Muskie Rod??

[HuntFishDude]

After trying to throw muskie lures with my rod, I realized that the butt is a little too short. I'm looking for recommendations for a muskie rod ($75-$120). If you'd like to chime in on a decent reel ( ~$100), feel free. Thanks in advance...

[EatSleepFish]

I've heard alot of good things about the new Muskie Innovations Bulldawg Rods and with 11 guides it makes fighting the fish alot easier on account of the rod having a more overall bend with the more guides. Not sure on the price of those though. St. Croix also makes a sweet product and thats what i currently have. Make sure you get a rod that's atleast 7 1/2 ft. long, it kmakes the day alot less painful and it is easier to go deep with your figure eights without having to bend down all the time. If looking for a cheaper reel, go with thte best you can buy, its worth it in the long run...

[SWMuskeye]

For a Rod -- Take a look at the Shimanos, there should be plenty of good options that run anywhere from $70-200. If you're a jerkbait guy, you'll want to stay under 7', otherwise for most other applications 7-8' should be good. I make sure that these rods are rated for 1-5 ounces too.

A great reel for a decent price is the Abu Garcia C5 Mag, its pretty heavy duty, a 5.3 gear ratio and good for everything from jerkbaits to bucktails. It should run about $80.

[Mid-Lake Rock]

You can also have your current rod extended. A friend just had his extended so it is 15" behind the reel. Price was about $25. I have switched to custom rods where I can have my cork the length I want. After seeing that rod extened for $25, a few of my shorter rods are getting extended.

[caseymcq]

I just bought a decent muskie rod from Gander Mountain for $30! I have a Fennwick Technica AV and a couple St. Croix rods. The rod I bought for $30 from Gander was a steal in my opinion.

If you want to spend more there are a few Guide Series models that are $70 - $80. Cabela's Fish Eagle II rods are also pretty nice and go for $80. You might be able to find a St. Croix for around $120.

[upnorth]

Just be aware if you mess with the length of a rod you will alter the action/speed. Adding to the butt section will make the rod faster, not that that a bad thing, just that it will affect it.

[SWMuskeye]

I personally had bad luck with the Cabela's fish eagle rods. I had one shipped to me and on the 2nd cast it split in two. I sent it back for a new one, but found the rod to have very little sensitivity. In my opinion, there are others out there better than the Cabela's fish eagles.

[HuntFishDude]

Great! Thanks for tips guys, now I have some ideas of what to look for.

[not_nuf_time]

The Shimano Compre 7'6" rod is very good at $100.00

[HuntFishDude]

Wow, I was just looking at that rod online. Do you suggest the heavy power or the extra heavy power? The heavy is rated for 3/4 - 2 oz lures while the extra is 2-6 oz. I only have a couple buck tails yet so I don't have a good handle on how heavy some of them may be.

[DeBo101]

I have 3 shimano compres - 8' H, 8' XH, and 7' 2" XH. I think the 8' heavy is the most versatile and you would be very happy throwing bucktails, spinnerbaits, prop baits etc. I would think the 7' 6" would be very comparable to the 8'. If you want to throw heavier baits such as bulldawgs, swimbaits, or hard pulling crankbaits I would suggest the XH. Hard to beat the compres for the price.

[not_nuf_time]

I have the heavy, and throw some heavey lures and it has been plenty good. I haven't tried the extra heavy so hard for me to give a real opinion (thats a change), but your arms do get tired after four or five hours of casting. Don't know if the x-heavy lightens the burden. Maybe someone else can let us know if you had x-heavy if this takes some fatigue out.

[Fish&Fowl]

Shimano or Fenwick. I have the 7' HMX, but would go to 7'6" or 8' if I did it over again.