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Posts: 5
| So living near Green Bay I would really like to start fishing for musky but I would like some advice on gear. I don’t want to spend a ton on my first setup. Preferably keeping it around 100$ for the rod and 100$ for the reel (I know that’s cheap for musky gear).
I looked at a lot of rods and reels but I’m not sure what would be best. I liked the musky innovation rod that can come for lure between 2-10oz or 4-16 oz. I’m not sure which would be better. I’m a little more clueless as to what reel to get as all my gear for bass is spinning gear not bait casting. I’m having a hard time finding a heavier reel for musky that has a left hand retrieve which I would prefer. Any advice? |
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Posts: 670
Location: mercer wi | The MI 2-10 rating rod is a more all around rod for entry level. If you save up a couple more buck, the abu toro s61 is a lefty reel and I think the s series is a great reel. I seen 1 on ebay for $166. Or the max toro comes in a lefty as well. Those are on ebay $120 all day |
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Posts: 5
| The s61 looks like a nice reel. The max toro I don’t think has very good capacity for #40 + line that the rod would be rated for. I found one a abu Garcia C3 round reel that looks nice but doesn’t look as nice as low profile reels. I’m not sure how they feel comfort wise in comparison |
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Posts: 145
| $100 for the rod and $100 for the reel is tough.
Look at the Okuma EVx-B Musky rods, the 8ft6in X-Heavy will be a good rod to start with. For $119 new you would be hard pressed to find a better performing rod for that money. The EVx Musky rods handle casting their wide lure casting range well; using the XXH version, I could cast bucktails as well as pounders without difficulty. But, if you are willing to spend more, I would go with a 9ft XXH Tackle Industries rod, they are light in weiight and the actions are crisper.
Reels are a bit tougher, you could always get an Abu Garcia 6500C4 or an Okuma Citrix 364, both can be had for around $130 if you shop around and they come in left handed versions. But, to be honest, I recommend just biting the bullet once and get yourself a Lexa 400HD or Revo Toro S 61; all of which can be found for around $200 and come in left hand configurations.
You could also get a used set-up to start with, which would be cheaper, but would also require more searching to find exactly what you want. |
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Posts: 145
| Cak920 - 2/6/2018 9:26 PM
The s61 looks like a nice reel. The max toro I don’t think has very good capacity for #40 + line that the rod would be rated for. I found one a abu Garcia C3 round reel that looks nice but doesn’t look as nice as low profile reels. I’m not sure how they feel comfort wise in comparison
The bigger low profile reels will have better cranking power and a stronger once piece frame then your Abu round reels like the C3, but if you do go with an Abu round reel, I would get the C4 since it has a thumb bar for casting, slap a power handle on the reel and you will gave a decent entry level musky reel.
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | Tackle Industries has 7' XXH rods for 6-16oz for $100 on special right now.
https://tackleindustries.com/shop/musky_pike_bass_walleye_crappie_fi...
Thanks
James |
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Posts: 5
| Ok. For my first setup I decided to go with a Cabela’s predator musky rod that I liked the feel of. I got a Cabela’s arachnid reel that I’ve heard really good things about. I got the reel for cheap and will probably upgrade at some point since the line capacity is limited. What do you guys think of that setup? Any experience with Cabela’s rods? |
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Posts: 200
| I have an 8’ Cabela’s predator rod. I havent fished with it yet, but I wanna hope no I will like it. It has a good backbone, isn’t too heavy and the Winn grips are nice. Which rod did you get? Not sure on the reel, have no experience with the arachnid. |
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Posts: 5
| The Winn grips are what sold me on the rod. They feel great. I got the med-heavy 8 ft model. I went with med heavy so I could throw smaller lures when I fish lakes for pike that don’t have musky. If I like it I’ll get another one to dedicate to musky. Probably the 9’ heavy model |
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Posts: 200
| That’s the same rod I got. I fish for stocked tigers and I fish generally smaller baits, paired it with a Lexa Winn 300 or lews super duty not sure which reel is going on it yet. Excited to try it this spring! |
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