Beginner Rod/Reel?

[ASMOLEY]

Long time fisherman new to Muskies... Few questions for the "experts"

I got a screaming deal on a slightly used 6600 C4 and was looking for a good rod to pair with it. I know some don't care much for the Abu line up but for the price this will be a great way to start.

Thinking of the TI XH 9' Seems that this should handle most lures except for Pounder Dawgs. I like the idea of telescoping but the extra weight and moving parts on a rod just have me worried... Any opnions or experience to sway me one way or another?

The XXH rated for 8-36oz lures just seems overkill as most lures I've looked at fall in the 2-10oz range. Should I follow these ratings or are they flexible for smaller/larger lures?

Open to other rod recommendations too!

I also have a 7'6" Bass Pro XXH rod (.5-4oz) with a 6500 C3 that I've used for trolling for walleye and northern. Plan on using this for some of the smaller lures in my growing arsenal.

It makes sense to pair the C3 with the smaller/lighter rod and C4 with my future "true musky rod".

[Esox_Magnum]

9' TI telescoping is a good rod, I have abused mine for as long as they have been out and no issues...Rod will outlast the reel easily...6600 is a 6:3:1 if I remember right, personaly to fast for me for dawgs and blades but fine for jerksbaits and gliders and topwater....In todays world you won't find better service than what you'll get from James at TI.... The 9' XH will throw pounders if you want, not ideal but will do it... I like the XXH for big rubber and 13 and bigger blades....

[Rebel9921]

Another vote goes for Tackle Industries... I absolutely love his 9'0 XXH Telescoping which enables me to throw anything I want, from hellhounds up to big rubbers including Pounders... It also works well for live-bait late into October, slow-trolling 14" or bigger suckers... Keep in mind that I do have a 9'0 Thorne Bros XH Predator... and its basically sitting there collecting dust... Dont let its rating fool you... this is definitely an all-purpose rod!!! It loads up excellent in cast and in fighting the fish...

You cannot go wrong with Tackle Industries... the customer service James provides is definitely TOP NOTCH!!! and get this... James is a frequent contributor to several muskie forums and contributes greatly to Operation Muskie...

If I was you... I would definitely mate that 6600C4 to the 7'6 for glider/jerkbait, nothing else, as Im speaking from experience... In fact, using Double Showgirls with this reel would be over-doing it... Personally, I would prefer the C3 for small bucktail duty such as Showgirls, Mepps Marabou, maybe regular dawgs, nothing more as the mag dawgs would be bit too much...

[delmuts]

Another vote for the T.I rods; and go with the XXH. I can toss smaller lures( 1-1 1/2oz. ) with no problems.

I'll stay out of the reel discussion!

[Shawn Kellett]

The XXH is way too heavy for most of the stuff you're going to throw, that is unless all you plan on throwing is rubber. I have this one and keep it in the boat without a reel for those days where I HAVE to throw that God awful stuff. If you get something in the 2-8oz range you will be able to throw about 80% of the baits that are out there and not tire yourself out as much and have more flex to fight the fish. The TI rods are probably the best rod at the price point I've seen so it would be a decent pic for a beginner. Also, don't be afraid to look at the used market. Often times you can get a used premium rod for a similar price of a new lower end one, especially if you're new and don't know if you're going to stick with it.

[Nick Kuhn]

Yeah, no reason to go with an XXH. You can throw everything but pounders and their equivalents with the XH; all you are doing by going to the XXH is giving yourself a heavier rod to handle all day. I use a rod rated for 2-9 ounces and it throws everything I own well. I can go as low as 3/4 ounce and still cast accurately. But it works really well for firing those 3 ounce baits a mile (and the majority of muskie baits fall in the 2-4 ounce range).

[ASMOLEY]

Looks like the TI 9' XH Telescopic rod get the vote of confidence. Thanks for your expert responses!

Would you pair this rod with the C3 or the C4? With tax season I might just have to splurge and get a TE...

Any line recommendations? Seems that TufLine and Cortland are both really popular. I've used power pro before and have some mixed feelings about it. Suffix seems to have some high quality braids as well. Can't find much chatter/reviews of it though... I've been very satisfied with Suffix mono and fluor performance for other species.

[Shawn Kellett]

Don't use C4's in muskie applications. I know, I know some of you guys use them, but you lose sooooooo much power with those reels it's crazy. Go with the c3 or the $100 Shimano (can't remember the name). The high gear ratio isn't very good for muskie lures as it has very little power with the handle provided.

As far as line it's Tuff for me. They have a great line at a (typically) better price then most of the other alternatives out there. I like XP best followed by Plus.

My $.02

[smeese]

Get the TE or 400b

[Shawn Kellett]

If he's a beginner he's not going to spend $350+ on a TE, although it is the best (I have several). A Calcutta B is a good investment IMOP, especially if you do any fishing for other large species (cats, sturgeon, etc). You won't lose much depreciation in that reel and it'll last you for your life so long as you take care of it. Much longer then the new C3's for sure.

[crix]

If your just beginning I would say get a calcutta or revo toro 60 and a tackle industries heavy rod

Save yourself in the long run by not buying a super cheap set up then having equipment fail then buying more expensive gear later skip a step because you know your gonna get hooked after you land one

[Zelmsdawg]

I started out with C3s and C4s, so don't worry about it. If you like musky fishing, then it becomes easier to spend a couple hundred dollars on a reel then.

I would just caution you not to use a C4 for anything but topwater/jerkbaits/glidebaits. I burnt mine out quickly just using single size 8 blade bucktails