|
|
| I got back from Florida where I spent a couple days in Charlotte Harbor catching Snook, Redfish, a few small Tarpon, Grouper, and a few others. As much as I love our beloved Muskellunge - from fight standpoint - they take a backseat and don't compare to those saltwater fish.
Interesting that we used all spinning gear and it got me thinking - why not use spinning gear in our pursuit of Muskie? Why (and I include myself in this group) do we primarily use baitcasting gear?
I'm going to break out some of my heavier spinning gear and give it a try? Any thoughts as to why or why not?
Backdraft
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 8842
| Not sure, except that I don't think spinning reels are meant to hold up to the rigors of casting big muskie lures. It sure ain't the fish. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1516
| I have to agree casting big lures with a spinning rod & reel doesn't work to well. I have a Musky Shop heavy spinning rod with a Stradic 400 and I couldn't cast a bulldawg very long or very far with it and burning double tens forget about it. Anyway thats my experience. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1086
| Muskies are FAR from the biggest fighting fish...even in the freshwater world. I'm not dissing the power of a nice musky, but it's not the king of the world. A spinning rod/reel setup can handle a muskie no problems as spinning rods and reels can be built/matched to similar strengths and designs as the casting gear, in regards to handling the power and fight of a musky. However, I will agree that the load, stress and torque that a big muskie baits would put on a spinning rod/reel setup, while casting, may be a challenge at certain bait sizes and weights.
Could be personal preferences too, to certain anglers, to have more control free-spooling a musky and that can't be done easily with a spinning reel....and I never did understand the whole concept and mechanics of back reeling with a spinning reel.
There's no set rules in musky fishing. It's all matter of opinion and personal preference. Heck...guys fish muskies all the time with fly rods and reels.... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 910
Location: South-Central VA | I use a spinning setup on a pretty regular basis to throw small crankbaits and safety pin style spinnerbaits. My rod is a custom 8'er from a Mudhole blank and the reel is a Pflueger President in size 40 with 40lb braid.
jeremy |
|
| |
|
| i have never try one,but i think it would be ok to use one at lake where a 40 is considered trophy and where small lure is not a option.i don't know if there is some quality spinning reel that can handle big twitch baits((10 inch plus)?it would be nice because when i am fishing for bass with cranks i highly prefer the feeling of a spinning reel over a baitcast,i assume it must be the same thing with bigger lures?? |
|
| |
|
| I fish a lot of the same water that Jeremy does... and a good portion of my musky fishing is done with spinning reel as well--especially in the cold water season--when fishing from the bank with jigs and plastics and smaller cranks.
Last year I started using a stradic fj 5000 and love it for this purpose. I think one of the best things about spinning is it's a lot easier to keep your hands warm in cold water, and it's way easier to make controlled casts in tight quarters. Smaller baits in summer season work great as well, can really burn smaller bucktails b/c of the fast line pickup. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 797
Location: North Central IL USA | I never had any desire to try spinning tackle for Muskie fishing and doubt I ever will. A spinning reel and 6 pound test is great for finesse bass fishing though.  |
|
| |
|
Posts: 755
| It works just fine if you have the right gear. I too have caught a number of Tarpon over the years on spinning tackle so that got me thinking last year about a spinning rod. I have a dynamite custom Spinning Rod that is built on a 7' 11 St Croix Legend Flipping Stick Blank that is kicked out to 8 feet. Frank (from Franks Custom's Rods) did a masterful job listening to me and creating this rod. I have a 4000 Sustain Spooled with either 50 LBS or 20 LBS Superline on it and I use it for swimming Jigs with plastic bodies as well as smaller glide baits mostly but it is awesome for other things too. It does a great job and its nice to give the right hand a break from cranking some times as well so it serves a couple of great purposes. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 32935
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I use spinning tackle for muskies and always have. Creatures. Never an issue. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | I would recommend thinking saltwater spinning reels and saltwater in-shore or surf rods. Saltwater reels are built a whole lot stronger than their freshwater counter-parts. Larger gears, heavier and smoother drags and you get more bang for the buck. There are a number of not-to-big saltwater spinning reels that will easily handle the largest Muskies. The key is to find one with instant anti-reverse, at least 8 bearings, and enough capacity to hold the line. As for rods, there are a number of graphite rods available that can handle big lures.
Here a couple of links:
An inexpensive saltwater spinning reel with 4.5 gear ratio:. The SS-40 or SS-50 are good reels and relatively inexpensive.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Saltwater-Fishing/Saltwater-...
Matching rod that go up to 7'9" and rated to 3 oz:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Saltwater-Fishing/Saltwater-...
A few good surf rods for heavier lures:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Saltwater-Fishing/Saltwater-...
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Saltwater-Fishing/Saltwater-...
Good luck. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3
| I fish offshore for yellowfin tuna, tarpon, amberjack, etc. almost exclusively with spinning gear. Mostly casting swimbaits or poppers or vertical jigging. I've caught numerous fish excess of 150 lbs on spinners so I doubt muskies would be an issue.
In fact, I'm flying to LotW this weekend for a trip and only taking a Stella SW 10000, and a couple Saragosa 8000s. |
|
| |
|
| What advantage does a spinning combo give over a baitcasting combo? I throw small lures fairly often, but I use a flipping stick and 50lb braid. I always felt a spinning rod was made for light line and light lures. That seems practical for bass when I drop down in line size to 6lb to 8lb and use lures less than 1/4 oz. I don't understand why they're better than baitcasters for certain applications. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3
| For long casting (100yds+) in windy conditions like offshore most of the time spinners are a lot better than bait casters. In fact, offshore guys who cast swimbaits and poppers for large fish all use the heavy duty spinners. Only rarely see someone using a calcutta or similar reel.
Other than that it's mostly personal preference. I've always preferred jigging with a spinner, both fresh and saltwater. Don't think its "better" than a conventional or baitcaster, just like the feel of it. |
|
| |
