Muskie rods

[JohnMickish]

I'm just starting to get the bug for muskie fishing and am wondering if you "pro's" could help me out.
Here's my question; Do you really need a "muskie" rod with the xtra heavy action or can you get by with a quality heavy action rod?

The reel will be a Abu Garcia Ambasadour (sp?) 5500C3 or a 5000.

Thanks.

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It still beats workin'

[Lost]

I've got an extra-heavy and a medium-heavy rod. I find casting farther works better with the medium-heavy rod. Haven't caught any muskie's on them yet.

[Esoxmn]

I would stay away from the extra heavy, To stiff of a rod can cause you to lose fish, tear the hooks out, on boatside srikes, They can cause slack line when a fish jumps. If you trow realy heavy baits you may need one. I would go with a 7' or longer.

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Why did'nt Noah swat those two mosquitos?

Gary

[JohnMickish]

I've looked at a few different makes of muskie specific rods and they look like a broom handle with guides. I can't imagine trying to cast something but maybe it's not so bad. That's why I asked you guys.

Thanks.

[ARMAN-21]

I own about 7 rod and they all range in length from 6' to 8' and they are all Med/Hev action and i love them. I fish St. Croix's and G-Loomis, but I've heard good things about Fig Rig Rods. The longer the rod the longer the cast will be and the longer rods are really nice when it comes to doing figure eights at boat side. Hope this helps, have a good weekend and good fishing!

Scott

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ARMAN-21

[delmuts]

i don't get to do a lot of muskie fishing, so for now i only have two rods. one is a bass ( heavy) flipping stick.( for smaller bucktails etc.) and a muskie rod rated for lures up to 2 1/2 oz. this lets me cover a fair number of lures. del

[bigmouth]

My fishing partner and I both user Fig Rigs. They are great rods for the money. When it comes to stiffness I think it all depends on what you are comfortable with. I myself love the pool cue style rod (6'2" Extra heavy)I also have a few 7'6" medium/heavy rods that I like for buchtails and smaller cranks. The thing I find the most important in a rod is the weight (lighter the better) 6-8 hour days holding onto a rod gets tiring. Another that you need to watch is the length of the handle. I like my handle long so I can tuck it under my arm for more control.
Hope this Helps a little.

[This message has been edited by bigmouth (edited 08-05-2004).]

[690VS]

I have 6 muskie rod and reel combination rods rangeing from 6'3" to 7'6" and medium heavy to heavy they all have there places. If I had to pick one it would probably be a 6'6" medium heavy. I use all fenwick rods and berkley IM7's rods they seem to work well for me.

[Bushwacker]

I have 6 muskie rods ranging from 6'2"-7'2". I like them all except my 6'2" Extra Heavy. I could do pull ups on the thing and I don't even think it would flex. But that is my personal opinion, I know guys who love them. I think the most versatile is the Med-Heavy. I use mine all the way up to 3 oz lures. Sometimes a little over the rod rating, but I haven't had any problems yet.

[esoxguy2004]

St.Croix Avid all the way! I know they are spendy, but the lifetime warranty makes it worth it.

[RuKiddingMe]

Well, if I had the money I would definetly go with a Throne Bros Diamondback custom rod, these things are the Cream of the Crop, and their price tags reflect that, very spendy.

For me my main 2 rods are a St.Croix Avid Heavy for Jerks and a St.Croix Legend medium heavy for bucktails and smaller baits. I also have a few Rapala Long Cast series Musky rods that are a fairly decent rod for $60, I bought the Rapala when I first started fishing Musky and quickly bought the St.Croix's when I knew there was no turning back. The people that fish with me only use the Rapala's, the St.Croix's are hands off.

RU

[fishinmike]

i just got my first "musky" rod 2 weeks ago. I was lucky to get it for very cheap considering what it is. I have a 7', heavy G-loomis. I have casted alot of lures in that 2 weeks and it casts like magic. I strongly urge these rods. They are awesome!

Best Fishes and Wishes
Mike