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Posts: 294
| Hey everyone I was hoping you could help me out with a few things. My dad and I have taken a few years away from fishing to build a cabin and what not. It's sucked pretty bad, but now with a new to me, but used boat in the garage the time has come to get back on the water. Anyway I have some newer and some older gear and I am looking to get some advise on what I have and what I should replace. I have a lot of baits, but there has been a lot that has come out in the last few years. What are some absolute must haves and in which colors?
Here is what I have for rod/reel combos.
Ohkuma evx-c 8'6" 1-8oz w/ambassaduer 6500cs
Older Garcia 7' MH w/ambassaduer 5500c
Same older Garcia w/Shimano Corvalus CVL-3
The Ohkuma is pretty new, but the Garicia's need replacing. Is the Ohkumaa good rod? I am looking for one to compliment the Ohkuma and the other I am looking for a rod that will be a good all around rod for my dad. Something that will throw just about anything from light to heavy, if that is possible. I would also like them to be resonably priced.
The two Abu reels were rebuilt two or three years ago (I went on one trip) and the Shimano is in good shape, but is probaly 8 years old and never gone through. Are these reels still a good option if I have the Shimano gone through?
I know this is long, but if anyone can help I am sure it is the guys on here. Let me know what you think. Also if you have anything for sale rod-wise that fits the bill let me know. Thanks for any help in advance. Much appreciated.
-Tyler |
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Posts: 426
Location: Perryville, MO | Tyler,
You're gonna get all sorts of great advice here. The Okuma will continue to serve your needs (it's a good rod). The reels will work until you've got some pocket change to upgrade. They'll do most everything for a while but heavy use and big baits will put a toll on them. If I were you I'd first upgrade the two rods with Tackle Industries 9' XH (running $120 with free shipping on a "summer" special that seems endless....which many of us are very thankful for). They'll throw just about everything and they'e amazing. From there - when you have more "scratch" - worry about upgrading reels. Endless threads will point you in a direction for what will suit your needs best depending on the baits you use most.) As far as baits (well, you know how it works...there's always tons of new ones that we think we just have to have) go with what you've got if you got some you like and upgrade rods then reels. Buy a bait or two along the way, but focus first on the more expensive upgrades. Like most, I have baits for every situation, but end up using the same few again and again. If you hate using a long rod for jerks (alot of debate goes into this one), then use the older Garcias for that duty for a while until like most of us your arsenal of rods and reels doesn't fit in the boat. |
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Posts: 294
| Thank you for the reply. I like to hear that the reels will be good yet for a while. As far as the the rods you mentioned, will an xh action throw the smaller tails and spoons? Do rods go bad? I wouldn't mind using them as "smaller bait" rods, but they are literally 10-12+ years old. I would hate to lose a bait or worse a fish due to the rod breaking or something. Thanks again and keep the info coming. |
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Posts: 294
| Anyone else have anything to offer up? |
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Posts: 12
Location: 10,000 Lakes | Rods- Hawkeye def put it best with that Tackle Industries rod, and yes you will be able to throw smaller baits but probably not bass tackle.
Reels- If your looking for something that will throw the bigger stuff and not wear down as easily I would recommend the Daiwa Saltist. It can rell in the Double 10's w/o killing your forearm and will last if you keep up on regular maintenence.
Baits- Stick with your gut on this one and use the tried and true. There will be new baits on the market every year and again as hawkeye said they are "must haves" I know I have my fair shar of bucktails, cranks, jerks, plastics and topwaters. All of which work and I use just depends on; lake, time, water temp, etc. etc.
Hopefully this helped ya out on getting back in to hunting. Best of luck to ya. |
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| TI rods all the way. I just got my 3rd rod 2 weeks ago. i have the MH, XH and XXH. Great rods for the money. Quality is as good or better than my Predator rod and in fact that rod has gotten very little use since I got my XH rod from Tackle Industries.
http://www.tackleindustries.com/muskypikerods.html
Specs and pictures of these rods do not do them justice.
Tommy |
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Posts: 9
| For baits, anything gold orange or black. Good baits for me are double 10 tails adn I have a few brands I like (Cowgirls, Glitertails, Dominatrix), SuperDs, Rapala cranks, topwaters (but not yet), etc. Too many to list.
Got a few Tackle Industries rods. They are by far the best rods I have used for the money. Sold all but one of my St Croix rods, kept my Okuma telescopic but the TI rods get the most use.
Reels, I would go with a Saltist or TE400 if you can afford one.
Last, not sure where yo plan on buying your tackle from but do some price checking. I personally buy most of my gear now from Musky Tackle Online. If they have it on their site they have it in stock. Got really annoyed over the last few orders from a particular retailer who always seemed to be out of stock on at least a few of the baits I ordered every time. They have a great catalog but lousy inventory and/or website management for their tackle. Shop around tackle stores too. They always have sale stuff and IMO fish are stupid! They will eat anything!
Jerry |
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Posts: 294
| Thank you for all of the reply's. I have looked into the TI rods and the seem to be very nice.
As far as reels go, will what I have currently work for the time being? THe Garcia's are old and don't know if they will old up to big fish or consistent casting. I'm confident in the Shimano, but not the Garcia's. What is you expirience with re-builts? Do they last ?
For baits, I think I have a lot of basis covered, but with the introduction of all these new plastic's aside from Dawgs what are other good performers?
Thanks again. I figured if I could get help anywhere it would be here! |
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Posts: 304
Location: Lino Lakes, MN | The Abu Garcia reels will work fine for the smaller stuff- however Dbl 10's and Bulldogs have changed the game in the last 5-7 years. If you try to run Dbl 10's with the Abu's they will just wear out. I have 4 6500 C Abu's and I don't use them with the big baits- they just wear you out and eventually break down from the abuse- By the way these baits abuse the human body as well.
I would get one rod- the TI 9' XH sounds like a great rod for the money. Pair that up with a Saltist 20 or 30 with 100 lb braid and your other rods will not get much use.
The 9' rods really help with the figure 8's no matter what you are throwing. Beware that the Saltist will break down occasionally from the heavy use.
I have recently heard some comments on cleaning and lubing up the reels a little more often- I will be tearing into my Saltist30 for a clean and lube. Take digital pics of the disassembly and take your time. I looked up some links lately on cleaning them and it is not much harder than cleaning up the 6500 C's
If you night fish and reel the dbl 10's slowly with the 6500's you may get satisfactory perfomance out of the reels- See the recent M H magazine - a interview with Jason Hammernick.
Good Luck
Steve |
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| I would go out and fish with what you've got. See what you DON'T like, and work on evaluating IF you need to replace it or find a different job for that piece of gear to do.
Everybody has their own take on everything, gear-wise. You will too, so making trades and moves now, before you know what you do and don't like, does not make sense to me.
Everything you listed will catch muskies. |
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