|
|
Posts: 10
| Hey guys it is my first year of musky fishing. I am going to be competing in a high school musky tournament in june with my friend (3rd year musky fisherman). I wanted to get my own combo and decided on the shimano cardiff or maybe an abu for the reel but I am stuck on the rod. There are so many choices! I am wondering if you guys could give feedback about the TI rods, musky innovations, okuma evx and okuma big bait, gander series, cheaper st croix stuff, shimano compre, and anything else you can think of. I want something to throw big cranks like jakes, mid size blades, big spinnerbaits, suicks, topraiders, up to mag bulldawgs at the biggest, possibly bigger stuff later. Im looking at 7'6 and 8' in the 150 dollar ballpark range. Thanks for any responses. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 501
Location: S.Wisconsin | Look at the croix mojo series. They feel very nice for a lower end croix. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 165
Location: tHe LaKe Of PrIoR, mN | I have used the tackle industries since they came out I would get one of there x heavy rods 9' of your choice... I think it would be very versatile for a one and only rods. I have they're 7'6 mega heavy with the split grip that I only use for suckers or a friend rod and also a 9' telescopic mega heavy that I use for pounders and mag dawgs and some big crank casting, but I think it is to heavy for bucktails, smaller baits, jerk baits or wtd lures The x heavy would do most very well the mh would be a bit soft I feel for dawgs etc
having a 9' and some 7'6/8' If I had 1 rod I would make dang sure it was a 9' If storage is a issue I would get the telescoping 9' its only 7'6 closed when open you cant tell its a telescoping
later on for wtd jerk etc bait then buy a short rod if you feel the need I actually will use phantoms and suicks on a 9' sometimes |
|
| |
|
Posts: 98
| TI makes great rods. I have an 8' XH and and a 9' XXH. Love them. I also have a 7'6" St Croix Mojo for my jerkbaits and I really like that rod too. Cant go wrong with either and they're in your price range. TI would get my vote though. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 661
Location: Sussex, NJ | 9' TI XH was my first rod and I love it. Versatile well built and will handle exactly what you need. And very cost friendly |
|
| |
|
Posts: 908
Location: South-Central PA | Tackle Industries all the way.
jeremy |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1245
Location: Walker, MN | I like my Okuma a lot. I have heard nothing but good things about the T.I.'s. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 10
| Being a bass, walleye, pike fisherman it seems like 9' is kind of big. I know its common in musky fishing but are the 9' TI rods that much of an advantage over a 7'6 or 8' rod. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 10
| Masqui was it an evx musky or a big bait. Also to everyone else, do you like the TI split grips or full grips? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1660
Location: central Wisconsin | There is no way I would recommend a 9' rod as a first rod. I would keep my eye on the for sale area for a 7'6" St. Croix premier. You can always add more specific setups from there. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 173
Location: Green Bay, Titletown, WI | I bought a 9' TI xh telescopic split grip last season. Awesome rod. You can't tell it's telescopic. It has handled magnum bull dawgs extremely well, and will still do just fine throwing smaller buck tails. like crix said, it isn't the greatest for walk the dog top waters, but being your first year muskie fishing, you'll learn how to use the long rod for them and wont notice the difference. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 173
Location: Green Bay, Titletown, WI | You will really appreciate a 9' rod when it comes to your figure 8's. Not only for making bigger/wider 8's easier. But, hooking a fish at boat side, the extra leverage the long rod gives you is awesome. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 246
Location: Grand Marais, MN | Definitely think long and something you will enjoy having for years to come. that being said, since you probably also have to think about traveling safely with the rod, those two piece or telescoping Tackle industry rods would be tough to beat, and are definitely at a great value. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 98
| I like split grip unless you are throwing large rubber or cranks alot. I do a lot of really hard pulls and rips so if its split grip, it hits me in the ribs. Then I will use full cork. Otherwise though, split grip IMO is the best for anything else...If I were you I would look at a 9' XH telescopic TI rod! |
|
| |
|
| go t.i. xh and with the money you save spend that on the reel and upgrade to a revo toro 5.4:1. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 165
Location: tHe LaKe Of PrIoR, mN | MuskiesinMN - 3/14/2013 5:42 PM
Being a bass, walleye, pike fisherman it seems like 9' is kind of big. I know its common in musky fishing but are the 9' TI rods that much of an advantage over a 7'6 or 8' rod.
