Bass guy fishing for musky

[shiltsy]

I primarily target bass in the Summer... It's been a slow year and I figured if I'm going to average one fish per outing I might as well give muskies a shot! I've caught a couple nice musky when bass fishing, but am going to target them this weekend up in the Hayward lakes area.

If a guy with 15 bass rods was going to invest in one good all around musky combo what would it be? I don't mind investing in a good quality setup within reason.

I have some ideas for lures, but if you have any "must have" recommendations from your tackle box let me know.

Thanks!

[Esox_Magnum]

For a good al around combo to get started would be a Revo Toro NAcL in the 5:4 gearing paied with a 9' Tackle Industries XH rod.... Of courswe theres also all the proper landing and release tools one must have in order to quickly and safely land and release them...As far as bait choices thats a hard one since every area has it's own go to baits...I'm not familiar with WI fish but guessing topwaters and bucktails are a good choice...

[shiltsy]

Interesting, a low profile baitcaster for targeting musky. I always assumed musky guys used round baitcasters. I was just browsing the Abu Garcia 5600 c4 when your reply came through.

At the end of the day if the low profile rig works just as good, it makes sense to save the weight.

[Esox_Magnum]

Most my muskie reels are Revo Toro's as well as Shimano Curado 300, I use and abuse them 100+ days a season and they keep going... For big blades and big rubber I do use a Trinidad and a Calcutta 400

[MuskieFever]

Great recommendations! I have a toro nacl 5.4 paired with a TI xxh tele and I love it. Although for the best ALL around rod, XH is the way to go. XXH can be a little finicky with the lighter bucktails. The calcutta 400D is also a great reel from what I've heard but I have yet to test it out. Best of luck to you and your wallet...Muskies will make you broke.

[dan z]

My favorite rig is a tackle industries 8'6" extra heavy with a Calcutta 400s spooled with 100lb ultra cast. It throws most things a county mile!

[shiltsy]

Picked up a Revo NaCL last night and 8' Rod along with enough lures to get started. As MuskieFever mentions, muskies will ineed make you broke!!!!

That reel is phenomenal, so if this musky thing doesn't pan out it will be a great reel for my bass gear.

[Jcup]

Care to sell the extra handle for the nacl?

[kingfish689]

I have four tackle industries rods. 7'6" 8' and two 9s all with Calcutta's. and I have no complaints after 4 years of using these and in some cases abusing them

[MuntzAngling]

A Saint Croix Rod 6'6" with an Abu Garcia 5600 C4 spooled with 80 lb power pro is all you will ever need. Works in any size boat and gets the job done affordibly.