Beginner Set up

[Arkman]

I'm sure this has been asked before but I'm going to go ahead and ask again.

I'd like to get into the sport but I don't have a lot of money. I realize that, as with many things, no money and muskie fishing don't go very well together but I'm sure we can make it happen.

What I'm thinking right now is the Bass Pro Muskie Rod. I haven't decided between the 6'3" and the 7'. Right now I'm leaning more towards the 7' but I might just bite the bullet and buy both because they are cheap right now.

Muskie Rod

The reel has me a bit more stumped. There are soooooo many choices out there. So many that are really expensive too. I was thinking about going with a Abu 6600 bcx. Now I know that this isn't the best reel ever but so far it seems decent for a decent price. I keep looking on craiglist for something used that is a better set up but so far no dice.

Abu Reel

I wanted to get your opinions. Any thoughts on if this will get me by. For now I'll probably only be able to go out a few times a year. And in the end I plan on mostly targeting these fish with a fly rod. I have the gear for that but I figure I need to learn more about these fish before I tackle that challenge.

[RK]

Hiya -

If it were me, and I were only going to get out every so often, I'd get the 7 footer and call it good. When you get used to that you'll have a sense of whether you wish you had a longer or shorter rod. It'll depend on how tall you are, ow your boat is set up, how you hold the rod when you cast and retrieve, etc.

That having been said, I, and most of the muskie guys I know, greatly prefer longer rods. They're easier to cast with, more forgiving fighting fish, let you do bigger figure-8s, etc. Other than live bait fishing, I haven't used a rod shorter than 7' in years. Some like REALLY long rods (8'6" - 9') but I personally don't. 7' - 8' works for me.

As for the specific rods, the BPS rods are pretty decent for the money, and the reel will be fine... Just be sure to get the 6000 size.

If you're in Moorhead, the best money you can spend on getting started muskie fishing is $30 to join the Fargo-Moorhead Muskies Inc. chapter. Bunch of really good people, and very willing to help newcomers out.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Hoffer]

I am sure i will get hammered by some of the Muskie guys here - but I have been using "lighter" equipment now for Muskies and in fact just watched one of the Lindner boys do a show on "Lindners fishing edge" where all they did was fish Muskies for 22 hours over 2 straight days. They were using a 7.5 foot bass rod and a bass sized baitcaster. The baitcaster was a little more on the heavy duty bass size - but certainly not the traditional big Abu Garcias you might see used for Muskies. They commented many times throughout the show how much easier it was to throw baits all day long and when they caught a Muskie it was much more fun to bring it in with lighter tackle. They had absolutely NO issues fighting those Muskies (and some were upper 40's pushing 50 inches). I am guessing if you wanted to be throwing double cowgirls all day long you might want a more heavy duty set up. But they were throwing medium sized bucktails and were doing just fine. The nice thing is you can always use that set up for throwing spinnerbaits for bass when the Muskies arent cooperating. 2 for the price of 1! Just a thought.

[Arkman]

Thanks to both of you. Talking with some other people in the past I've heard the same thing about the longer rods. I was shooting for an 8' rod but I can't find one in my price range. The bass pro rod is the closest thing I've found. I figure for $20 bucks it will get me started. Then If I decided I want to fish more I can upgrade.

I didn't realize there was a club like that. I'll check into that.

Thanks guys!

[asteffes]

I would check with Gander Mtn. They have their Guide Series Rods that are usually pretty reasonable.

I too would go with an 8 ft rod, I think you will find you like that better in the long run.

Word of caution: I would not throw double cowgirls with an abu 6000 series, you will be buying a new one next year.

The abu would be just fine for small bucktails, topwater, and other jerk baits/cranks.

Good luck!

[RK]

Hoffer - no argument from me. A pretty good percentage of the muskies I catch every year are on 'bass rods' - either a flipping stick, or a swimbait rod.

Heavy gear is more for the lures you throw than the fish you reel in. The muskie hasn't been born that you can't whip with 20# mono and a flipping stick. If you're throwing small to mid-sized muskie baits, you can't beat a flipping stick.

[asteffes]

I would check with Gander Mtn. They have their Guide Series Rods that are usually pretty reasonable.

I too would go with an 8 ft rod, I think you will find you like that better in the long run.

Word of caution: I would not throw double cowgirls with an abu 6000 series, you will be buying a new one next year.

The abu would be just fine for small bucktails, topwater, and other jerk baits/cranks.

Good luck!

[Shoot2Kill]

I'd like to get into the sport but I don't have a lot of money. I realize that, as with many things, no money and muskie fishing don't go very well together but I'm sure we can make it happen.

