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Posts: 22
| Hey guys, I’m thinking about getting into the trolling game for muskies. I was wondering if anyone could give me their thoughts on reels you prefer and rod size and power you prefer. I was looking at the shimano tekota-a (not sure if I would get the 500 or 600 series)? I have 2 st.croix premier 8’6”xh and 2 8’6”heavy, would either of those be ok, or should I look into something different? Thanks for any input! |
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Posts: 2269
Location: SE, WI. | Love the Tekota 500LC !!! Perfect reel for musky trolling. Reliable, and built to last! Only letdown of the older Tekota is a quieter clicker, that I can live with. 600 imo, a tad large/overkill for skis. The new Tekota’s supposedly has a louder clicker, But hear the gear ratio is higher. Not sure I want that. As far as Rods go. I have customs made from the E-glass blanks . Heavy action is ok, but proper bend is most important when trolling. JD |
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| im whit jd on that |
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Posts: 112
| Yeah, tekota is the way to go for sure. Have the old model and the new model, and honestly prefer the old one. Prefer the old lower ratio for bigger baits, but new one is fine.
Rod-wise, I'd recommend just getting a 8ft heavy TDR, very versatile. If you're dead set on only fishing big baits, then the Denali Bottom Feeder 8' Heavy is an amazing value. Much cheaper than other high-end trolling rods, but still has the big stainless guides I like, and a long foregrip for getting leverage.
-JJ |
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| my best tekota is the 600lc and my best rod is the shimano technium that is finally avaiable in usa,i also enjoy okuma battlecat,no trigger and nice ss guides. jj im curious which tdr model is that ? |
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Posts: 112
| The TDR I've been using is their older one, I think Shimano redesigned their TDR trolling lineup this year or so. The one I've been using is the TDR80H2B. Good cheaper rod, not incredible or anything but for the price it loads up good with a wide range of cranks. And one thing to note is that the Denali I mentioned has a trigger, which seems some folks don't like. But man, really love all the components on that Denali. |
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Posts: 483
| just grind it off ! i may try this denali
rod , is it two piece ? |
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Posts: 112
| Nah, it's a once piece. I really like it for running big baits like a headlocks/mattlocks/liplocks/14" jakes (about the smallest thing I would run on it is a 10" jake), but it's too stiff for running small stuff. TDR is more versatile, but the denali is great for big stuff. |
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| if you want something really robust have a look a these rod. ive tried one of them and ive been really impressed .but these mofo don'T want to sell up north in can. https://catchthefever.com/product/big-cat-fever-heavy-rod-series/
and they got no #*^@ trigger and they got indestructible ss guides. rod that will last life time for sure |
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Posts: 483
| joh10891 - 11/16/2019 11:04 AM
Nah, it's a once piece. I really like it for running big baits like a headlocks/mattlocks/liplocks/14" jakes (about the smallest thing I would run on it is a 10" jake), but it's too stiff for running small stuff. TDR is more versatile, but the denali is great for big stuff.
thanks shipping to canada is too costly for one piece |
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| dan getshimano technium ,valleyfield store could order it.but it's 200 but it will handle all lure and all fish whit ease .it'S for frazer river white sturgeon |
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Posts: 483
| i already have a couple i like ok but will check out technium but a its costly ,easy to get shimano everywhere , thanks super . |
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Posts: 61
| The 700s are far superior over 5 and 600, completely different reel the 700s are winches. Incredible difference. Reeling in big cranks and Bucktails with a decent amount of line out when say running boards no comparison between them. Pair them up with ugly stik tigers killer combo |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | For inline boards boards especially if you run big TX44's the Tekota 7000's are the gold standard. But if your on a budget don't sell Okuma Convectors short lots of big muskies and salmon have been tamed with Convectors. |
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| beware new tiger got different guides. but the original model was awesome rod |
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Location: 31 | X2 on the Shimano 700 being far superior to the 600, they are the new gold standard IMHO as well.
Line capacity, weak clicker, and needing more power with the advent of the larger boards is why I switched from the Shimano 600s. |
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Posts: 489
Location: Northern Illinois |
I agree supertroller. Too bad because you're right, the original was great trolling rod. I bought 2 of the newer models and sent them back when I saw the guides. |
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| the art of ruining something perfect minus the color lol .their rod really deserve to be called ugly when the rod color is like poop hehe. give a try to battle cat ,no trigger big ss guides like we love just a lil bit more flexible than the tigger. 2 piece but the removable part is just in from of the reel seat .if you don't twist good luck to removed it from there.really solid rod |
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Posts: 28
| When did the tiger rods get different guides supertrollr? I've had great luck with those rods with no issues. Personally I've ran into issues with the tdr rods. I've had handles come apart and lots of guide issues, which is what made me switch to all tiger rods in my boat for trolling. |
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| not so sure maybe a year ..... older guides look like this https://www.bigfishsports.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=PUR-BWC...
newer https://dks.scene7.com/is/image/GolfGalaxy/USTEJG50100C63_NOCOLOR_DE...
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Location: Vilas | IVe got a year on the Penn Fathom II linecounter reels... Im happy with them, good solid reel, easy to maintain, clicker could be abit louder tho.
Ive caught over 200 fish on the Shimano TDR rods in the past and they are a good cheap rod, but not very good for larger baits. Now Ive switched to the St Croix Mojo trolling rods, 9` hvy and are very happy with them |
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Posts: 1516
| Why isn’t the TDR rod very good for larger baits? |
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Location: Northern Illinois | The TDR acts like a noodle plus it's a 2 piece rod. |
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