Three Poles, Three Reels. Which Goes Where?

[TMF89]

Hey guys, I'm upgrading my arsenal this fall to two more poles, and two more reels, putting me at 3 musky combos. I'll have a 6'9 Heay action, a 7' Medium Heavy (but it's a musky rod), and a 7'6 (Medium) Heavy (which should I get?).

As far as reels go, I'll have the 6500CSS (I think that's right, it's a 6500C3 with red paint), a 6500C3, and I'm going to buy a 6400C4, to give me one with a 6:1 gear ratio, good idea?

Alright guys, besides those questions I already asked, here's the main one: Which reels go with which poles?? I figured maybe keep the 6500CSS on the 6'9 it's already on, and use that for trolling. Put the 6400C4 on the 7' Medium Heavy and use that for burning smaller baits, and put the 6500C3 on the 7'6 Heavy to use as a jerkbait/alternative big bait rod?

What do you guys think? The more information, the better! When I'm spending around $220 (I LOVE employee discounts ), I want to make sure it's the right gear! What about line, 65lb on the 7' and 7'6, and 80lb on the 6'9 for trolling?

Again guys, thanks for all your help!

[Rebel9921]

I cannot stress the importance of not getting the C4!!! You are just better off getting all three C3's... Really its your preference to designate which rod for specific tasks... I have one 7'6 MH and I designated that for bucktails/spinnerbaits... I have other 7'0 EH that I designate for jerkbaits/glidebaits/bulldawgs/etc etc... I do have a third rod but thats just the back-up... its a 7'0 Heavy and I could use that for anything as long I put the proper leader on...

[TMF89]

Mind telling me why? As far as I know, the only reason the C3's are better overall are because of the lower gear ratio, but since I plan on using the C4 for small baits only, which I would want to burn faster, isn't that the best application? I've heard it mentioned around here a few times.

[DUCKJ]

If your wanting to burn the big double bladed bucktails I would get the 7000 if I was you. With the C3 and the C4 you have to work hard to get them to burn. With the 7000 it like your tossing small bucktails. Yes they cost a bit more but its well worth it. Less stress on your gear and yourself. If you do choose to get a 7000 put it on your 7'6'. As for the red C3's, I would go the trophy C3 or the C4. For some reason the red C3's real much harder then the others and can ware your arms out pretty fast. For a little more money you will be able to fish alot longer without the sore (or as sore) arms.

My rods, 2 - 8Ft MH, 7000's Bucktails, Plastics, Trolling

2 - 7'6'H, C4's Jerkbaits and inline Top Water

1 - 7ft H, C5(green thumb bar)walk the Dog Top Water

Just dont get somthing to get somthing. Get it so you dont ware yourself out. If its easer on you and its easyer on your gear. Less brake downs all around.

Duck

[TMF89]

About the 7000, I might look into that, the one thing is that I would get the C4 for around 75 bucks, which's 10 dollars off. Also, the red C3 is set in stone, because I already have that. How much exactly is the 7000? Maybe I'll grab the two rods and wait on the reel till christmas. Oh, and which would you get between a St. Croix Premiere, and a Musky Inovations Bulldawg rod? Both 7'6, and would you get it in heavy or go with medium heavy?

[DUCKJ]

You can get the 7000 for around $115. As for the rods, both rods are top notch. I used to have St croix as a sponsor and had zero problems or coplaints with them. Havent owned a dawg rod but have tossed my buddies a couple times and liked it. If your going to go with the 8ft rod MH is the way to go. You can toss just about everything with it.

Duck

[TMF89]

8' just seems a little big to me, can a 7'6 do the same? Any applications where an 8' is more qualified enough to warrant the extra 6"?

[bigbritt]

get the 8ft med heavy premier, the extra 6 gets you a longer cast, better hooks sets and better figure eights. that rod will do all of it very well except maybe for walk the dog stuff. stay away from the dawg rod, its made in china and anyone who has been using the china innovation products will know what i am talking about.

[VMS]

I see nothing wrong with getting the C4 reel so long as it is used in the correct application. I purchased one this year specifically for jerk baits. Reason being, I wanted to pick up slack line quicker than what I could with the C3 models.

With smaller baits (like a #5 vibrax) the C4 would really get that bait burning without much effort.

I would agree with the others about avoiding the use of the C4 for normal sized bucktails and larger. Not only for the reason of being harder to bring in, but for the wear and tear on the reel. Think of it like a 10-speed bike...the higher the gear, the harder it is to pedal the bike. Then, if you go uphill, it's even worse. That is essentially the issue the C4 runs into...it's higher geared so it's harder to work baits that have more resistance.

Steve

[TMF89]

So would you reccomend getting the 7000 instead? I'm not sure of the gear ratio, or spool size (how much line it takes in per turn, if it's bigger than the C4) of the 7000.

[Rebel9921]

Pretty much VMS said it the best with his description of how harder it is with C4 than C3 for reeling in big lures... I basically dont have any small lures... except for couple small bucktails and spoons... but the majority of my lures requires 5.3:1 and pretty much its easier to just pick up a rod/reel and not having to worry about what gear the reel has, just cuz you wanted to use a specific lure... I always bring three rods with me when I go out... and all three have 6600C3 on them... as for 7000... It has lower gear ratio (I think 4.2:1) than C3 and holds more line too... You can go to Abu Garcia's HSOforum and check out the reel info... or you could go to store websites that sells 7000 series and they usually have the info posted up...

[PDXFisher]

I have the 7'6" MH Premier and it is pretty much the rod every one of my friends likes to cast the most (vs 8'6" Lamiglas Hvy and 7'6" Gander IM8 MH). I have a Luna on it and it's a great combo for the smaller things I throw. I picked up a 6'10" Heavy Fig Rig Muskies Inc special edition just to do jerkbaits with and have ended up using it for everything. It throws double cowgirls much better than the other rods I've used (including an 8'6" heavy Lamiglas) and still throws the little stuff very well, too (including Vibrax 5s), which I wasn't expecting at all. I'm not near as tired at the end of the day using it as the others. I really can't say enough good things about that rod. I'm curious to see what the other Fig Rigs throw like now.

[TMF89]

I love my 6'10 fig rig too, I threw all kinds of baits in Canada, but I need another rod. But today made my day, because the benefits of working in the fishing department are: 3 St. Croix rods a year at 55% OFF, and 3 Abu Garcia reels at 55% OFF, and lakemaster chipps, sunglasses, and all other kinds of awesome deals. So now I'm grabbing a Revo SX-HS (AMAZING reel), and 7' MH premiere for a new bass combo as well. And probably a 6' light to use as a crappie/bass pole as well. Sorry to brag, and I know it has nothing to do with muskies or pike, but I just had to tell someone, lol.