Bucktail rod

[MuskyRookie]

What is the best all around bucktail rod to throw med & large bucktails? (Length and flex)

[RK]

Hiya -

As far as brands go, everyone has their favorites (I use Diamondbacks), and several companies will make rods for this application that can range from serviceable to stellar. It just depends on how much you want to spend. But generally speaking, for med to large bucktails I'd consider something in the 7'5" to 8' range, with a medium-heavy power and fast action. My rod for this kind of thing, as an example, is either a 7'6" MH Diamondback, or a 7'6" Pete Maina Bass Pro shops rod. The Bass Pro rod is a LOT heavier action than the DB, but for big bucktails...sometimes that's necessary, and they're a lot less $$ than a Diamondback. Another one to check out is a rod from the Shimano convergence series. For an $80 rod, they're pretty impressive.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[MuskyBug85]

not to disagree with Rob, but another rod to look at is the 8' shimano Compre, it designed for bucktails and runs around 100 bucks and has a lifetime warrenty that most shimano retailers alow you to walk in a trade staight up for a new one if it breaks so there is no down time while you are waiting for a new one to arive or your old on to be fixed. Just something to keep in mind. Jonah

[MuskieJunkie]

IMO the MH are to light. I bought a 7.5' MH cabelas rod for bucktails and it is to light for most of the bucktails I like to throw. I usually use my friends 8' Shimano Compre-Heavy for bucktails and next time I go to Thorne Bros I am going to buy one for myself.

[RuKiddingMe]

I picked up a Croix Premier 7'6" MH this spring, I'll tell yeah I can comfortably throw just about everything in my box, the bigger jerks gliders and bucktails can be a little much so I'm thinking about picking up the 7'6" H next spring, and I figure between the 2 rods I'll have myself pretty much covered with the exception of a couple other rods I'll use for more specific applications.

A lot of times poeple can tell you their preference but without actually trying them and using them yourself you just can't tell what will work out best for YOU.

I'm not a big guy and the floor in my little boat isn't up very high and that makes even my 7'6" rod a bit cumbersome, I can't even imagine an 8'0" rod. Now when I fish out of my buddies big boat I could see myself throwing the 8'0" no problem. Your size and boat size are both something to consider also.

just some thoughts for y'all

RU

[RK]

Hiya -

Jonah - good point on the Compres. Frankly until they redesigned them I didn't have much use for the Compres (they used to be pool cues) so I sort of tend to forget about them. They have some pretty nice rods in that line now. I guess when you have Jimmy Lindner and Dan Sura help you design rods things get better

Whether an MH or an H will be better really gets mucked up by how different rods that are allegedly the same action can be between companies. Doesn't help that a lot of companies still use one term, like MH or H, to descrobe two distinct and unrelated properties - power and action. Really makes things more confusing than they need to be.

I do though tend to use rods that are a lot lighter in power than a lot of guys do. I throw jerkbaits on a rod a lot of guys would call a bucktail rod. One of the rods I use for topwaters is a bass rod technically, although it's a heavy duty one. A long discussion as to why I use the rods I do, but it's basically personal preference.

Length is a personal preference thing too. I can't remember the last time I used a rod shorter than 7'6" for muskies. But, I have a big boat, plus as I said - I prefer longer and softer rods. This summer I've been using an 8'6" Diamondback for small bucktails. Man you you sling a Lily Tail a long ways. Not 100% sold on it yet - it might be a little too slow - but think it's going to work out ok. Do think though that for my once you get past 8'6" you're reaching the point of diminishing returns.

Have a good, safe weekend everyone.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[cjac]

Good morning,

Personal preference is a common theme here. Golfers like different clubs, baseball players swing different length and weight bats, and muskie anglers do the same.

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Doesn't help that a lot of companies still use one term, like MH or H, to describe two distinct and unrelated properties - power and action. Really makes things more confusing than they need to be.

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Ever been shopping with the Mrs for jeans? If so, you've heard about the differences in size from one company to another! What one company calls something is totally different than another!

RU does call out what is a great all around and economical rod in the 7'6" St Croix Premier. It is the "Jack of all trades" rod in my collection. I have a 7'10" St C. Avid that's actually a heavy bass rod for my smaller muskie smaller bucktails. These rods load up and launch a tail a mile like RK does with the 8'6' rod, a.k.a. his pole vault! This 7'10" rod also doubles as the muskie rod for the Mrs, lighter and easier to handle. Going to get her hooked up on one this Fall!

I have a 8' Thorne Bros rod for the bigger tails, double blade versions, etc. Heavy in power, but enough give, the "action", to load up and get the bait out there. I should say, it is heavy in weight too! DBack rods are lighter, however they leave the wallet feeling lighter too!

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I can't remember the last time I used a rod shorter than 7'6" for muskies.

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I have a 6'9" St C. Premier that I picked up when out last week and it felt like it was 3 feet long! My first thought was "Rack 'em up" I have a new pool cue!

A suggestion: Try fishing with other muskie anglers, mix it up and see and try what they are throwing. It's a great way to "Field test" different rods and reels. Spend a day with a guide and you'll see what they use and rely on for their livelihood, that's a pretty good endorsement of what they believe in!

Why are we working today?

Chris

[cliffy]

I normally carry 4 rods with me when I am fishing...but the one that I use the most for bucktails is my 8 foot st. Croix Premier rod. I bought it a few years ago...I think it was right around 115.00 dollars and I just love it to death. I have other St. Croix Avid and G.Loomis rods that cost a lot more than the Premier..but I don’t like them nearly as much. If you are on a normal budget, I think the 8-foot St.Croix Premier is well worth taking a look at.

Another popular rod on the market is the “Fig Rig”. I don’t know if its already been mentioned in this thread or not. I have several friends that have been very happy with this brand of fishing rod. I have a mix feeling on them...I blew up three (tooth tamer series) last summer on hook sets...I sorta lost confidence in them..and it mostly just sits in the boat. The company was GREAT to work with..just gave them a call and they sent me a replacement free of charge.

Good luck in your search.

Cliffy

[CommonSense Guy]

I agree with RK. I have a 8 foot Compre and it is awesome. Plus you don't have to worry about breaking them. I just returned one that I broke and there were no questions asked

[chief]

Lots of good feedback here, and I'll second the 7'6" St. Croix Premiere. It's a strong value. Also, I'll second the Fig Rig recommendation/commendation. I've spent 3 days this year throwing their ToothTamer series, and they have a great feel to them. But just this summer I've busted two of their bass rods on hooksets (both just behind the rear of the reel seat), but in each case a new replacement was shipped no questions asked for just $10.00 s/h, and I didn't have to ship the broken ones.

I do find myself, more and more, using flipping rods for hair purposes. They seem to load easier. In this situation I'm partial to Bass Pro Shops' Bionic Blade series, but I'm also happy with Fenwick HMX and HMG models.

Good Luck.

[Muskydanno]

I'm on board with two of the choices for the buck and would like to add one. I have an 8 foot st. Croix premier which i love, but a buddy of mine has a Shimano Compre and a Convergence and has had great luck with both of them. Another good bang for 80 bucks is the I-M 8 series of rods from Gander. Pretty light and the 8 footer is excellent for the money but doesnt quite have the back bone of the Croix.