it..haha. It should be fine. Thanks for the advice guys! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 47
| Just got a nacl 60 5.4 from ManVentureOutpost the reel is exactly the same as the one from reeds that I got at the muskie expo. Ill definitely be ordering another from them. |
|
| |
