"Walk the Dog" rod size

[Jmeyers]

Gearing up for the season, was going to get a new Curado and set it up for my "walk the dog" presentations, top waters, and lighter gear. What size rod do most of you use for this set-up? something smaller and stiff or longer and more sensitive?

Thanks -

[Esox_Magnum]

8" Weagles and small prop baits I run on my 8'3" Heavy, anything else and including those listed also work on my 9' XH just fine... I only use the 8'3" since I already have it or everything would be on a 9' XH or XXH rod with a moderate action....

[dan z]

A short rod makes it tough to move the bait. A medium heavy rod with a moderate tip will allow the fish to fight some. A pool que will take to hooks away. So I think a 7' or larger would help in this this case. Hope this helps

[Nick Kuhn]

I use an 8 foot rod rated for 3 to 9 ounce baits. Works well. I hold it against my armpit so I don't slap the water.

[ammoman16]

I use an Okuma 7'4" H and it seams about perfect for walk the dog and jerk baits.

[WaveRunnerMN]

I use to be an avid Musky fisherman on the Cass Lake area lakes--about 8-10 lakes. I still get out and also familiar with walk the dog technique. It is one of the best methods to search for fish on new lakes or on the first days of a trip but the hooking percentage is lower than say a bucktail or plastic jerk bait. As for the rod any one in 6'8" to 8 ft. range and H to XH range...and this depends on how high you are off the water in your boat for figure 8's and to get the fish in the cradle--which every musky fisherman should use because nets tear up the dorsal and tail fins. The next consideration is the weight of lures you tend to throw and dependent on whether you tournament fish for fun or money. Pros most likely know their stuff and have an array of rod sizes and backups. IF you like 10"reef hogs or Wolf River Jerks then a rod that can handle these heavy lures in addition to top water? Personally, I like a stiff bucktail rod and another for jerks...using the bucktail rod for top water baits that are around 3 oz. Anything else and I am tire after two hours on the the water.

Looking back to the early 90's when I was fishing muskies exclusively a popular rod that many used was the Quantum H-7'(around $60 at that time and able to take a beating from beginners and novices ??). It was two tone green with cork handles which I prefer but cork is not an absolute. I would recommend you check with some buddies and ask to borrow theirs for a try...or make a few friends on-line and hook up for a half day to exchange tips and try out their/your equipment. I hate the idea of laying out $90 to $300 for a rod and it sucks? As you fish more you devleop your style so it is important to find equipment that fits this. Also, whether you use Dacron or hi-tech low stretch lines--the latter works well on rods with more tip acion rather than stiff --XH rods. The rod and line need to work together to keep the fish hooked and from tossing the lure. Low stretch ( 1 to 2 percent) plus fast action tips = thrown lures and lost fish.

Now, a tip for "no fail walk the dog" is to hold the reel or rod next to the reel in left hand and use this hand to crank the line in (moving the reel and rod together rather than the handle). Do this while holding the handle in the right hand but "stiffly" (if there is such a word?). This approach adds the necessary action to the rod tip for walking the dog (assuming your are right handed and usually crank with right). And this works well with a Poes Jackpot TW.

Good fishing --MN Mike

PS: Unless you are absolutely determined to throw heavies I would move to lighter lures and plastic jerks--but there are exceptions especially if you do a lot of tournies or fish pofessionally.

[Jmeyers]

Thanks for all the tips, right now I'm thinking an 8'3 H but I will do my shopping around at the upcoming expo and see what feels right.

[WaveRunnerMN]

And an addition and promo for fishing converstation:

Try to make a conscious effort to use lures with no more than two trebles no larger than 3/0. There is no reason to use 4/0 or bigger especially since they tear up the fish pretty badly. Triple trebles cause hangups in the boat or water for a SUCCESSFUL RELEASE. IN addtion there is a higher probability for them to get into the gills.

Also, every good musky fisherman should CARRY A WIRE CUTTER ($12) to cut hooks. If you have to boat a fish to unhook it do it in less than 5 minutes and pump fish until the swim on their own. I have had 3 fish 38-43" float up on beach at cabin on Cass early Sept right after MI tourneyin last two years. All with torn up gills...so much for LIVE RELEASE!

[Esox_Magnum]

Cradles are not good for fish or fishermen IMO, also never pump a fish you can drown it by pulling water backwards through it's gills... As for hook size, hard to hook up on a pounder or mag dawg with 3/0 hooks and for a hook cutter Nipex is the only cutter to have that will not fail you... Lots of things have changed in recent years with respect to landing and releasing fish.... And always always suport the belly of the fish and never keep it's head out of water longer than you can hold your breath....

[WaveRunnerMN]

Good points and I will have to catch up on the "What's new list". And if you feel the need to use heavies that require 4/0 or bigger it is your choice. But then don't blame the spearers for the decline in #'s on Leech, Bemidji, Cass and surrounding lakes.

Wire cutter at Mills $12 in 80's and still works great. I use to tie my own bucks so I did not mind cutting hooks. Cheap considering the investment the public has in a 48".

Never seen a drowned musky but had friend lose 51" on Plantan that dropped to the weeds and floated next day. Proabaly lost due to heavy winds and had to play fish rather than horse it in.

[Esox_Magnum]

I have skimped in the past and used wire cutters even small $15 bolt cutter style but on a cowgirl or bulldawg all have failed some after only a couple hook cuts, my Nipex has cut hundreds od 16p nails as well as hook shanks up to 7/0 easily, it's nice to know your tools will work when you only have seconds to use them or when the inevitable happens when you and the fish are hooked by the same bait ( hence 1 big reason I dont use or promote a cradle)... Todays muskie nets are coated greatly reducing harm to fish and fins and allows many of us to fish when we dont have a partner to tag along....

[SmellEsox]

I like a 6 1/2 to 7 foot rod for walking the dog. I hate slapping the water all the time with my rod tip.

[RK]

Kind of depends on how high the decks are on your boat but I use a 7'6" or 8' with a Med-Hvy power (on a muskie rod scale) and Fast rather than X-fast tip. Don't need a ton of power with a WTD bait (not like they pull hard) and a little lighter tip helps the rod load up whena fish hits, which I think helps hook-ups a lot. I actually use a bass flipping stick a lot of the time on smaller WTDs.

[Shawn Kellett]

It all depends on which WTD bait you're using. If you're using a Jackpot or a Phat Boy I use a 6'2" rod as both of those baits are very easy to overwork. A shorter rod will give both of those baits a better action and especially SOUND.

Now a Weagle likes a little longer rod with a stiff tip (giggling). I use a "Jerk" by St Croix which I've found is the best. I've run them with a Big Dawg, but the sound is much better with the shorter rod. I'm sure someone will tell me I'm crazy but what do I know about the Weagle anyway...

As a general rule for WTD: the shorter the bait the shorter the stroke/rod.

[Spallgard]

X2 on the Knipex!

[not_nuf_time]

Whad I tell you young one, relatively shorter than your normal rod, for better control and no water slap:) Is it muskie season yet:) hahaha--HA

[not_nuf_time]

You're not going to the Muskie show!!!! you gotta move your girl friend. Can't fool me, Guy.

[Fish Head]

I don't like a long rod for walking the dog. 7ft is fine. I'm surprised at how many guys like a rod longer than that for walking the dog. I like a 9ft rod for most of my muskie fishing, but not for WTD. Looking forward to the Expo!