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Posts: 1100
| I'm looking for a rod, that would handle smaller tubes and swimbaits, maybe spinnerbaits and small bucktails once in a while, but mainly the smaller kind of rubber baits in the 1.5-4oz range maybe sometimes 4.5 oz but nothing heaver.
Right now i'm using a 6.5 foot musky innovations 10oz rod (the rod i overrated) but i would like a lighter, longer and stiffer for this small stuff.
So i was considering the St. croix Legend tournament bass swimmbait rod, its rated for up to 1-4 oz, on knowing St. croix is not underrated.
I'm just wondering, if it's up to the task, of handling the 40" to 48 inch pikes (hopefully soon a 50") i'm targeting, and really get the hooks in there, on hooksets.
I would love to feel it in a shop, but the closest store here i Europe that have them is 450 miles away. I got plenty of rods for the heavy stuff so i'm really looking for light "finesse" rod dedicated to this task.
Do you guys think it would service my needs, or would a rod from the musky range be more fitted?
Tight lines from Denmark. |
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Posts: 537
Location: Gilberts IL/Rhinelander WI | I'd take a look at the "long ranger " from st Croix. |
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Posts: 668
Location: mercer wi | The sling blade is best all around rod imo. Or any other stcroix in that rateing. Shimano is making a great rod now for another option. The bass rods aren't really rated for musky/big northern fishing. Lite tackle it would be alot of fun tho. I have mojo basd swimbait rod n is great for #5 mepps n 6" twichers but under rated for bigger baits. |
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Posts: 1100
| Also had my eyes on either the "lip stick" or the "top 'n tail", would like to stay between 7.5-8 foot.
@undave, as i mentioned i'm not looking for an all-round rod, i'm looking for a rod specific for the lighter stuff.
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Posts: 353
Location: Western U.P. | For what you are looking to do, either the Top n Tail or the Lip Stick would work fine. I own a Top n Tail, and have tried the Lip Stick that one of my fishing partners has. Both rods work well for the 2-4 oz range. If you consistently throw lures to the heavy side of that range, the Top n Tail would be a little (not a lot) overworked, and the Lip Stick may be the better choice. You can throw some pretty light lures with the Lip Stick. The mag Bass LT doesn't have enough handle for my personal preference, although the 1-4 oz rating is favorable. Another alternative to the LT's is the Abu Garcia Volatile rated for 3/4-4 oz lures (VOLC80-7), and also throws a 5 oz lure pretty easy. This isn't in the Musky line, but has the same handle. I bought one of these this past Spring to try with lighter Musky baits, and have used it quite a bit so far. It's matched to a NaCl50HS, and have caught 5 Muskies (up to 41") on that combo so far this season. Very happy with the Volatile, and would definitely recommend it for big Pike. Good Luck. |
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Posts: 1100
| Sounds like the top n tail is more what i'm looking for, i all ready have "the jerk" , and a "big dawg" and they are awesome rods :D
Would love to try some of the different volatile rods, played a bit with them in Reeds last year when we went to Minnesota, but unfortunately they aren't available in Europe.
Thanks, so far the biggest pike this year is 45.2 inch, still hunting the big one ;P |
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Posts: 537
Location: Gilberts IL/Rhinelander WI | You realize the long ranger is just a top n tail but 6" longer.
By far my favorite in the legend lineup. |
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Posts: 1100
| Yes i know, but as i said, i would like to stay between 7.5 to 8 foot, as i find it easier to work the baits in a subtle "jigging" motions when the rod isn't to long. That's why i was leaning toward the lip stick or top n tail. |
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Posts: 25
Location: Ham Lake, Minnesota | I really like my Top n' Tail with a full-cork handle extended to 19" for smaller baits. It's one of my favorite rods. |
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Posts: 4343
Location: Smith Creek | TBC710HF would have plenty of power for pike fishing. Guide size might be an issue, 100 lb braid might be a little much, plus no fore cork.
If your fishing some creatures and stuff that requires more sensitivity I'd go with the bass rod. If it's smaller rubber stuff and jerkbaits I'd go top n tail. |
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Posts: 667
Location: Wisconsin | I have a Top N Tail and use it quite a bit. Really enjoy using it now with bucktails. I have not thrown any smaller rubber baits as you have mentioned you would be doing, but the tip is fairly soft, but I am sure it would be fine on the lighter stuff you are targeting. It was my first really nice rod, and I used it for everything, as it was so much better than any other rod I owned. That was quite a while back, but now have other LT rods to fit specific needs. |
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Posts: 1100
| Thank you guys so much for all the feedback and information.
Right now i'm using these 4 setups as my main setups.
"Big Dawg" with a tranx, (big rubber/big blades/ big cranks)
MI 8 foot 10oz witch a calcutta 401D (spinnerbaits / cranks)
"the jerk" with a toro 51 (big gliders / 10-12 inch suicks)
MI 6'6" with a lexa 300hl (anything small) (just got the lexa before i used a calcutta conquest 401)
Someday the MI 8 foot is going to be replaced by a sling blade, so as you can see it's the light set up, that going to get an update right now.
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Posts: 667
Location: Wisconsin | Have a Slingblade and love it! Really nice all around rod for me. The LT series are so nice. I think you will really like the top n tail!
You are making me want another rod! |
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