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Posts: 12
| First off I am new to the forum and new to muskies so I would just like to say Hi.
I am looking to buy my first rod and just had some questions. I would like to be able to throw some heavy baits as well as some top water and crank baits etc....
I was wondering what lenght would suit me best for an all around rod and also if say a 3-6 oz. rod would be all right for a lighter bait or not. Thanks. |
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| Got a Gander Mt nearby? If so you might be able to get their new Pro Select Guide Series musky rods for 30% off $80. If you really wanna toss 3-6 oz baits for starters I'd get the 8'6" version. Even at the regular price this rod is tough to beat. Especially with their great replacement policy. |
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Posts: 1184
Location: Iowa Great Lakes | Take a look at Tackle Industries rods, he has all the bases covered and offers a quality product for a great price. For big rubber like Mag Dawgs, Super D's 13oz Curlie Sues I use the XH, I think the H would make a great rod for anything lighter. I compare these rods to my high end Throne Brothers custom Predator. |
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Posts: 4343
Location: Smith Creek | I'd go with St. Croix Premier, 7 1/2 or 8 foot in a heavy (PM76HF or PM80HF) should be able to throw baits from 1.5 to 7 oz. 5 year warranty, made in Wisconsin. |
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Posts: 82
Location: Minneapolis,Mn | I second, Tackle Industries Rods, plus with the two handles, you have better variety of baits you can throw! Give James a call, you will not be disapointed. The XH 8'6"- 9'0" rated at 3-12 oz for $100.00 is hard to beat!
Edited by sbro73 1/8/2010 9:25 AM
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Posts: 167
Location: Ontario | I put another vote for Tackle Industries. Great rods for great prices and James has been great to work with. The 2 handles make one rod into 2....its like magic 
Edited by Matty 1/8/2010 11:42 AM
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Posts: 1425
Location: St. Lawrence River | St Croix premier, or Triumph, heavy action 8'. Youll be able to sling a few heavier baits as well as smaller cranks and topwaters. |
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Posts: 133
Location: Wausau, WI | Tooth Tamer makes a 7'6" Heavy and Extra Heavy that will suit this exact application. There is one rod that I use every single time on the water and it is the 7'6" Tooth Tamer.
Edited by brandondunbar 1/12/2010 8:22 PM
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Location: Des Moines IA | Lots of great rods out there, but as far as warranties go, Okuma offers a lifetime warranty, is very affordable, has awesome customer service, and has a couple of rods that would do what you are asking. I would say the 8'6 XH is their best all around rod. It won't throw pounders as well as their 9'3 XH does, but it will throw mag dawgs, big bucktails, most cranks, and top water very well. The telescopic handle makes for easy storage as well. Check out their EVX series.
www.okuma.com
Edited by MuskieMike 1/12/2010 8:35 PM
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Posts: 156
| Pete Mainia Sig Series rods are on closeout at Bass Pro. Fished with the 7' rod last year. Picked up a new 8' one this weekend as Bass Pro for $55 (down from around $100)! They are in very short supply in the desireable lengths though so phone first before you drive to Bass Pro. My 8' was the last longer rod on the shelf - 6'6" and 7'2" were the only ones left at Bolingbrook.
I bought the 8' because after my first year of musky fishin I felt the 7' was too short. Everyone online was recommending longer rods and I didn't listen. The 7' rod looked HUGE to me in the store. Should have listened to their advice and started with a longer rod.
Edited by Makintrax73 1/12/2010 8:45 PM
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| Lots of good rods out there that are affordable. I have a couple customs, Croixs, Pete Mainas, but the Gander Rod described above, the 8'6", is IMO the perfect rod. You just can't beat it for the value and the range of baits you're able to throw. It's fast enough for topwaters and bucktails, has the backbone to heave the rubber, and a solid, yet forgiving action on the hookset with plastic that some of the faster rods don't. I threw my Gander Rod 90% of the time last year and my next few rod purchases will be the Gander Series.
Only con is that it's a tad heavier than your Croixs and some others, but when we're heaving big rubber and big bucktails I don't see what difference a couple ounces in rod weight makes at all. |
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | I'm with Brandon on this one. The 7'6" hvy Tooth Tamer is a great all around/starter rod. I personally prefer a longer rod(8'+), but I have adjusted my lure working procedure to accomodate longer rods, which afford better hooksets, easier casting and figure 8's. Take a look at the Tooth Tamer line-up and you will like the toughness, lightweight nature, and price($139.99-$149.99 retail). Bottom line though, you will be happy later, if you start with something in the 7'6" range or longer. Good luck!! |
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Posts: 582
| If you want to stay cheap but still have a good rod, i will also say check out the gander rods. I used to use them alot and still have 3 that i use on occasion. They are solid, reasonably priced rods that do the job. I would suggest a 7'6" or 8' (better) heavy fast action rod. It will cost you about $90 for a gander, $160 for a St Croix, and about $125 for tooth tamer/okuma etc.... If you want to step up, i would look at the okuma 8' or the Tackle industries rods. The SC's are nice but just cost more. I have a few of those too and they don't catch fish any differently than all my other rods. |
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Posts: 202
| I second the Tooth Tamer Rods and recommend 8 foot hvy action. You will be able to cast just about every bait within reason.
Captain Doug Kloet
http://www.dougkloet.com |
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