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Muskie Fishing -> Lures,Tackle, and Equipment -> Rod Power for Bucktails
 
Message Subject: Rod Power for Bucktails
jvlast15
Posted 11/28/2022 11:18 AM (#1014940)
Subject: Rod Power for Bucktails




Posts: 297


Reading through various old threads - I am seeing a lot of XH stuff for bucktail rods being a preference.

Does anyone use a softer action for bucktails? I generally point my rod at my lures when I retrieve them. So I my primary bucktail rod is a 8'6" medium heavy rather than a H to XH (obviously these vary depending on brand) but the rod is only rated up to 3oz.

What is the reasoning for going heavier? Does anyone else use a slightly softer rod when throwing bucktails?
RJ_692
Posted 11/28/2022 12:45 PM (#1014945 - in reply to #1014940)
Subject: Re: Rod Power for Bucktails




Posts: 357


i use a MH (long ranger) and a H (elliot replaced big nasty). power ratings seem to vary a lot by mfg. many use higher powers to help in figure 8's.
chuckski
Posted 11/28/2022 5:30 PM (#1014958 - in reply to #1014940)
Subject: Re: Rod Power for Bucktails




Posts: 1152


The only time I use the old bucktail action rod for a bucktails is when using something like Mepps #4 or #5 or a small Wizz. Too much flex make it hard to change directions or as stated above on figure Eight's XH for 10 's or long Ranger type rod for a reg sized tail.
Pal
Posted 11/29/2022 6:06 AM (#1014964 - in reply to #1014940)
Subject: Re: Rod Power for Bucktails




Posts: 665


Location: Twin Cities, MN
I have 2 bucktail rods, as I tend to like throwing them so much

Medium Heavy Long Ranger - 8"6 (smaller bucktails like Ghosttail Pans, Ghosttail 100's, single & double 8's, small crankbaits, small topwater, smaller spinnerbaits)

Heavy Predator Thorne Bros - 9" ( bigger bucktails like stagger 8/9's, occasional 10's, larger topwater, larger spinnerbait, larger crankbait)

Also have a Sling Blade & Big Nasty which get's used also, obviously, I have a problem .... was looking to move the sling blade earlier this fall, but no takers.

Pal

FlyPiker
Posted 11/29/2022 7:55 AM (#1014967 - in reply to #1014940)
Subject: Re: Rod Power for Bucktails




Posts: 385


Yeah, the XH preference comes from the time where double 10s were like the only bucktail being thrown. I also use two rods for bucktails, the XH and then I believe a Heavy or MH for the bucktails we've all discovered still work in the past, roughly, 5 years. As stated above, mileage will vary based on manufacturer.
Masqui-ninja
Posted 11/29/2022 7:57 AM (#1014968 - in reply to #1014940)
Subject: Re: Rod Power for Bucktails





Posts: 1193


Location: Walker, MN
I also use two different rods for bucktails. Smaller spinners cast further and easier on a Heavy action rod. 8's through 13's pair up with a 9'6" XH.
North of 8
Posted 11/29/2022 8:26 AM (#1014969 - in reply to #1014968)
Subject: Re: Rod Power for Bucktails




Masqui-ninja - 11/29/2022 7:57 AM

I also use two different rods for bucktails. Smaller spinners cast further and easier on a Heavy action rod. 8's through 13's pair up with a 9'6" XH.


This spring I decided to get a rod and reel for bucktails and the guy at The Musky Shop convinced me to go with a 9' Shield rod in XH. I was skeptical but I am glad I went with it. I was surprised the ease with which it tosses even fairly light bucktails. And the figure 8s with 9 and 10s are a breeze. Glad I listened to him.
RobertK
Posted 11/29/2022 8:47 AM (#1014971 - in reply to #1014940)
Subject: Re: Rod Power for Bucktails




Posts: 119


Location: Twin Cities Metro
I use a Chaos 9' medium-heavy moderate fast action for smaller bucktails (up to the 7-9 Trigger). For 9's, 10's and the 13-10 Detonator, I use a Thorne 9'6" XH. It's not impossible to run everything on an XH rod, but the XH doesn't load up very much when casting a #5 Buchertail.

