Rod ??'s

[fiskyknut]

Musky bug has kinda bit me a bit more this winter, always wanted to get into it more. I would like get some feedback on rod selection. The Musky rod I have now is a St Croix MI66MH, 20-50#, 3/4-3oz. I assume this is kinda a general purpose rod? I want another rod which will compliment this rod fairly well. I am a Croix fan. I'm thinking I need something that would throw a Small/mid/ML-sized Bucktail better than this rod seems to? I've read the trend is to longer rods so any advice as to a compliment? The rod I now have is rather sturdy, what would be the primary best uses for a rod of this length and action {that 6-6} I'm 6-1 if that matters. Topwaters?, Jerkbaits? I spose I'll need a third rod Huh? Throw in a third rod suggestion if you wish, then I'll just have to twist the wifes arm a little bit harder! Thanks.

By the way I also have some PC76H's, would one of these make a decent smaller baits rod? I will be getting at least one more rod regardless.

Many thanks....fiskyknut

[widetrack]

FN:

Your 6'6 St croix is a good rod, and would be something I would mainly use for throwing jerk baits, like a suick, bobbie etc...

I have 4 musky rods 3 loomis rods and 1 all star.

The loomis's are 6'6, 7', and 7.5. The 7'5" rod is my absolute favorite for the purposes you are talking about. I'm not familiar with the 7.5 st croix's you mentioned, perhaps they would work well.

A 6'6 and a 7'5 would be all you would really need. Longer rods with a softer tip work great for throwing small bucktails, spinner baits etc. Longer rods are also great when doing the figure 8, as you don't have to bend over as much, and helps prevent spooking the fish...

My 4th rod is for trolling it is a 8' all star medium heavy, a longer rod with a soft tip, but still loads up rather quick is great. The long soft rod keeps the bait from snagging, bouncing over 99% of the rocks.

Hope that helps some... I'll check back if you have further questions.
This sport is going to cost you if you get hooked... just warning you up front.

[fiskyknut]

Thanks man. What model # is that 7-5 loomis you like? What about fishing those Hawg Wobblers, what size do you like? And what rod? I have many rods for this, that, and the other thing, so I'm set for about everything but Musky fishing in Mn. I have plenty of C-3's and 4's, so reels are'nt a problem, and will be shopping soon.

Fisky

[widetrack]

Fisky,

I'll post later on tonight on your question here.

[fiskyknut]

Cool, whenever you have time. I'm just full of questions....Lines, Lures, terminal tackle for various presentations. Basically everything!!!

Thanks....Fisky

[widetrack]

Hey Fisky,

All my sticks are up at my camp up north, and I can't remember the exact numbers on it. I'm not too much of a rod guru, When looking for a rod, I usually pick them up off the shelf, and I can just sort of tell what I'm looking for by feel. My 7'6" loomis I have a calcutta 400 on it. It really is my favorite outfit, and I probably use this rig 75 percent of the time. I throw anything from bucktails, smaller spinner baits, and topwater hooks with this outfit. I use my 6'6 and 7' for jerkbait type applications, and my 7' for heavier double bucktail type lures, or Larger spinner baits.
I use Garcia 7000 reels on these, they are the real workhorse of Musky reels. You won't wear one out in your lifetime. They take some getting used too, but once you get used to them, you will swear by them. They have the power to crank in the biggest of spinner baits with huge colorado blades without wearing you out. Loomis rods are my favorite, because I really like the fact that if I have problems no matter what the cause I can call them up, and they will have me a new rod in 2 days no questions asked for $50 bucks. I hate trying to hassle with warranty type stuff so this just makes sense to me. If i ever step on a rod or whatever, its not the end of the world. Just my prefrence.

I use superbraid lines, Currently I'm using 200lb whiplash by berkley. It costs an arm and a leg for a spool, but if you use backing on your reels one spool will fill 3 reels. You can't break the stuff, no way. In the superbraid type lines don't go with anything under 100lb test. You wan't to shoot for around a 30lb diameter. Power pro is good, tuff line is good, but in my opinion you don't want to go less then 100lb test. The lighter test line will result in various problems, ie breakoffs, line cutting into the spool, wicked backlashes etc... they are just too small of diamter.

As far as lures go...a person can really get carried away here. Some basic advise here.

2 topwater hooks. 1 hog wobbler black. 1 topraider black.

A few inline bucktails, I prefer windells musky harassers, Black with orange blade, brown with orange blade, brown is a great color for overcast conditions, and black is just an all around good color to be throwing especially towards evening.

A couple of single hook spinner baits, these are awesome for times that you are fishing in the heavy cabbage. Musky candy is my favorite. It is sort of a smallish type spinnerbait with a big twister type rubber tail. The fish really love them, and you can throw them all day without wearing yourself out.

Jerkbaits I prefer 10inch suicks firetiger is my favorite. And Bobbie baits.

Trolling baits for fall I prefer Jakes. Cisco color or firetiger. Firetiger is another all around good color on Low in any hook you choose.

Get a few baits that you have confidence in, and get to know how to work them well, that really is the key. I probably have a dozen lures (out of several hundred) that I use consistently and have lots of confidense in.

The main types of structure you want to concentrate on during the summer are.

1. West or South facing sand bays. These are generally full of cabbage and can be loaded with fish.

2. Rock points, You want to look for structure that continues on and out from the point, boulder extending points are fantastic.

3. Saddles. Where two islands come together with shallower type water between them, they are generally full of cabbage as well.

