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Posts: 109
| I've recently gotten some size 12 double bladed bucktails weighing in at 4 ounces. My current rod is rated to through 1-5 ounces, but I feel like my rod isn't quite heavy enough to throw them. I was thinking of getting an 8'11" chaos tackle assault stick rated for 3-10 ounces, but it says that they recommend the XXH assault stick or MOAB for size 10 bucktails. I was wondering what rod you guys think would be best because on an XXH assault stick or MOAB I wouldn't be able to throw much else. |
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| I don't throw #12 blades but something to consider is not just casting the lure but effectively doing figure 8s. A stiffer rod really helps with that on #10 bucktails. |
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Posts: 109
| North of 8 - 3/7/2023 2:29 PM
I don't throw #12 blades but something to consider is not just casting the lure but effectively doing figure 8s. A stiffer rod really helps with that on #10 bucktails.
Just reeling the bucktails in, it looked like I had a fish. I just don't know if a rod rated for 3 oz-10 oz is enough or if I really need to get the MOAB rated for 5-30 oz. |
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| Ratings on rods vary. I have a 9'6" Shield Series rod from the Musky Shop. It is rated XH, lure weight rating of 4-24oz. I like it a lot. Can toss double 10s with ease but also can throw single blade spinner baits that weigh less than 4 oz. The long rod works well for me, but everyone is different. I have an older Pro V tiller and casting from the front deck, I am fairly high above the water. |
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Posts: 109
| North of 8 - 3/7/2023 4:31 PM
Ratings on rods vary. I have a 9'6" Shield Series rod from the Musky Shop. It is rated XH, lure weight rating of 4-24oz. I like it a lot. Can toss double 10s with ease but also can throw single blade spinner baits that weigh less than 4 oz. The long rod works well for me, but everyone is different. I have an older Pro V tiller and casting from the front deck, I am fairly high above the water.
I'm just not sure if I should get a different rod because I'm worried I won't be able to use it for much else since it would be rated for such heavy lures. |
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| PennsylvaniaMuskie - 3/7/2023 6:18 PM
North of 8 - 3/7/2023 4:31 PM
Ratings on rods vary. I have a 9'6" Shield Series rod from the Musky Shop. It is rated XH, lure weight rating of 4-24oz. I like it a lot. Can toss double 10s with ease but also can throw single blade spinner baits that weigh less than 4 oz. The long rod works well for me, but everyone is different. I have an older Pro V tiller and casting from the front deck, I am fairly high above the water.
I'm just not sure if I should get a different rod because I'm worried I won't be able to use it for much else since it would be rated for such heavy lures.
Again, the Shield rod has a wide range of lure weights. Not many baits lighter than a standard, single blade spinner bait like the Bucher Slopmaster, which I have thrown with that rod. |
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Posts: 532
Location: NW WI | If Chaos is what u want than get the SWAT. Bucktails aren't so much much about casting in respect to ounces and ratings as is about the 8 and not havin your tip cranked over trying to reel it in. Granted some tip flick is nice for smaller blades.
I think your going to be surprised what you can throw with it, you'll be able to throw nearly everything you listed in your other post. Paired with a good reel and knowing how to adjust your breaks,tensioner, and thumb-you'll be set.The MOAB is more or less exclusive ly designed for ripping Medussas, a little too heavy and specific for what you got going on right now in my opinion. |
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Posts: 109
| 7.62xJay - 3/7/2023 6:51 PM
If Chaos is what u want than get the SWAT. Bucktails aren't so much much about casting in respect to ounces and ratings as is about the 8 and not havin your tip cranked over trying to reel it in. Granted some tip flick is nice for smaller blades.
I think your going to be surprised what you can throw with it, you'll be able to throw nearly everything you listed in your other post. Paired with a good reel and knowing how to adjust your breaks,tensioner, and thumb-you'll be set.The MOAB is more or less exclusive ly designed for ripping Medussas, a little too heavy and specific for what you got going on right now in my opinion.
Do you think the one rated for 3-10 ounces will be good enough? It says it isn't meant for large bucktails. |
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Posts: 1722
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | No way with direction changes to trigger fish I would throw a swat rod for double 12’s. If chaos is your choice, size up to the shock n awe. The 2020 rods are not as stiff as the OG green models that share the same name.
I use a XH predator for 10’s and 12’a. My big nasty is not stiff enough in the 8 for 12’s. |
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Posts: 109
| RyanJoz - 3/7/2023 11:58 PM
No way with direction changes to trigger fish I would throw a swat rod for double 12’s. If chaos is your choice, size up to the shock n awe. The 2020 rods are not as stiff as the OG green models that share the same name.