Overloading and underloading a rod when casting baits produces competing effects. If my rod is overloaded, I tend to lose casting accuracy because the greater flex in the rod exacerbates any small mistakes in my casting motion. If a rod is underloaded, I lose casting distance. Others that are better casters than I am can probably overcome those deficiencies with their better technique. I make up for my deficiencies by matching my equipment to the situation.

Cheers!
Bob
jvlast15
Posted 11/29/2022 8:57 AM (#1014972 - in reply to #1014969)
Subject: Re: Rod Power for Bucktails




Posts: 297


Good to know all of the opinions. I recently bought two more rods because I found a good deal on both. One is a medium heavy rated to 3/4-3 (which I normally use for bucktails) and a 8' H rated 3-8oz.

I also have a Fenwick Predator that I use for rubber and cranks.

Does that turn my MH rated rod into just a downsizer or do you guys use this type of rod for other applications?
southern comfort
Posted 11/29/2022 9:08 AM (#1014974 - in reply to #1014940)
Subject: Re: Rod Power for Bucktails




Posts: 373


I think XH action is most important for figure 8 applications for most buck tails unless you are throwing smaller bucktails.
Masqui-ninja
Posted 11/29/2022 9:17 AM (#1014975 - in reply to #1014969)
Subject: Re: Rod Power for Bucktails





Posts: 1193


Location: Walker, MN
North of 8 - 11/29/2022 8:26 AM

Masqui-ninja - 11/29/2022 7:57 AM

I also use two different rods for bucktails. Smaller spinners cast further and easier on a Heavy action rod. 8's through 13's pair up with a 9'6" XH.


This spring I decided to get a rod and reel for bucktails and the guy at The Musky Shop convinced me to go with a 9' Shield rod in XH. I was skeptical but I am glad I went with it. I was surprised the ease with which it tosses even fairly light bucktails. And the figure 8s with 9 and 10s are a breeze. Glad I listened to him.


If I was just going with one rod for bucktails, it would be XH as well. Let's face it though, different manufacturers label their actions differently.
North of 8
Posted 11/29/2022 10:33 AM (#1014977 - in reply to #1014975)
Subject: Re: Rod Power for Bucktails




Masqui-ninja - 11/29/2022 9:17 AM

North of 8 - 11/29/2022 8:26 AM

Masqui-ninja - 11/29/2022 7:57 AM

I also use two different rods for bucktails. Smaller spinners cast further and easier on a Heavy action rod. 8's through 13's pair up with a 9'6" XH.


This spring I decided to get a rod and reel for bucktails and the guy at The Musky Shop convinced me to go with a 9' Shield rod in XH. I was skeptical but I am glad I went with it. I was surprised the ease with which it tosses even fairly light bucktails. And the figure 8s with 9 and 10s are a breeze. Glad I listened to him.


If I was just going with one rod for bucktails, it would be XH as well. Let's face it though, different manufacturers label their actions differently.


Absolutely. Years ago a salesman at The Musky Shop showed me this by gently pressing two rods, same rating, different manufacturers on the carpet. Quite a difference in the bend. Guys like that, working with the rods all the time, are a great resource.
TCESOX
Posted 11/29/2022 5:14 PM (#1014983 - in reply to #1014940)
Subject: Re: Rod Power for Bucktails





Posts: 1168


I'll use an XH for 8s and up, since they are heavy enough to get some load on the rod for a good cast. The reasons I like the heavier rod, is, as others have said, better on the 8, but also, it's easier to retrieve with a stiffer rod, as you are not putting bend into the rod with the reel, making the pull, less. This can be mitigated by pointing the rod at the bait, but I like to keep the rod to the side. Use the heaviest rod that will load the bait on the cast.
Ogandrews
Posted 11/29/2022 7:00 PM (#1014985 - in reply to #1014940)
Subject: Re: Rod Power for Bucktails




