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| Mark H. put up a post to sworrall about getting a creature rod at one of the shows, what is a good creature rod? I would like to know whats out there under 100.00 and over 100.00 both spinning and casting. |
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| I would use spinning for most muskie creature applications only because the hook set/weed popping and overall ease of use is better. I use a heavy action or medium heavy action IM6 or IM8 spinning rod designed for bass fishing and a high speed retrieve reel. I prefer monofilament line on my creature outfit because I miss too many using superlines, so the reel needs to spool 100 yards of 14# or 17#. There are many outfits out there that fit the bill for under $100 total, including a spool of line. |
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| David...
Sworrall, Muskyone, myself and few others use rods that could best be described as "heavy" bass tackle or "flippin sticks".
Worrall likes spinning rods in 7-7'6" MH action.
Muskyone uses baitcaisting gear.
I use baitcasting gear as well for both jigs and swimming creatures.
Probably one of the finest creature rods I've seen is one Jason Smith has on a Lamiglass blank. I think it's custom but you you could ask him for length and rod blank specs.
I have found that a good inexpesive rod for creatures is Gander Mountains IM7 Guide Series in 7'6" if you want something in traditional musky weight tackle.
Go to the articles page and read Worralls article, "Creatures on the stones" and you will get a little more info.
Best,
Curly |
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| LOL...
Worrall posted reply while I was typing...[:bigsmile:] |
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| When you use mono line for creatures I assume you do not use a leader, but what about bite offs? |
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| Great articles.
I started fishing large tube baits last year in pursuit of Tigers. This year, I've already gotten some "Swimbaits" to try and am really looking forward to trying them out.
This is my equipment: I have a Shimano Stradic 4000 reel. This is mounted on a seven foot "Gator" (custom built St. Croix from a rod builder in Florida). The rod is a bit heavier with more backbone than a worm/lizard rod. I just got some 17# Iron Silk line to try out. A sevenstrand leader will be used also.
Any comments on this outfit? Is it suitable for this purpose.
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| If you are using casting tackle, move to spinning. Use 7 srtrand leaders, about a foot long or so. Sharpen that hook like a hypo, and make sure the gap on the hook is correct. If you can set the hook point and hook eye against your palm and move the hook point forward without immediately hooking your skin, the hook gap is closed. If that is the case , get some jigs designed for creaturres with at least a 5/0 size and a good gap. |
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| What strength 7 strand do you use? |
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| David,
I use a Diawa Heartland S spinning rod (59.95 at R&H), good for 1/2 - 2 oz. Then I have a larger diawa reel. I normally use a Porky Jig, which has the 7 strand already attached. I believe it is 90 lbs. test. I am not certain on that.
Lance |
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| David...
I am not in a professional enough position to debate Worrall using 7 strand, he is the creature king, it cuts weeds great when you need to "pop" it.
I prefer to use .013-.019 solid strand, depending on jig head size and what I'm doing with it. I tie/twist the ends instead of crimping them and then heat shrink over that to make them almost totally weedless.
I don't have confidence in 7 strand not getting bit off and I don't want to trust crimp sleeves.
NUT>>>>
What worrall says about the hooks I agree with, they gotta be the right size, bend in the shank and harpoon sharp.
Where's M1..? What do ya think Mike...?
Curly |
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| Can we get a picture of a creature rod and set up please! |
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| Where is best place to purchase them?0723 |
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| Anyone ever tried the fig rig creature rod?
MJB |
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| Well here goes Curly. You know that I tend to over analyze this stuff because I have been at it for awhile now. As most of you know by now I fish a Jig a little differently than Worrall. I use baitcast gear and fish slower than most. I use a variety of jigs including the Porky jig which I designed for Odessey Lures. I use a 7' 6" Loomis Flippin Stick with a Shimano Curado reel and 65 # Tuff XP. I go with a uncoated 45# 7 strand leader when in the weeds or swimming my jig as I feel that this gives the bait better action. I double crimp all my 7 strand leaders and put a piece of shrink tube over each crimp to cover up any sharp edges and to help the leader slip through the weeds. Not as many sharp edges and corners to catch on the weeds. When "draggin" the bottom on the rocks I like a solid strand leader to help keep my line and knot off the rocks. Just seems to work good this way. The newest jigs I use now have 6/0 and 7/0 hooks. You need to have a little horsepower when setting this size hook when the fish has a good grip on the lure as they do when you fish a jig slow like I do. Most of the time one good hard set is sufficient. However, if you don't feel the fish shake its head you probably do not have it hooked. My best season on a jig I landed 46 legal fish. Lost approx. 8 on a jig that season. It's been a great tool for me and accounts for at least half of my total catch every season. I don't know if this will help but it sure works for me. I told you that I tend to over think all this stuff. Winters are long in Wisconsin. I think I'll go leader up a couple jigs. Nothin' else to do. |
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| I use 7 strand all the time, with all my plastics. I single crimp the leader using the serrated flat of a set of good lineman's pliers, not a leader crimping tool. I have never had a failure, ever. I use the 60#, and that, in my opinion, is why. The heavier wire doesn't flex as well, and breaks off at the sleeve where the most stress is exerted while popping weeds.
