Which Muskie Rod?

[Corey Bechtold]

What is the best all around muskie rod length and action? I have some heavy and medium heavy 7'6" rods that I like. Just wondering about the rest.

[Fish-n-Freak]

If I was going to go out with one rod -- I would take a 7' MH so I could use the largest selection of lures. Any longer and you eliminate some jerkbaits and if you go shorter the hair baits get hard to toss.

If I was taking two rods 6'2" and 7'6" would be the two.

Those 7' rods are very handy, and depending on the boat you are in a 7'6" might be a great all around rod too. I just like to have the right tool for the job.

[Corey Bechtold]

I do love the 7'6". I'm thinking about making a 7' rod with a heavy/medium heavy action.

[Seabass77]

I am also new to musky fishing. I recently picked up two new rods. A 7'6" MH and a 6'6" MH. I originally was going to go with the 7'6" and a traditional 6' jerk bait type rod but after talking with Thorne Bros staff and having them walk me through putting together a beginning arsenal of equipment, we decided on the 6'6". This will set me up for everything but really heavy jerkbaits, more or less.

I would give them a call or stop by and they will help you out. Great store.

[Doop]

Don't you want a longer rod for nothing other than casting distance? I too, am going to be purchasing a new muskie rod was under the impression to go with nothing less than 7' simply to get more distance out of your casts? Can anyone help?

[ilikepike]

I went from a 7' MH to a 7'6" MH when I upgraded my rod and like the way the longer one fishes much better. My opinion is if you have only one go with 7'6". Casts further and can still handle some heavier baits than the 7' did. I have a 6' H that's like a pool cue. Hardly ever use it since I got the new rod. Only when I am chucking the heaviest lures in my box (over 3 oz).

[Seabass77]

Again, I am a beginner here but from what I have learned so far is the short, pool cue type rods are designed for specific baits and presentation/retreives. For jerk baits, the retrieve consists of short twitches with your rod. A 5 degree twitch with a 7'6" rod is a lot different that with a 6' rod. But different jerk baits will work best with different rods. You also have to consider what boat you will be fishing out of. If you are standing close to the water and you have too long of rod, your rod tip will be hitting the water when working a jerk bait. If you are on a platform of sorts, the longer rod will work fine.

Longer rods will cast farther, however.

Again, I would recommend going to a shop that has very knowledgable musky fisherman that can help you begin this type of fishing. It's worth it to get you into the right equipment. I like Thorne bros because they are close to my house, but I know there are lots of other good places out there.

[Fish-n-Freak]

Longer rods will give you longer casts, usually -- BUT what about getting a good hookset into those fish that 200' away? How can you twitch a bait that far away? How do you know what you are casting too, from that far away?

These fish are known for holding tight to cover and not just eating anything that happens to be in the area. You need to be casting to the spot on a spot and be ready to stick them when given the chance.

I love my 8' rod, but usually make short casts with it. I use it to fish in the slop and stumps, I can place a short accurate cast, and then use the long rod to 'drive' my lure through the mess.

Pick a rod that allows you to fish "your style" the best and then hit the water.

[Trailblazer]

The best overall rod - tough one...
I'll have to go with St Croix's Premier 7'2" MH rod. It is rated @ 1/2 to 2 oz.

I use this stick 90% if the time! Perfect for bucktails/spinners/top water/cranks...you get the picture.