4. Rock reefs. Generally most of the reefs I fish have some portion of them that sticks out from the water, with other large portions submerged. These are my favorite types of structure to fish, and I feel they are the best bet for larger fish. It takes time to learn the exact layout of the reefs but after time you will learn to know where and how the fish tend to setup on a spot, and where they like to lay in ambush. That is much of the fun in it for me. Learn the spot, learn to control and position the boat properly, then placing a fine cast to a likely looking spot...

Well I'm sort of rambling here... just some random thoughts. If you have other specific question feel free to fire away.

[Scoot]

Fisky,

When you make up your mind about the rod you want, I'd suggest calling my dad. He's a rod-maker and has been for over a decade. He'll make you a better product and for a cheaper price than you'll get it in a store. He'll use the exact same blank you'll get from St. Croix, Loomis, etc. Also, he'll personalize it for you- name, you're choice of wrap color, a pretty little decal, etc.
Give him an e-mail at: [email protected]

Also, I think I'm going to be up in your neck of the woods on the weekend of the first of March. You interested in getting out?
Scoot

[KING]

One thing to consider when choosing a rod is also the type of boat you will be most likely fishing out of.

One popular bait I like is a Jackpot, if I am fishing out of a boat like an Alaskan any rod longer than 6'0 is two long to get a good walk the dog action. But in boat with a good high casting platform a 6'6 and up to 6'9 will work. This also holds true with diving and gliding jerkbaits.

It also depends on if your fishing from the front or the back of a boat, depending on the boat, but most have higher casting decks in the front. So a rod you use in the front of your boat may not be great in the back of your buddies.

I know alot of guys are starting to go with the longer rods now, and some of it has to due with the high casting decks in the newer boats.

Before I spent a bunch of money on Loomis and St. Croix rods I would get some cheaper ones till you know exactly what you want.

[guideman]

Holy cow Batman.....
If you haven't got a million dollars to spend like these guys, go with a 6 1/2
heavy action and a 7 1/2 medium heavy action.

They will handle everything in your box
until you deside if you want to chase muskies all the time.

Fenwick and St croix both have quality
rods for a decent price and they both have life time warranties.

Abu 6500's are moderately priced and they will last for years. I have never
used a reel, that was worth the kind of money they want for a top of the line Shimano.

------------------

Ace guide service.
Beautiful Lake Vermilion.
aceguideservice.com
[email protected]

[widetrack]

Guideman:

If you read my post, I stated a 6'6 that he already has, and a 7'6 would be all that he needed. I wasn't recommending he go out and buy 3-4 loomis rods. I was just explaining what I use.

I've given up on 6500's. I'd burn through one every couple of years. A 7000 is a lifetime investment. Calcuttas are a quality reel too, I've used mine hard for 6 years, no problems at all. 6500's always fell apart on me.

[This message has been edited by widetrack (edited 02-20-2003).]

[This message has been edited by widetrack (edited 02-20-2003).]

[fisherdog19]

I just got a g. loomis mur864c which is a 7'2" medium bucktail rod with a fast action this past season and I love it. It makes casting bucktails and spinnerbaits easy, especially when there is a head wind. I found some quantum reels that I really like, they have an adjustable magnetic brake on them like low profile bass reels. Havn't had any problems with them in two years and I had 70 days on the water last summer. The sad thing is that quantum stopped making them, model pr600cxs. Just my opinion.

Fisherdog

[Steve Foss]

widetrack:

Thanks for the excellent musky primer. I've mostly targeted big pike with 7-foot medium-heavy and heavy-action rods and Ambassadeur 6500 reels. Being budget-constrained, I've got a couple Berkley Lightning Rods, which are nice responsive rods with stiff butts and nice tips, in a couple different actions.

I pull lots of big lures with the 6500s (big spinners, spinnerbaits tipped with suckers, Suicks and Bobbies to 10 inches), and have yet to have a 6500 fall apart or even wear out. My oldest is 10 years old and going strong. Your feelings about their merits aside, what are the differences between the two? Does the 7000 hold more line, have tougher gears, etc? Also, one of my 6500C4 reels, called a "trophy" model, came with a single-crank handle like those seen on the 7000 series, not the typical two-crank 6500 one.

I've also got an 8-foot Berkley E-Cat #3 that I bought for catfishing but moved away from cat country the first season I bought it. It makes a great trolling pole for big pike, and I'm sure would for muskies. Slow action, lots of give and power. A little big for casting, though.

Have fished muskies a few times in the Northwest Angle of LOW. May be doing more musky fishing than ever before. Moving to Ely in a few weeks, withing spitting distance of Vermilion. Not a bad lake to be on when the musky bug bites, I hear.

Thanks again for the info.

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"I still miss my ex-wives, but my aim is getting better!"
Steve Foss
[email protected]

[This message has been edited by stfcatfish (edited 02-25-2003).]

[toddb]

Go at least 7'6" for any bucktail or spinnerbait rod. I have an 8'6" All Star Western Inshore XH and just love it. It works great for chuckin' everything from a small french bladed bucktail to a 10" believer on the deep setting. It may seem awkward at first with that long of a stick but you will get used to it quickly and it will be hard to go back to a shorter rod. You can also sweep into a good figure 8 much easier with a high running bait with a longer rod.

My 2 cents,
toddb

[Guest]

fiskynut, I have a line of Musky poles on my site. I am a new sponsor to the board and I was selected because of the quality of my fishing rods. I do have a 7' 6" and a 7' 10" Musky rod listed on my product page. Take a couple minutes and see what you think.
Everything I offer is also a lifetime warranty on the blank. These are all customized to fit your fishing stlye and preferences. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks

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Jim Reed
www.countrykatfishing.com