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Posts: 12
| Ok, I am new to muskie fishing, haven't landed one yet but did some trolling for them last fall. I am set for trolling gear but would like to do some casting too. Right now, my budget will limit me to a single setup, which I hope to add to in the future (actually I'm sure I'll add:)
I was looking at the St Croix Mojo Musky and the Daiwa Lexa combo. I want as versatile a setup as I can get to throw as many different baits as possible on one outfit. What I'm looking for is advice on weight and action of the rod (looking 8' or 8'6") and model of reel. Open to other combo suggestions too. |
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Posts: 568
Location: Lake St Clair | What's your total budget?
I prefer the Tackle Industries 9' rod. 3-12oz. |
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Posts: 1405
Location: Detroit River | The Tackle Industries XH rod is a good all-around rod. Not sure how the Lexa will hold up but you can always buy a used Revo Toro or Curado. |
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Posts: 20231
Location: oswego, il | Well for the rod it depends on what you want to throw. If your throwing pounders you will need the heaviest action available. Even a double 10 will require a very heavy action. You wont be able to do it all with one combo but knowing what you plan on doing will help your decision. One piece of advise get the longest rod possible. |
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| Tackle Industry xh and a calcutta 400b |
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Posts: 12
| Total budget can't exceed $450. |
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Posts: 192
Location: Quebec, Canada | I see a LOT of really good used reels and rods being sold for not much at this time of the year. That could be a good option in having more quality for the same price as if it's in good shape, it will do a perfect job. If you plan on throwing some softplastic swimbaits and double 10s, I'd say you would be good with the STC mojo musky. I'd take the 4-10 (XH) though. You can combine it with a Shimano Curado 300E. I've seen that exact combo go for about $250 used, but in pretty good shape around here. My partner caught a nice 52.5'' without problem with that combo last year.
And I can't focus enough on the fact that thinking back, this is exactly what I told myself I should have done when I got myself into musky fishing, not exactly knowing what ''I'' was going to prefer to focus my efforts on. Instead of buying new, you buy used at 1st, that will save you some extra bucks and if you realize that you want a different combo for different lures, you might be able to get a 2nd set for close to the same price. |
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Posts: 177
Location: ON | For 450.
Shimano 400D, Revo 5.4 or Lexa. For Rod 8 or 8'6" H. Whatever you can find for 150, tons of options especially used.
A 9' is too big for a 1 only setup in my opinion.
Shop used, plenty of new stuff cheaper than retail on used forums
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Posts: 1000
| x3 on the TI 9' XH. Great value. I also have a Curado 300E on a 8'6" Mojo Musky. That's an excellent rod.
If I was going with one setup for $450 I'd buy the TI 9' XH full grip with one of these three:
Lexa 400 PWR
Calcutta 400D
Curado 300EJ
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Posts: 20231
Location: oswego, il | At 450 I would buy an xxh setup and heavy setup. I own over a dozen musky reels not one of them did I buy new. There are great used reel deals. Plenty of used rods too but you could pair up with a couple TI rods and stay in budget. |
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Posts: 243
Location: South Central Wisconsin | ToddM - 2/9/2014 8:30 PM
At 450 I would buy an xxh setup and heavy setup. I own over a dozen musky reels not one of them did I buy new. There are great used reel deals. Plenty of used rods too but you could pair up with a couple TI rods and stay in budget. I agree. Go a little cheaper on the rods and reels to start. Get a 7'6" heavy action rod with a highspeed reel and a 8'6"-9'+ XH rod with a low speed reel. The proper equipment, even though not top of the line will make the learning curve much easier. $450 should get you two combos if you look around. I know Okuma, Shimano, black river, and a few other companies make lower priced rods. |
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Posts: 219
| My advise: Buy a 8' Medium Heavy, Toothtamer Rod matched with a Abu 6500 or Record (with a power handle). This will handle pretty much anything you have (maybe not a Pounder, but Magdawgs yes...), at a good price...this will leave a few bucks for more baits too. People may question the reel...but I have won tournaments on them.... and caught a lot of Muskies on them, but they do wear out over time. I do own more expensive reels...but still throw Abu Records and 6500's. Best of Luck out there! |
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Posts: 13
| I only have 2 reels and they're both 400b's (both bought new...$220 or so for one, and the other for $180 on sale). Seems to handle everything I do (granted I'm not on the water nearly as much as I'd like to be). I have a St. Croix 7'6" (bought used $100) and a 9' TI XXH (new for $115). I'd like to get some more set ups for more specific applications, but these do all I need right now.
