|
|
Posts: 79
Location: South Dakota | Hello fellow anglers.
A couple of weeks ago I was bass fishing. I was throwing a 5" swim bait and hooked into a 47" musky. Needless to say I have now been bitten bye the musky bug.
I want to put together some musky gear. Specifically, a couple of nice rod and reel set ups.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Tia
Rob |
|
| |
|
Posts: 7101
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Congrats on a great first fish! You've come to the right place for tackle advice. My suggestion though: start basic, and grow from there. No need to get custom rods, super high end reels and fancy-shmancy lures when you're newly bitten by the bug!
My rod reels suggestions are to start with an Okuma EVX rod in the 8'6" heavy rod (about $120) and an Okuma Induron 400 (about the same in price). If you're looking to save a few bucks though, look into the Abu Garcia C3 lineup of reels and possibly the lower-end Fig Rig rods.
ALSO: we ran a contest last year that might be a bit of a help (or maybe more confusing, I guess) as to how to get into it with both feet, while not totally draining your wallet:
http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/board/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=28...
Welcome to the site, and welcome to the madness! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | another slant is ... when the bug bites it usually bites and leaves a mark for life ... so considering the quality of equipment you may end up with anyway is something to at least think about up-front. talk to lots of people, throw rods and use reels if you can to understand the differences between a...b... and zed ...
if i could have full retail back for all the crap i ended up selling because i didn't want to "jump-all-the-way-in" ... i'd have saved money in the long run.
also, use this site and others to see when used stuff is available ... i just saw a 7000 big-game series reel here for 100 bucks new from an individual ... otherwise is 150 bucks ... other high-end equipment is always around to buy ... and ebay is an option for finding good quality stuff without the upfront sticker shock.
the rod and reel purchase is an important one ... you can do quite a bit with one great setup and not need multiples if you buy right on the front-end.
good luck ...
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 8849
| If you can, my suggestion would be DO NOT BUY ANYTHING right away. Like many others, I bought stuff strictly on recommendations at first. I bought lots and lots of stuff, and I spent way too much money. Luckily, I bought several rods that I really like, and a few reels that I really like.
BUT, I also bought stuff I wound up NOT LIKING at all, because I hadn't fished enough to know what I like. Nothing wrong with any of it, it's all good quality stuff, just not ecactly what I'd buy if I had the chance to start over.
Some examples of things to consider:
Length -- some guys swear by 8'6" rods. For a shorter guy fishing out of a boat that's really low to the water, 8'6" may be too long. It may not fit in your truck or your rod locker. The same goes for something like a 6'10" rod -- you may find that it's just too short for you. FOR YOU.
Butt length -- depending on your style of fishing, you may find that the rod you spend $150 on is too short, or too long.
Grips -- maybe fat grips are your thig, maybe they aren't.
Something silly, but significant to some: That %^#&*% little eyelet some manufacturers put by the front grip to hook your lure onto. Some guys cut them off, others curse when a rod doesn't have one..
There are good "all around" rod and reel combos that will suit your needs, many of them are talked about here. But until you have fished enough with a lot of different rods and reels, you won't know what you personally like. Some people like longer rods, some like fast action, some like big reels with power handles, some like smaller reels...
The point I'm trying to make here is its really easy to spend thousands of dollars on stuff and find out later that because of your fishing style and personal preference, even the best quality stuff might not be for you, just because of the features that it has or does not have.
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 79
Location: South Dakota | Thanks for all of your input so far. You posts are right on point hence, this follow up post.
In the last 5 years I have gotten back into fishing pretty seriously, and have learned a lot about buying equipment, more specifically, the right equipment that will serve you over the long haul. With my bass gear I started buying the less expensive equipment early on, and learned that, for me, that is the wrong approach to take. I need to buy quality equipment up front, that way I won't waste money on the lesser stuff, while I end up buying high end later on.
Thanks for reminding me of that, as I already had hastily went out and bought some inexpensive stuff at a berkely outlet. I did buy 2 abu c3 reels and 2 berkely 7' rods. The rods will only handle baits up to 1.5 oz, otherwise I have been extremely happy with the set ups. I got the reels for $25 each and the rods for $27 each, so I feel lucky in that respect.
Now I am looking for a couple of set ups for heavier baits and pulling those hard thumping cowgirls, and those 2-4 oz baits.
I am only 5'10" and fish out of a bass boat, so yes I do not like rods over 7'6" preferably 7'. I like the "hook keepers" but, find you can use the reel as one on those big round reels.
So, with all that I am looking for a rod that can handle up to 4oz baits and is not longer than 7'6".
Also looking for reels with left hand retrieve and thumbar. That is the one thing that I don't like about the c3's, (no thumbar). The reel should also be geared properly for pulling those heavy baits.
Thanks again.
Rob |
|
| |
|
Posts: 127
Location: Brookfield | If I were you, I would stock up on 5" swim baits. So what color were you using? LOL, Nut
Edited by esoxnut 10/8/2007 7:36 PM
|
|
| |
|
| luna is a good all purpose reel |
|
| |
|
Posts: 75
| Rob, while you are getting your gear ready do not forget the tools you will need when you get your next fish.
You should be thinking at least about a hook out tool of some kind and hook cutters. Both will make the realease easier. (even if it to relase yourself)
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 2091
Location: Stevens Point, WI | Great info here already for you, I agree no need to spend a ton of money on baits and equipment. I would check out the Buy, Sell, Trade on this site for some super deals on Lots (as in sold together) baits. I believe that is a double entendre for all you English majors. Anyways, you can really score some great baits and equipment this way. There are many of us who previously succumbed to the bait crazes that are constantly cleaning out baits. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 79
Location: South Dakota | I was using the Matt lures baby bass in largemouth bass color.
He has some great stuff that I have already ordered.
Check it out at mattlures.com
Oh, and I did go ahead and order the Okuma reel and the 6'10" rod with a couple of cowgirls from muskyshop.com. I'll see how that goes, maybe I won't need another rod and reel. I would be interested to hear some high end suggestions though
You are right I am a nut. 
thanks
rob
Edited by sodaksker 10/9/2007 2:26 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 1316
Location: Madison, WI | Ah i remember mattslures... He use to post alot on the bassproshop boards. Looks like he's improved his product line over the past couple of years.
You won't regret the okuma purchases, great product for a reasonable price. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 299
Location: Ontario, California | Sodaksker...
Shoot me a PM with your address and I will send you a power handle for your Okuma reel free of charge.
In regards to MattLures... Great friend and great product. He has some larger stuff that most of you Muskie guys would want but he has a hard time producing enough of his smaller baits. I know of a lot of early spring Muskies caught on his baits. Hopefully he will produce the larger stuff soon for you guys.
Mark |
|
| |
|
Posts: 79
Location: South Dakota | California_Muskie - 10/9/2007 1:30 PM
Sodaksker...
Shoot me a PM with your address and I will send you a power handle for your Okuma reel free of charge.
Pm on the way. Thanks
In regards to MattLures... Great friend and great product. He has some larger stuff that most of you Muskie guys would want but he has a hard time producing enough of his smaller baits. I know of a lot of early spring Muskies caught on his baits. Hopefully he will produce the larger stuff soon for you guys.
Yeah I love his baby bass series. I am amazed at the amount of action I get on those. They are extremely life like in the water.
Mark |
|
| |
|
Posts: 79
Location: South Dakota | You have to check out his east coast series, in the walleye and perch colors. My perch is getting some hits as well.
Rob |
|
| |
