Trolling for Muskies

[SteveWilson]

I'm in the process of building some trolling rods to use with downriggers for walleyes. Anyhow, since I'm in rod building mode I thought I might build some rods to troll for Muskies, either just pulling near surface or using downriggers. I use rather heavy braided line (85lb powerpro) when throwing cranks and such, not so much because a Muskie needs 85lb test line but to get the diameter roughly equivalent to 20lb mono. So the question is, what line rating rod and action would be good for trolling? I'm presently thinking on using saltwater E-glass, moderated action blanks probably in the 30lb line class rating - maybe an IGFA trolling rod or standup rod blank. I've also thought of building the rods with roller guides. Comments and suggests would be appreciated.

[RK]

Hey Steve -

The rod building sounds fun...

For trolling rods - couple thoughts.

Forget the roller guides - ya don't need 'em. Even if you want to use wire, all you need is stainless guides and a twilly tip. For anything else SIC with a hardloy tip is fine.

As far as blanks go - saltwater e-glass works pretty well. I'd look for a moderate to mod-fast action inshore blank. A great example of the right action is the St. Croix Tidemaster 8' XFXH. It's supposedly an XF action, but has a fairly soft tip with a lot of backbone. Heavy dipsey diver rods work really well too, and can do double duty as flatline/rigger rods.

Have fun...

Cheers,

RK

[Cooter]

I could be wrong(as usual), but I believe St Croix recently put out an 8' E-glass type musky rod with the blank being similar to the discontinued Classic Cat series - and I've heard those babies are bullet proof. Might even be a mostly fiberglass with some graphite blank?

[cjac]

I just saw these in the St Croix catalog. 8 foot Premier glass, heavy with moderate action. Pretty heavy rod at almost 12 oz, priced at $160.

Are there more ecomonical rods out there that are recommended?

[therancher]

Ugly Sticks are the only way to go. Don't need a hook set when trolling and they are cheap. Give one a try and you will be hooked!!......and so will the fish!!

[Random guy]

Berkely E-cat rods work great if you can find them. I have a couple that work slick and I don't think you can break them with anything short of a car door.

[Cooter]

How bout the Berkley glow sticks? Haven't actually fondled one yet but they might fit the bill - think you can get em for 30-40$.

[SteveWilson]

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I just saw these in the St Croix catalog. 8 foot Premier glass, heavy with moderate action.

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I emailed St Croix and that's the only rod they sell that they don't sell the blank for (boo hiss). I figure that a decent boat rod, standup rod, or other similar salt water rod that can handle the lure weights (or a 20-50 lb line) would work well. There are a number of rods in the $50-$75 range listed on Cabelas that would probably work well. I've thought about using an Ugly stick blank (have an email to them now, looking for suggestions), Lamiglas, or a Baston blank. I'm leaning on building with a Batson E-glass blank (dark blue - light blue tip) with blue EVA grips, blue anodized AFTCO seat, blue end cap or gimble (haven't decided that yet) and the light weight AFTCO roller guides (more for experience in building with them than actually needing them). For line, I'll probably go with 20-30lb mono on a lever drag saltwater reel.

[Random guy]

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How bout the Berkley glow sticks?

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I have a Glo-stick that I use for catfisfing and I think it may be a bit to soft or slow for musky. Awesome cat rod but I think musky would out work the rod.