What rod to buy

[Seabass77]

I have a couple of rods I currently use for pike.

7' Medium Weight/Fast action/st. croix avid/spinning - I use this to throw small to medium spoons for metro pike and plastics for bass

7' heavy weight/fast action/fenwick hmg/ - I use this for sucker/smelt fishing under a cork - its a bit heavy to throw lures with all day but I could if I have to.

I am looking to add another rod for the 04 season to begin fishing for muskie. I will need something that can do just about everything. I usually like to stay on the lighter side of tackle rather than the heavy side.

Any suggestions? Am I not giving enough information? Thanks for all of your help.

[setterguy]

If you can afford it, check out the Thorne Brothers customs, you will never go back.....

[Scoot]

My dad made me a spiral wrap (aka. Roberts wrap or acid wrap) baitcaster last year that I absolutely love. It's a 7'6" number that is perfect for bucktails, but I use it with jerks and surface lures too. If you haven't used a spiral wrap rod yet, treat yourself and get one- you won't regret it. If you're interested, let me know and I'll forward you his name and number. If you live near Fargo, I can let you take a look at mine- it's sweet! Spiral wrap, pheasant feather inlay, silicone carbide guides, bells and whistles.
Scoot

[chief]

SeaBass77,

You didn't say whether your second rod listed was a spin or baitcast model?

At any rate, I too favor "lighter" tackle for pike and muskies. Fortunately, the new generation of superbraid lines allows us to use smaller/lighter reels and softer/slower/lighter action rods. The small diameter/high break strength ratio of these lines lets us put a lot of line on smaller reels without meaningful losses in casting distance or retrieve rate. Too, the fabulous hooksetting capabilities of these no stretch lines lets us effectively use these softer, easier casting rods. The net result of these combos is less user fatigue, application and species versatility, and lower cost.

Having said all this, my recommendation is a baitcast rod seven to seven-and-a-half feet long that handles 3/4 to 1-3/4 oz. lures. NOTE: Most flipping sticks do this extremely well. There're dozens of fine rods out there that can be had for under a hundred dolars. Pair this with a Garcia Ambassadeur 5600 ( or similar model), fill up with 50lb. superbraid, and you have a rig that will effectively throw all but the very biggest muskie lures. This is also a perfect outfit for bass flippin'. GOOD LUCK.