If I had to pick one, I'd go with the 9' rod. I'd spend more of the budget on a quality reel.
All these guys are giving great advice. Buy used...go longer vs. shorter on rods...etc. |
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Posts: 667
Location: Wisconsin | Get a quality used set up. With $450 you could get two very nice setups and cover most all your lures well, with the exception of pounders, which require more beef! If you throw a lot of rubber, than get a rig to do that. So, what do throw most?? More info will help us to be sure to suggest a set up that will do it well. |
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Posts: 12
| Well I'm new to this so...I have a few mag dawns and a few double cowgirls. I still have to round out my bait box so maybe suggestions in that area would help in this thread too. |
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Posts: 483
Location: NE PA | Bass pro has a close out on their 7'6" H/XH musky rods. You can pick one up for $60. Pair that with a lexa 300HS ($130 on ebay new) for jerks, gliders, ect. Then I would look on here for a used 8'6" extra heavy rod ($100) and pair that with a used saltist 20 ($100ish). The saltists seem to be almost bullet proof and are a very versatile reel. You can use that combo to burn big blades, toss mag dawgs, ect. JMO |
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | gumbygold - 2/9/2014 7:04 PM
Total budget can't exceed $450.
You might try out a custom TI rod from Tuscarora Tackle and you will still have enough money for a decent reel. JMO
James
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Posts: 12
| Went with a TI +Calcutta 400b. Now looking for the lighter,faster outfit. |
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Posts: 1084
Location: Aurora | Check the Quantum EXO 300 series reels.
None lighter.
TroooooooOO! |
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Posts: 1425
Location: St. Lawrence River | I'd be looking for a lightly used Revo Toro 60 5.4, they can be had at good prices on here.. For casting I LOVE a 8'6 LT Sling Blade.. I also like Musky Innovations sticks.. I have an 8'6 1.25-7oz MI rod that is fun to fish, Topwater, dbl 8's, crankbaits. And they aren't too expensive. |
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Posts: 109
| I bought a currado 300e 6,2:1 and paired it with a 8' abu volatile rod for topwater/jerks. Can't wait to try it |
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Posts: 360
| Xh ti rod with a basspro muskie angler reel |
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Posts: 152
| I second ToddM & Randy, but would get a medium speed reel on a Heavy action TI or Musky Innovations rod and a high speed on the XH if you plan on fishing a lot of rubber. Love my Musky Innovations rods and they are durable as all get out, have never heard a bad thing about TI either though! Check out the buy/sell forums here and on craigslist. I have seen some pretty good prices on these rods.
Even better, I believe the Operation Muskie auctions should be underway in about a month or so. Thats always a good opportunity to get some great values and help support veterans. |
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Posts: 146
Location: Alsip, IL | Musky innovations bulldawg pro series are on outlet bait and tackles website for 135 I believe with 5 dollar shipping. I have 3 mojo's and really they are a good rod for the price, but I really like my bulldawg rods. A couple more eyes on each one and they feel lighter and have way longer handles which I like. For that price I'd check em out. And as for Lexa reels. Best budget reel on the market I believe. I run all lexas and toros and have had no complaints. |
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Posts: 791
Location: WI | I would go with a gander guide series rod and a Abu c3 (silver) or shimano Cardiff. Should be about 200 total. You said you wanted to spend 400. Then you can get two. If you get the protection plan you pretty much have a lifetime warranty. Good starter set up. |
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Posts: 364
Location: Central Wisconsin | Trophyseeker50 - 3/8/2014 6:24 PM
I would go with a gander guide series rod and a Abu c3 (silver) or shimano Cardiff. Should be about 200 total. You said you wanted to spend 400. Then you can get two. If you get the protection plan you pretty much have a lifetime warranty. Good starter set up.
I have a Cardiff 400 and really like it. Great all around reel just don't expect to throw double 10s all day with it. |
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