Posts: 202


Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
I have two rods for bucktails. 9’10” Thorne predator heavy with 2” cut off of the tip. I use this for small stuff up to a frenzy 8/9. The main bucktail rod I use though is a 10’ chaos 2020 shock and awe which is similar to other companies XH. Throws any size bait great and doesn’t flex much in the 8 even with stuff bigger than 10’s. Most of my bucktail fishing is fine with either a small single blade and smaller frenzy stagger, or throwing big homemade stuff like a 10/12, 12/13, or some big triple bladed stuff like a jr3 just with 10’s or 12’s. With those bigger blades you really need a heavy rod to effectively figure 8. If you were to only have 1 that 10’ shock and awe is awesome, or get a 10’ xh predator if you want to spend a little more
kap
Posted 12/1/2022 7:40 AM (#1016005 - in reply to #1014940)
Subject: Re: Rod Power for Bucktails




Posts: 532


Location: deephaven mn
for me a thorne brothers pedator heavy with 2'' off tip is my big bucktail rod. A standard heavy is my small bucktail rod.
The trend is XH as stated but the heavy casts farther and has more give or flex when you do get bit in the figure eight.
plus its a lighter weight rod as well. oh and it's a little cheaper too.
jvlast15
Posted 12/1/2022 7:56 AM (#1016006 - in reply to #1016005)
Subject: Re: Rod Power for Bucktails




Posts: 297


So what do you guys even use a MH rod for? Even you use one at all.
southern comfort
Posted 12/1/2022 8:09 AM (#1016008 - in reply to #1014940)
Subject: Re: Rod Power for Bucktails




Posts: 373


I have 8'6" StC Long Ranger MH rod for top water lures. I like the more forgiving action as it helps me from overreacting to strikes. I also use it for downsized bucktails like #5 Mepps and smaller crankbaits
Cedar
Posted 12/1/2022 9:43 AM (#1016016 - in reply to #1016006)
Subject: Re: Rod Power for Bucktails




Posts: 340


Location: Western U.P.
jvlast15 - 12/1/2022 7:56 AM

So what do you guys even use a MH rod for? Even you use one at all.



I use MH rods (rated up to 3 or 4 oz) for probably 70-80% of the baits I throw. Cranks, swimbaits, topwater, and bucktails up to double 8's. I'll use several different lengths from 8' (smaller rivers) to 9' (bigger lakes)... all depends on where/how I'm fishing. All of my 50"+ fish (plus a 49"er) this year were caught on MH rods. Just another tool in the box. I've always been, and still am a big bait, big fish thinker, but I can't ignore all of the big fish caught on smaller baits. Also, as a person gets older, an appreciation of lighter rods & smaller(ish) baits will probably increase, as mine is. Good luck, and have fun at it.
happy hooker
Posted 12/1/2022 5:58 PM (#1016034 - in reply to #1016016)
Subject: Re: Rod Power for Bucktails




Posts: 3136


If you burn,,,definitely buy an aftermarket trigger or foregrip handle,,takes all the pressure off your wrists,,I won't own or use a bucktails rod without one installed.
Handy1
Posted 12/1/2022 6:50 PM (#1016036 - in reply to #1014940)
Subject: Re: Rod Power for Bucktails





Posts: 42


Location: Mississippi
I use the 8'6' MHF Long Ranger for my smaller bucktails, from double 8's under 2oz to the smaller single blade bucktails. It is also great for 8" under minnow baits. I do pair with Shimano Tranx 300 HG to burn the bucktails.

I use the 8'6" HF Sling Blade for bigger bucktails , topwater, jerkbaits and less than 8oz rubber baits. I do pair with Shimano Tranx 400A with power handle to bring them bigger bucktails in with ease and speed.

I use the 8'6" HF Legend Elite with same setups as Sling Blade and Long Ranger, for different options for hot Musky, and use with the Tranx 400 HG. This rod and reel are the bomb! So light to throw all day!
mm3
Posted 12/1/2022 9:04 PM (#1016038 - in reply to #1016036)
Subject: Re: Rod Power for Bucktails




Posts: 370


Location: Northern Illinois
Compromise between loading on the cast and a little bend in the figure 8. You need to have some bend/loading in the cast to make the rod do some of the work. XHF for all bucktails (small ones) is not the right answer.
Handy1
Posted 1/22/2023 11:45 AM (#1017296 - in reply to #1014940)
Subject: Re: Rod Power for Bucktails





Posts: 42


Location: Mississippi
With the 8'6 MH & H rods while throwing bucktails, my steel leaders will be 6-9" in length. So much easier to figure 8 with the shorter leaders while using these rods.
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