yes
As for the handle I would probably go with the full grip just for comfort for all baits like was mentioned working some baits will get your ribs which is why I prefer the full cork I tend to hold the rod tight under my arm
I know that james is going to have a booth at the mpls muskie show and will probably have a show special on his tackle industries stuff be a good chance to check out all the rods your considering too |
|
| |
|
Posts: 906
Location: Warroad, Mn | The Okuma EHv 8'-6" XH in a split grip is a great rod. Handles lots of lures. Doesn't break the bank. Highly recomend them. Doug Johnson |
|
| |
|
Posts: 279
Location: Central Wisconsin | I like my TI xh 8', you can get a great deal on them since James is discontinuing the 8' model.
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 2024
| I fished 1 week with an 8' rod before adding a 9' rod and the change in length did not mess me up at all, and I am a newbie to musky. The 9 foot rod made much longer casts and made figure 8's easier. I just added a 7'6" jerkbait rod and figure 8's are not as easy as it is with longer rods. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 173
Location: Minnesota | I would recommend TI rods |
|
| |
|
Posts: 504
Location: Ludington, MI | Have you considered contacting the companies and telling them that you're going to be fishing in a high school tournament? Perhaps they'll give you a pro discount and a shirt. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1245
Location: Walker, MN | MuskiesinMN - 3/14/2013 5:44 PM
Masqui was it an evx musky or a big bait. Also to everyone else, do you like the TI split grips or full grips?
The EVX. Great value. I have never checked out the T.I.'s either. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | I would highly suggest a 9 ft rod...no reason not to start off on top...I wouldn't waste your money on a shorter rod as you will want and need a 9 footer anyways... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 403
Location: Lakeville, MN | my first and second were both TI rods... hard to go wrong with! James knows how to run a business. |
|
| |
|
| Ti XH 9 ft with a used calcutta 400b or a new cardiff 400 |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1060
Location: Palm Coast, FL | bowhunter29 - 3/14/2013 5:41 PM
Tackle Industries all the way.
jeremy
For the price you are looking for this is definitely the way to go! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 246
Location: Grand Marais, MN | MuskiesinMN - 3/14/2013 5:42 PM
Being a bass, walleye, pike fisherman it seems like 9' is kind of big. I know its common in musky fishing but are the 9' TI rods that much of an advantage over a 7'6 or 8' rod.
Maybe go out with your friend or someone on the water and try a variety of rod lengths to see what they feel like. Or at least definitely go and feel them out in the store in terms of what a nine foot rod feels like. When I got into musky fishing, everything from an 8 foot rod in heavy action felt like overkill to me. I ended up buying short, whippy rods that although i still have and sometimes use, i wish i had known about forums like this so i could have spent that money on rods i really like to use.
All that being said, an 8 or 8'6" rod will work well too and are super comfortable lengths, but if you want one to handle everything, you should be thinking xheavy power like most of these guys say.
Once you really get into it, a long, goofy looking rod wont look or feel so goofy anymore
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 340
Location: Lake County Illinois | Another recommendation on the Okuma EVX 8'6" XH.I have most of the rods in the series and really like this model for a wide variety of lures. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 256
Location: plant earth | Look on ebay and craigslist you may get lucky and score a awesome rod for a very pleasant price. When I started looking for rods I found a avid rod I believe it was $80. But u can beat the quality and valve of the TI rods. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 48
Location: PA | I started with an 8' MH St Croix Premier. Used it for awhile and wanted a longer rod. I bought the 9' TI rod and liked it alot better than the St Croix. Felt better casting etc so I sold the St Croix. Next rod will be another TI... |
|
| |
