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Posts: 10
| I currently own a 8’ Abu Garcia Veritas Toro with the Toro S60 rod for casting out on lakes and rivers: think Caesar Creek Lake and the like. But to go out there I have to travel at a minimum an hour and 45 minutes with my boat. However, just 20 minutes away lies Brush Creek, a tributary of the Scioto River, with supposedly a healthy and rarely fished population of Muskie. These places can be a bit unwieldy even for a 8’ rod. Could I use a 6’6” or 7’ setup for pike for muskie? I’ve been wanting to buy a Abu Garcia Vendetta in 6’6” or 7’ in MH or H with a Abu Garcia Revo SX in 6.3:1 gear ratio. |
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Posts: 3507
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
Years ago when I started fishing for these critters (around 1979 - 1980), a 5' - 6" rod was the norm. Heavy, stout, no give... Heavy braided line, much thicker than what is used in 80 lb test today, and an ambassadeur 5000 or 6000.
I would say for a small creek, you would be good with the rod lengths you have listed. Given you can throw up to a 3 oz lure or so in them or heavier if you can find it, you'd be golden. If you are looking to throw more bass-sized lures, a good pike set-up like you have, I'd say you are good to go as well.
Steve |
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Posts: 392
Location: KY | Sure you can. I wouldn't go less than 7'. Longer is usually better. Especially for fig 8s. I have an old StCroit Premier 7'2" Medium that works pretty well for fishing out of a canoe. The short handle helps when seated. I still use my 8'6" rods out of the canoe though. I like throwing 1/2oz - 1oz spinner baits, 4-6" crank baits, top water, and small gliders like a manta. Any rod that will throw the lures you want to use will work. Always use braid, leader, and have your release tools etc. |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | Shorter rods are easier to cast in tight places like creek banks with overhanging limbs and such. You don't really need the distance casting advantages that a longer rod would give you.
Do you have a plan for landing the fish once you hook it? Big nets are clumsy to carry up and down the bank, but make a capture more certain than trying to drag the fish up the bank. Bogas are kinda hard on the fish. m |
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Posts: 19
| You certainly can use those rods, but I use 9-9.5' rods in very small rivers out of a canoe all the time. I have now issues with that. I find small river muskies love big topwaters and big bucktails, hence the big rod. |
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Posts: 10
| My plan was to actually wear waders and get in the water with a net, net the fish, unhook it, and let it go free if I’m fishing from the shore or wading. I have a 12 foot aluminum jon boat with a trolling motor but I’m not sure I could use it at the spot I’ve been told about |
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Posts: 10
| Would 50 lb braid be enough? My 8’ has 80 lb but from what I’ve heard the average fish is around 36-40 inches there so would it be alright to go lower? |
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Posts: 3507
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
I'd suggest going no lower than 65 pound. The only reason for doing so are the wonderful professional overruns that happen once in a while. The thicker line makes it easier to pick them out. Maybe 50 pound would work as well. I have never gone that small on diameter...
Steve
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Posts: 10
| And would 50 lb be overkill on the pike? My goal is to have this setup for muskie fishing in the creek and pike fishing out on lake eerie next summer |
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | Like VMS stated, the line is not for the fish. If that was the only thing to take into consideration, you could go much lower. The line is more for the weight of the lures you will be casting and backlashes. |
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Posts: 794
Location: North Central IL USA | 50 pound is fine depending on lure size. |
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