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Musky reel/rod

eyehead

By eyehead
in Muskies-Musky Fishing

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eyehead Proficient

eyehead

Posted
Posted

Hey guys i need a little help. I've been going out ski fishin the last 2 weekends and let's just say i'm hooked on the stuff grin.gif Anyway I'm looking for some advice on a rod and reel. We pretty much just cast with a little trolling.looking to spend a couple hundred dollars Thanks for any advice!!

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TeamTracker Rookie

TeamTracker

Posted
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If you want a great combo, you can't go wrong with a Abu Garcia Record Reel! These are brand new this year and INCREDIBLE! I love my two! For rod wise, I'd recommend a St. Croix rod (Musky tried and true throughout their history). Make sure you go at least 7". I personally like an 8" rod. Great for doing figure eights with big fish!

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WMRP Member Explorer

WMRP Member

Posted
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Another option would be a Gander Mtn IM8 series rod (about $70-$80). I prefer the 8' med-hvy rod but the 7'6" is nice too. These are light-weight quality rods for the money. I have several of them and no complaints at all. They can handle large fish over 50" & 30lbs just fine. Add a Gander Mtn guide series bait casting reel (about $70-$80) to that. These reels are made by Pflueger and are basically identical to the Pflueger Trion reels. They are a very reliable and smooth reel for the money. After using this reel all I can say is no more unreliable Abu Garcia reels for me anymore. This setup would make a very good combo. Spool up the reel with Cortland spectron in 50-80lb test and you probably will still have spent less than $200.

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TBone1 Collaborator

TBone1

Posted
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You cant go wrong with Gander Mt. rods,they hold up well and if there is a problem they will replace it. The Abu reels are fantastic, I have 4 , one that was given to me is all of 10 years old and the others I have had are 3-4 years old and I have not had a problem. I fish at least 4 days a week so they have been tried and tested.

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Scoot Grand Master

Scoot

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Lots of good options here. For the best bang for your buck, I'd go with Brett's and Whitewolf's suggestion- the Mania Combos are rock solid and nicely priced.

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Random guy Grand Master

Random guy

Posted
Posted

Quote:

have any of you guys noticed how much smoother a shimano is compared to the abu's?...wish i would have bought a shimano now...
smirk.gif

I bought my first Shimano four years ago and I still use it every time out and it has never been worked on, or its five brothers. Now the Abus are all new replacements...tells ya something doesn't it. wink.gif

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Bassboy1645 Proficient

Bassboy1645

Posted
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Its funny u mention this.....Im just getting into muskies and i bought my first rod and reel for muskies yesterday......I got a 6' 11'' Rapala rod at Gander mt on clearence couldn't resist so of course i need a reel. I settled for a Shimano Corvalus seems very nice and smooth and durable. I will be testing it for the first time tonite... grin.gif oh by the way this is minuus 120 bucks shocked.gifcrazy.gif

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CaptainMusky Grand Master

CaptainMusky

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It depends which Shimanos you are talking about. The Corsairs can't be thrown into the garbage fast enough. Too many problems with the drags and a multitude of other problems.

I have two Abus (higher price models than you are looking at) and an Okuma Nitryx. The Abus are hands down smoother reels than a comparable model of any brand. Smoother drag, smoother free spool. The key is getting a Swedish made one. You cannot find a better reel for the money than the new ABU Record. There are lots of good options out there. Okuma makes some nice reels. My Nitryx is OK, but the Iduron is phenominal. This reel costs around $100 and rivals the smoothness of a Shimano Calcutta or ABU Morrum which are 3 times that cost. I don't have any experience with the Bass Pro reels, but have heard good things about them as well as the Pflueger built Gander reels. For what it's worth there are more ABU C'3 in circulation that probably all other reels combined. I don't care for there large size so I opted for a "palmable" model.

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shamalex72 Mentor

shamalex72

Posted
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I agree, corsairs are junk. I bought a corvalus last year, thought it would be better, wrong, junk too. No more shimano reels for me. I will stick with my abu's, just change a pawl or worm gear every once in a while and your good to go.

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eyehead Proficient

eyehead

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Well I bought the Shimano Cardiff and Compre combo today. After reading the last few posts maybe I shoud'nt have confused.gif. Seems like a nice setup. If anyone has one how do you like them????

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CaptainMusky Grand Master

CaptainMusky

Posted
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The cardiff is a good reel. The Corvalus is basically the same reel as the Corsair, just a new name because there were so many problems with it. You have nothing to worry about, you should be fine. You will love the Compre rod though!!! Guaranteed. Best for the money in my opinion.

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TycoCowboy Apprentice

TycoCowboy

Posted
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Have 2 Abu 6500 TCM's which are very good. But my Shimano Calcutta's CTE 400 and CTE 700 blows them out of the water. Use St. Croix 7-6 and 8 foot rods. Very pleased with this combo. Downfall, very expensive.

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sbro73 Collaborator

sbro73

Posted
Posted

Have about almost retired my Calcutta TE, Try a Daiwa Luna,about $100 cheaper than a TE, and quality is the same if not better !!! Got mine at Thorne Bros. I know some people that can't give there TE's away after trying the Luna !!!

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ads2211 Apprentice

ads2211

Posted
Posted

Sorry to just but in like this but I wanted to hear some advice before I bought it. I am looking fo a general use rod and reel. I was thinking about going with a Shimano Calcutta TE 401 for a reel and a St.Croix Avid Musky 6'9" Heavy. Any advice would help.

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