Here is a curve ball--
One of my favorite creature rods is a medium light IM6 Kevin Kraft spinning rod by Aurora, with the Fuji TI overwrapped guides. It is a WONDERFUL outfit for 14# mono, and sets the hook like a hammer. Most would dismiss it as too light, but it whips a 45"fish in a couple minutes. The important feature of any good creature rod is how it loads up on the hookset, as there is lots of weed popping going on. That also is why I use spinning tackle most of the time, as popping weeds with the wrist turned for spinning is easier than the same for casting, on my old wrists. This rod breaks weeds and sets the hook like it is charged up.
Look for a fast taper from a substantial butt section, and a rod that is built well and will handle the selection of jigs you use, with a solid foregrip to hold the rod in the right place. Don't worry about cost, worry about the rod loading up well, and feeling good in your hand. Hold the rod ahead of the reel where the outfit balances; the only reason the reel seat/body bar is there is to hold the reel to the rod. That is the WORST place to hold the outfit, hold it forward of the reel. That way, the rod and reel will be balanced, and will allow for rocket hook sets and little fatigue.
Another curve--
Learn to fish left handed. Both my sons did, and neither is. Reason for this is then, holding the rod forward, I rest my index finger on the line which falls on my fingertip due to rotation of the bail after every reel rotation sequence, and can feel a fish take the jig before it actually has the thing. With superlines, I have to delay the instinctive hookset, and I am lousy at that, so I litreally take the thing away from the fish too much. |
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| Wow Steve, I gotta say that was definatly worth the read! I guess old dogs can learn new tricks(curves) Thanx alot! Handy
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| Awesome info!!I use 2 different outfits for jigs. I use a Loomis SJR844 with a 4000 Shimano Sustain for stuff around 1/2 oz.-5/8 oz.(mostly Flaptail lizards ). For heavier stuff 1oz.and up,I'm throwin' a Loomis flippin' stick FSR 906x with a 5600 Morrum. Been using Yo-Zuri Hybrid for all my "mono" needs for 2yrs. now and absolutely love it.Lots of great heads out there too. Cobra from Bait Rigs and my personal favorite JACKS. These heads are made with a Gaelic Supreme 6/0 hook that is awesome.Yes, I am a tackle junkie!Thanks to sworrall and m-1 for the info. Steve |
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| mjb....
I have several "figs" used one creature rod last season and broke it on the hookset the second time I used it. He had a few bad blanks.
I had it done in casting style and put a Garcia 4600-C4 on it. 6.3:1 high speed ratio is what you want.
Also had him tie me one in a spinning set up, he had so many orders he forgot who it was for and it sat in his shop all last fall...hehe.. I'll have it for this spring.
I have not used "Figs" creature rod enough to give you a honest opinion. Kevin makes great rods so if it isn't what I want for creatures it will be used for light bucktails and small cranks.
Call me around the end of June and I'll have a better opinion for you on what I think of it as an actual creature/jig rod.
Best,
Curly |
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| I really appreciate your response Mark.
Thanks,
MJB |
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| what type and size jig do you like to use in the spring?? |
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| Spring, I use 3/8-5/8oz swimmer style heads (wedge heads).
I also use some rigged with 6/0 hooks and virtually no head and tie single strand leader to hook. I allow the weight of the creature to create the "fall" and swim the jig through emerging weeds or timber.
Worrall's Dad invented one of the best jig heads ever...Muskyone designed the one sold by Odysea and they work pretty well.
The lighter weight heads 1/2 oz made by "Bait rigs" Esox Corbra Jigs are pretty decent jig sold on the market.
Curly |
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