I use a XH predator for 10’s and 12’a. My big nasty is not stiff enough in the 8 for 12’s.
Even though the shock and awes are rated for heavier lures 4-24 ounces, thry could still throw 2-3 ounces? |
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Posts: 532
Location: NW WI | RyanJoz - 3/7/2023 11:58 PM
No way with direction changes to trigger fish I would throw a swat rod for double 12’s. If chaos is your choice, size up to the shock n awe. The 2020 rods are not as stiff as the OG green models that share the same name.
I use a XH predator for 10’s and 12’a. My big nasty is not stiff enough in the 8 for 12’s.
Idk, I don't have a problem turning even my willow beast,13-10, or a Hurricane with it. Would a stiffer rod by better? heck yeah! but it works. You also gotta understand the O.P. is a young college aged fella looking for his first rod that mostly shore fishes. My decision has that and his current baits in mind. Not just the strict answer to his question. |
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Posts: 109
| 7.62xJay - 3/8/2023 8:09 AM
RyanJoz - 3/7/2023 11:58 PM
No way with direction changes to trigger fish I would throw a swat rod for double 12’s. If chaos is your choice, size up to the shock n awe. The 2020 rods are not as stiff as the OG green models that share the same name.
I use a XH predator for 10’s and 12’a. My big nasty is not stiff enough in the 8 for 12’s.
Idk, I don't have a problem turning even my willow beast,13-10, or a Hurricane with it. Would a stiffer rod by better? heck yeah! but it works. You also gotta understand the O.P. is a young college aged fella looking for his first rod that mostly shore fishes. My decision has that and his current baits in mind. Not just the strict answer to his question.
Thank you for taking that into consideration. I'm pretty new to muskie fishing and everyone near me goes for bass or trout so I don't have anyone else to really ask. I just feel like my Dobyns casting rod isn't quite cutting it for my larger crankbaits and bucktails. It's rated for up to 5 ounces, but my 4 ounce double 12s put a serious bend in it so I'm worried that my Dobyns can't cast them very well. If I get a SWAT, I'm worried I won't be able to cast a lot of my glidebaits and small rubbers that are 2-4 ounces. |
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| For someone looking for a solid but affordable rod, I would look at the Okuma EVX-B rods from Musky Shop. XH rod is rated at 4-12 oz, available in either split or full grip, telescoping for ease of transport. $129 plus shipping. I have several Okuma rods and they are good rods, little heavier than more expensive rods but good warranty and very affordable. |
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Posts: 1270
Location: E. Tenn | North of 8 - 3/8/2023 10:39 AM
For someone looking for a solid but affordable rod, I would look at the Okuma EVX-B rods from Musky Shop. XH rod is rated at 4-12 oz, available in either split or full grip, telescoping for ease of transport. $129 plus shipping. I have several Okuma rods and they are good rods, little heavier than more expensive rods but good warranty and very affordable.
Can't beat them for the price, and the XH is what I used when I first started throwing big bucktails. |
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Posts: 15
Location: Chardon, Ohio | As already stated the Okuma EVX is a decent rod for the money. I have a EVX Heavy 9’3” split grip rated 2-10 oz. I also have 2 of Okuma’s full grip SCT Musky rods, a 8’6” XH 4-12oz & 9’3” XH 4-16oz. The SCT rods ran about $60 more than the EVX but I have not seen them for sale recently. They are a little heavier then the St Croix rods I have. |
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Posts: 1141
Location: NorthCentral WI | I agree the Okuma EVX is a good rod for the price. Get yourself an XH and call it a day. On another note, double 12's are completely unnecessary in my opinion. Especially if you're just starting out and looking for your first muskie. Forget about the giant bucktails and get yourself a couple Bucher 700s or Double Showgirls at most. Good luck! |
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Location: Contrarian Island | I've used a 9' big nasty for blades since they came out for the most part. Great rods for em and can handle 12s for sure. |
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Posts: 1288
| Another vote for the Okuma EVX, for your purposes. In fact, unless you just have money you don't know what to do with, I would recommend not getting a St. Croix. This is because, as you stated, you are new to muskie fishing, and young. The Okuma will do everything you need it to do, is durable, collapsible, and doesn't cost a lot. Wait to upgrade to a St. Croix or Thorne Bros. until you have had 2 or 3 rods for a handful of years, and know in your own mind, what you want to spend bigger coin on. |
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Posts: 224
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota | I have one of the 10’ 2020 shock and awe’s and mostly use it for blades. If you are going to be throwing any bucktail with much resistance than you want a heavy rod to 8 correctly. No way I’d throw 12s on that light of a rod, the 10 shock and awe even feels a little light for the supermodels I threw on it |
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Posts: 945
| Try the Musky Innovations Pro Series 9'6"XH or 9' XH I have thrown big blades on both of these and they have been great. Good price point also.
