Musky Spin

[sbro73]

Hey Gang! Have an elderly friend who can not work baitcasting equipment due to severe arthritis,spinning equipment is the only option, thought we might try the Shimano or St.Croix rods offered at Thorne Bros. any input on a spinning reel would be most appreciated, was almost thinking on a saltwater reel as it might have a stronger drag. Is there any body out there that uses spinning equipment for muskies, the problem with my friend is his hands will not open far enough to palm the reel. Thanks for any solutions.

[Scoot]

I'm not trying to convince you to use baitcasting equipment, but one thing to consider is to have him hold the front cork of the rod rather than palm the reel. I have no problems with my hands, but this is how I hold the rod/reel so I can fish for much longer periods before my hands and fingers fatigue. I know a lot of other serious muskie hunters hold the rod in the same way.

[mtreno]

front cork? in front of the reel? tie something on your rod tip to get it balanced right? how do you work a jerkbait like that? seems odd, never herd of that - please explain

look into a catfishing reel - i have let guys use my cattin gear before musky fishing and it works very well

[Muskie-searcher]

I too hold the rod with front cork rather than palming the reel. I feel it actually gives me more control and I have no problem working a jerk bait.

[Dano_the_jigasaurus]

I use a Shimano Stradic 4000 on a 7' MH Fast Shimano Compre. It is a great rod for plastics, small bucktails, spinners, and cranks. Its important to have a reel with a good drag because it is much harder to back reel than free spool(baitcaster) in my opinion.

dan

[mtreno]

was just out in the parking lot tryin that out (yes it is sad that i bring two rods and about a dozen baits to work everyday just cause you never know when i may end up near a musky lake). that must take some getting used to or some kind of special rod - way to butt heavy for me

they make a compre setup for a spinning real? thats the way i would go i think if it were me. sounds like a nice combo - the cattin gear is a bit heavy for small musky baits. i picked up a 7 ft MH compre baitcasting rod like 8 years ago and its still one of my most used rods.

[buzzin for bass]

Quote:

---

I too hold the rod with front cork rather than palming the reel. I feel it actually gives me more control and I have no problem working a jerk bait.

---

I agree. I put the butt of the rod under my arm and hold the front cork. It may not solve the arthritis issue, but my arms/hands last a lot longer this way.

[Scoot]

Sorry mtreno, I don't really get your question.

It took me a little while to get used to, but I decided if I wanted to fish for any length of time (e.g., four 14 hour days in a row), I needed to do something different than palming the reel. Rod balance isn't at all an issue and I agree, I can work a jerkbait with as much or more control as when I palmed the reel.

[mtreno]

just new to me i guess - never seen anyone do that - most people either palm the reel or hold it by the trigger like you would a zebco type reel - not in front - was just something i thought i would see how it felt and why you did that - still seems heavy to me with your reel behind your rod hand - but hey, if it helps your hands and keeps ya on the water longer then of course it makes sense. i still wear that stupid tennis elbow deal when on long trips - get way to many questions about that thing.....

i palm my reel - and this long into the season the hands are really strong and nothing will slow them down till we are dealing with the cold. one thing i do early in the season is play around the office with one of those hand strenther deals - they really help getting your hands in shape for the year - that and the luma sitting tighter on the rod making the hands stretch less is a big help as well.

[MuskyBug85]

i have used Dano_the_jigasaurus' compre a few times I think that it is with out a doubt the way to go. Jonah

[RuKiddingMe]

I too like to put the butt under my arm, problem is though I think I'll have to get some extentions built in to the end of the rod as they just seem to short. It is a much easy way to work and your rod snaps for gliders and jerks are a bit stronger also. One other thing I like to work the weagle this way also, seems I get better action and a louder "SWOOSH".

Anyone know where I can get extensions? Thornes? Any idea how much?

RU

[jerk bait]

You could also try using smaller bass sized reels. You can palm them easier and there is less strain on your wrist/hand. I also agree with the other guys and use the cork in front of the reel.

[chief]

sbro73,

The right spinning tackle setup will work extremely well for certain types of muskie fishing. Platics, jigs, and smaller bucktails, in particular, are handled especially well by this equipment.

There are many brand name equipment options available. From a value standpoint, Cabela's Salt Striker rods in 7' or 7 1/2' lengths, rated for lures up to 1oz, are hard to beat. The Pflueger President, or Shimano Sahara or Symetre reels in the 4000 series are a sensible starting point.

Spool these with superlines in the 35 to 40# range, and you should be good to go.

[markkstanley]

I have a St Croix MH spinning rod with a saltwater spinning reel loaded with Power Pro. I mostly throw Bull Dawgs, bucktails and spinners with it but can fish anything I want with this setup. The drag will handle any musky. Easy to fish all day. Added bonus no bird's nests.

[traveler]

Same here; St Croix inshore series rod with salt spinner/power pro. Great outfit, and it gives the hands a change of pace once in a while.