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| Hey Guys,
I'm a newbie when it comes to muskies and only get out to throw 3-5 times/year so nowwhere near what you guys are doing. I have a rod now, but it's a cheap one that I got a deal on about 10 years ago and in my opinion too stiff for most applications.
I fish mostly weed fish in Northern WI and throw bucktails, bulldawgs, and some jerkbaits. Can you guys recommend a nice starter rod for me, and even a reel too. I use an Abu 5600 right now, maybe that is adequate?
Since I don't fish for skis much I don't want to break the bank. Thanks for the help!
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Posts: 96
Location: Eau Claire | Let everyone know what your looking to spend and then suggestions will be easier. |
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| My preference is $50-$60 for each rod and reel. |
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Posts: 1887
Location: syracuse indiana | james at tackle industries has awsome rods at just around 140.00 for a great well built rod . i would suggest the mag 8 1/2 - 9 ft rod. it will throw all the baits that you can think of. that rod is rated from a 3oz to 12 oz baits and the rod is very forgiving it will throw lighter baits too...bill
www.tackleindustries.com |
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Posts: 283
Location: beloit | look at the gander mt rods. I have an 8'6" xh 2-6oz that I throw almost everything with and it was on;y about 80$ adn there stuff is almost always onsale. as for the reels the shimano corvalus is under 100$. also try looking in the buy/sell forum on here and you can find some really good deals in there. |
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Posts: 96
Location: Eau Claire | you can find some good used things for the price your looking for on the buy/sell forum here. The abu you have will work for what your throwing, so you could spend more on a rod if you decided to go that route. Tackle industries has excellent rods for the price. Shimano also has some cheaper rods like the compre and convergence. I suggest getting the best rod you can afford. |
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | Still have my special on my rods for $110 delivered in teh USA and $120 in Canada. email me if you want one Newbie.
[email protected]
http://www.tackleindustries.com
Thanks,
James
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Posts: 582
| If you want something around $60 for a rod, Gander has some good choices and so does a company called Reaction Strike. They make the bulldawg rods just with lesser guides etc.. but they are fantastic for the price. Picked one up at a show and between that rod, and my Tackle industries rod i have found some of my new favorites. |
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Posts: 156
| If you really don't want to spend more than $60 you are going to have to dig to find a decent new rod. I was able to get a Pete Maina sig series rod on clearance from Bass Pro for around $70 - but those are long since sold out. Basically unless you can find a great sale you are going to be really limited. If you can find a good quality used rod you might be able to make your $$ limit and get a better overall rod. Personally I like to shop rods in person unless I know exactly what I am ordering. For instance I have a 7' musky rod that is for lighter weight stuff - it is rated 1/2oz to 2oz - however it really CANNOT throw 1/2 oz baits. It is really 1 1/2oz to 4oz based on a year of experience with it. If I had ordered it sight unseen trusting the rating I would have been disappointed. |
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| Thanks guys, all good tips so far and I appreciate it. Looks like my budget probably jumped up to $100 for the rod and I'll use my current reel. Do muskie rods pretty much go by ounces then and not really action? I shouldn't be worried about the tip either being fast or medium, etc? |
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| I too was once a Newbe--in success I still am--so I know from where you come. I can second the nomination of the Gander Mountain Muskie rods. My impression is that they are worth what they cost--and I have three. I also have three Shimano Corvalus reels. They too are worth what they cost, and I paid about $85 per reel a few years ago. (Years go by fast.) Another reel option is the Abu Garcia 6500C3. It is about the same quality as the Corvalus, but has a button release instead of a bar release. It is also about the same cost as the Corvalus. You might check them both out. Make sure you have a big enough net. You don't want to hand-boat an enraged ski. |
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Posts: 582
| i would stick with a "heavy" rating in fast or medium action. Preferrably "fast". But to each their own. But with a heavy action you should be able to throw bigger baits. Maybe even a XXH if you are going to have one "do it all" rod. |
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Posts: 994
Location: Minnesota: where it's tough to be a sportsfan! | I do not have one of the Tackle Industries rods but have looked at a buddies, and would say for 110 they are a great buy. I do have several Innovations from Reaction Strike and am very happy with them. Both of these I consider good values. I use allot of 6500 C-4's Garcia's for reels. I think you could get by with the 5600 long enough to budget into a good rod, and get a different reel after you think the 5600 isn't cutting it anymore. I would not say the 5600 needs to be replaced. Run a good 80-100lb. braid, on a good rod and you'll be set. |
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Posts: 908
Location: South-Central PA | Newbie, if your budget jumped to $100 go another $10 and get a rod from Tackle Industries. I personally haven't used one but alot of guys love them. Your other option would be to find something used. I prefer to buy rods new- that way I know how they've been treated.
jeremy |
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| Some good options listed.
I highly recommend before you buy you hold/touch a few and even better try a few out if possible. Forums are a great place to get advise, but everyone has different preferences. Above all, the rod has to have the right "feel" for you or you're just not going to be happy and probably will have a tough time with your presentations...Whether it is $50 or $150 you want to get it right. |
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Posts: 512
Location: Appleton | The other option that nobody has mentioned yet is Black River Rods. Great rods, Great price. Worth checking into.
http://blackriverrods.com/ |
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Location: Northern Wisconsin | You can find a nice rod in that range at gander. The gander by my house currently has several muskie rods on sale... 7'6" Im8 musky rod for 50 bucks is a great deal. |
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