Jeff Hanson
madisonmuskyguide.com |
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Posts: 420
Location: MN | I throw 12s a lot and have gone back and forth on the rod power. The 3-10 oz rod types are usually lighter, load more casting, and I think keep fish pinned a little better boatside. The heavier rods with ratings like 6-16 oz that you might use for big rubber flex less in the figure 8 and it feels like you have a bit more control.
I think both rod classes work pretty well, but I have a slight preference for the lighter rod, and currently use a TI 10' XH (rated 2-8 oz). If going with a higher end (lighter) rod that should be versatile, I'd probably lean more on the heavier side so you can use it with big rubber. |
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Posts: 109
| nar160 - 3/13/2023 11:30 AM
I throw 12s a lot and have gone back and forth on the rod power. The 3-10 oz rod types are usually lighter, load more casting, and I think keep fish pinned a little better boatside. The heavier rods with ratings like 6-16 oz that you might use for big rubber flex less in the figure 8 and it feels like you have a bit more control.
I think both rod classes work pretty well, but I have a slight preference for the lighter rod, and currently use a TI 10' XH (rated 2-8 oz). If going with a higher end (lighter) rod that should be versatile, I'd probably lean more on the heavier side so you can use it with big rubber.
I've since gotten a chaos tackle assault stick XH (3-10 oz) and I've been using that to throw my bucktails. It casts just fine, but I have a tough time doing figure 8s, not sure if this is a huge deal or not. I just bought several more and I'm gonna try them out (some 8/9s, 9/10s, a 10/13, a triple bladed 8, etc.) |
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| Bought a Shield rod from the Musky Shop, 9'6", XH that the salesman recommende for bucktails. Works great for big blades, but also works well with smaller bucktails and even modest sized safety pin style spinners. The way it works with smaller baits was a bit of surprise. |
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Posts: 420
Location: MN | PennsylvaniaMuskie - 12/19/2023 11:50 AM
nar160 - 3/13/2023 11:30 AM
I throw 12s a lot and have gone back and forth on the rod power. The 3-10 oz rod types are usually lighter, load more casting, and I think keep fish pinned a little better boatside. The heavier rods with ratings like 6-16 oz that you might use for big rubber flex less in the figure 8 and it feels like you have a bit more control.
I think both rod classes work pretty well, but I have a slight preference for the lighter rod, and currently use a TI 10' XH (rated 2-8 oz). If going with a higher end (lighter) rod that should be versatile, I'd probably lean more on the heavier side so you can use it with big rubber.
I've since gotten a chaos tackle assault stick XH (3-10 oz ) and I've been using that to throw my bucktails. It casts just fine, but I have a tough time doing figure 8s, not sure if this is a huge deal or not. I just bought several more and I'm gonna try them out (some 8/9s, 9/10s, a 10/13, a triple bladed 8, etc. )
It sounds like you have at least partial "answer" then - you want something stiffer. The Chaos Shock & Awe would be the natural next step up in power from what you have.
FWIW, a season later, I still feel that way about TI XH vs. XXH. It sounds like, based on your experience and some comments in this thread, that the Chaos are little softer than their weight ratings might suggest. |
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Location: Canada | For my taste the Chaos XH is not stiff enough for figure 8s with a double 9. The rod is not as stiff in the tip as the TI XH. I'm trying out a Chaos XXH for blades next season. |
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Posts: 187
| The more I fish big blades the more I realize I don't want a pool cue for a rod. Upgraded to a 9'6 St.Croix SlingShot II from a Big Nasty the year before and it's night and day. That extra 6 inches really helps with figure 8's or loops at the boat and also helps keep those fish pinned that are hooked close. Kinda like steelheading with a 13ft rod and 4lb leader.. Let the rod do the work for you. Let alone the additional distance I get from the rod loading up when casting. New handle style takes a bit of getting used to but definitely reduces wrist fatigue (At least for me)
10ft rod is definitely in my future. |
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