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Posts: 18
| I have searched this forum and got a lot of great info. I guess I am at the point that most of you were at when you got started in Musky Hunting. I want to buy a good rod and reel that will reliable but I do not have a lot of money to spend, I can afford around $125.00 for Rod and Reel set-up. My question is if you where to start over again what would you spend $125.00 on. I understand that I can go real cheap and end up replaceing gear, or go real expensive, which I cannot do. I need something in between.
Thanks |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | first i'd consider used ... try to get to a swap meet or keep your eyes on this board. lots of quality stuff being moved out of for some to upgrade their own arsenal. put out a WTB add on this site and see what comes your way. |
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Posts: 147
Location: Milwaukee, WI | I agree w/Sled, you will get more for your money buying a used combo. If you can find one in good condition.
If you want new gear, go to Cabelas.com. They sell a 7 foot, heavy action, salt water "Whuppin-Stik" (WSSC705) for $55. Fiberglass rod, but that is fine for trolling. It will cast OK, but not as good as a graphite rod. This is the item you would replace first, in the future.
Cabelas also has the Diawa Millionaire M-C300 baitcaster reel, with dual ball bearings & infinite anti-reverse. for $60. It will hold 200 yards of quality, 80lb test line.
This is an acceptable combo that will get you started for at least a year or two. You can troll or cast with it. And it will handle heavy musky lures fine.
Fill that reel with 80 lb test braided, Spectra line, no stretch and it should not break when you backlash. There are many good braided lines, I like Cortland Spectron, 80lb test.
Edited by snaggletooth 3/31/2009 12:41 PM
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Posts: 717
Location: Grand Rapids, MI | My least expesive setup was a MH 7' Gander Mountain Musky rod with an Okuma 250. I walked out the door paying around $90. |
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| $125 is tough; and I'm no expert; just an interested amateur. I use Gander Mountain rods for best results, bearing in mind economy. Two years ago, I found one on sale for $29.95. The regular price was $49.95. For reels, the $85 class has both the Abu Garcia 6500C3 and the Shimano Corvalus. I have three of the Shimanos. They work.
You might see if Shakespear has a muskie weight Ugly Stik. |
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Posts: 130
Location: Chicago | Shakespere has a musky rod (calm1100) 6'6", I have it and it is a pool cue, I use it for jerk baits and trolling. It's a decent rod very stiff, not an all around use rod. My first setup was a Shimano Compre Musky rod (lifetime warranty) and an Abu Garcia SSC3 6600 (great reel, parts and service available everywhere) IMO your best bet is to keep your eyes on this buy sell trade board lots of good deals and the guys on here are straight forward lots of different opinions but, I don't think you would be going in the wrong direction if you listen to any of them. Good Luck! Dave |
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| If you go new I suggest Gander Mountain. You can get a nice combo for the price you are looking for. They offer a really nice selction of Muskie rods at a value price. I have been impressed with both their rods and reels and best of all they stand behind their products 100%. Any issue's and they will replace no questions asked. I have used both their rods and reels in all purpose application for a couple of years and have been pleased. For the price, the quality is great. |
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Posts: 307
| I have a custom Thorne bros. rod built on a Lamiglass blank CGX96XH 8 ft. long. I won this rod at the metro muskie tourney in 2000. I also have a Diawa Millionaire S 300, this reel has a few scuffs on it from bouncing around, but has almost zero use on it as I had it as a backup and never used it. It is currently spooled with 80lb tuff line. If you're interested I'll sell you this rig $140 shipped to your door.
PM me or email me at [email protected]
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Posts: 676
Location: Wisconsin | Have you checked out Ebay at all? You might find a used 6500 or 5500 C3 for pretty cheap or at least cheaper than new, right now on Ebay there is a Fenwick and St.Croix musky rod for around 50 bucks. |
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Posts: 159
Location: Stevens Point, WI | What sled said. I got a used combo for $50 that was my most reliable rig last year from the buy/sell/trade forum. There's always something worthwhile there, and $125 will go a long way toward quality used gear. |
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Posts: 25
| I'll second eBay. I just picked up a 5500C3 in great condition for $35. |
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