I said this same exact thing 2 years ago in July. And now....I don't even want to think about how much $$ I have into this sport in only 2 years. It has been by far one of the biggest obsessions I've ever taken on. My problem was I had a 50inch plus follow in gin clear water right up to my feet my first time out, about a half dozen other follows, and stuck a 45 and a 51 (fish in avatar) later that night within 30 minutes. I haven't been right in the head since and it's amazing where you can find/justify the $$ spent when you want it bad enough!

Good advice posted already, good luck!

[Arkman]

If i want to keep the reel right around the $100 mark at most what is my best bang for the buck.

I have no problem buying used, I just can't seem to find what I'm looking for.

[Elia]

As others have said: You don't have to spend a ton of money for a reliable, durable muskie rig. A muskie rod is a very blunt and simple instrument. There are literally dozens of perfectly acceptable sticks under/around a hundred bucks that will serve you well for many years. A little web time and shoe leather will get you these items for comfortably under a hundred bucks.

I have years of personal experience with BPS rods of all type, and while they're not the lightest rods in the world, I can't think of any meaningful reason to stop using them. I'd definitely go with a 7' instead of a 6'3", however. If you take a shine to muskie fishing my bet is you'll migrate to longer rods for reasons that will become personally apparent. Until that day, a 7' will put you in the hunt for any fish anywhere.

For reels, I'm an ABU guy. A 6500-class reel is about $90.00 and it's unlikely you'll ever wear it out. All the musky reels in the world may never equal the total fish caught on this item. If you want to stretch dollars while really covering the waterfront--that is if you want a combo for cats, sturgeon, big pike, AND muskies, there's no shame in getting a 7' to 7'6" flippin' rod (something rated for lures up to 2 oz's)and a 5500 series reel. Spool this with 50# braid and you can easily catch anything swimming in freshwater.

Good luck.

[brad coin]

RK is right get hold of the Fargo Moorehead chapter one of the most active chapters in all muskies inc, those guys have billions in tackle maybe millions in raddogs alone,they might be having a swapmeet sometime soon

your money will go farther and better quality with 'used tackle' used rods are pretty safe,, used reels however can be a little risky

there are swapbords on the websites "muskiefirst" and "muskyhunter' the people are very dependable and reliable Ive made over a hundred plus deals and have never had a bad incident plenty of Minnesota guys on there too that might be able to meet you somewhere if you strike a deal or mail it to you

[Shoot2Kill]

Arkman...

You're in Moorhead? My wife is from there and we will be up at her parents cabin south of DL over the 4th and right now I'm planning on bringing the boat to fish DL on Saturday night and Monday morning. I'll be out solo so if you want jump in one of those times, PM me your # and you're more than welcome to come if it works for you. You can try my rods/reels and see what you like and maybe we'll get lucky and get the boat slimed!

[Nick Kuhn]

Not sure if they still have it but for a long time Cabelas had 7-7.5 foot H action Quantum Alliance muskie rods for $30. Not quite as cheap as those but they should handle bigger baits better. Bought my cousin one for his Bday as he was just getting into the sport. Actually makes a pretty good jerkbait rod.

[RuKiddingMe]

I have a St.Croix Premier 7'6 MH that I will match up with a Abu 6500 c3 - yours for 110.00 plus shipping or a pick, my family has a cabin in Alexandria and I think my old man is going this weekend if you wanted to him at the cabin in Alex.

let me know - esox23 (at) comcast (dot) net

[Muskiefool]

The muskie hasn't been born that you can't whip with 20# mono and a flipping stick. If you're throwing small to mid-sized muskie baits, you can't beat a flipping stick.

I know a place, that has a fish, that you may want to go a touch heavier,,I saw haha

7 foot MH or H and a 6500 with 80# test and have fun, fish and forget. As well like Brad and Rob mentioned go to a F-M MI meeting, some really good people up there.

[john skarie]

The FM MI chapter meets the 4th Monday of every month upstairs in the VFW in West Fargo.

New members get a long pliers and a free lure when they join. Every meeting we give away 8-10 lures as a door prize.

As RK said, money well spent. You will learn a ton and get chances at lures with a couple of swap-meets/tackle auctions a year.

John Skarie

RVP FM MI

[Arkman]

Thanks John. I might have to look them up and give it a shot. $30 bucks is nothing to meet a good group of guys interested in the same things I am.

[Arkman]

Hey John. I just realized that tonight is the meeting this month...right?

Do I need to sign up before I come to the meeting or just show up and sign up there?