New Rod Q

[Esox_Magnum]

Need a rod for cowgirls, thinking of a Sling Blade or getting a Loomis Steel blank built. Whats your guys opinion on cowgirl rods?? Prefer a 8'6"+ and its primary duty will be DCG's only. I have other rods for everything else.

[propster]

I know you're looking for an 8'6, but the 8' Legend Tournament MH is an absolutely great rod for throwing and retreiving the 10's. It loads up great for throwing and really helps on hooksets, esp in the 8, to keep 'em hooked and for playing the fish. I'm interested to hear how the Sling Blade compares if anyone's used them? Heavier and stiffer than the 8' MH LT? No exp with the Loomis.

[Dano_the_jigasaurus]

Check out muskyfirst.com, there has been extensive discussion on this topic. Not to steer you away from FM, but this has been a major topic of the musky world.

The sling blade is specifically designed for big blades, the ART and IPC technologies make this blank super strong, yet light. The rod is quite nice is a great option

The steel will likely need to be a custom job, although I haven't used them, from reading and researching the steel has a quick action like the diamondback heavy, it won't load in the 8 with a cowgirl, and the guys that have them like 'em alot.

For me choosing btw the two comes down to what brand do I want and how much am I going to spend, since I am going to build my own the loomis blank is less expensive than the st. croix. They are both great rods and will do what you want them to do just fine.

dan

[Esox_Magnum]

Yes if I go with the Steel it will be built by Thorne Bros. I already have one of their C Series rods and love it.

I have started to read the M1st threads but after a few posts things get out of whack it seems.

I currently have both a Croix and a Loomis rod and love them both, tough decision I guess.

[pauljpollock]

I love the 8 foot MH Top n Tail for throwing normal size 'tails and spinnerbaits and all topwaters. I've used it for big 10's as well, and it's performed well. That being said, the Sling Blade was designed for the big blades and I like the idea of the extra length. I'll have a couple in my boat this season, but I haven't used them yet. The 8 foot MH Premier also performs well with the big blades. The 7'9" Legend Tournament Lipstick is a great rod for cranks/minnowbaits......very easy to work big lipped minnowbaits through the rocks...

Paul.

[Tippman]

I have a St. Croix legend tournament mega swim bait rod I had built out to 8'6". I absolutely love it. I actually use it for many applications but it tosses the big blades very well. Just had the cork replaced with 1.5" stuff for less fatigue. The builder, Kris Krustifek is even displaying it at the Muskie Expo.

[Esox_Magnum]

I'll be at the Expo, will check it out.

[bemidjibasser]

Like Tippman said, you can easily have a custom builder extend a blank to your desired length. I have extended a few that I have built for myself, as well as for others. This will slightly change the action and power of the blank though. Depending on how far it is extended, a split grip is a little more difficult to make look nice.

On a side note, I built a 9' Lamiglas for my brother last year that he uses to throw the big dc's on and he absolutley loves it. I would have to look up the blank #, but it is a saltwater blank. He said it is unreal for figure 8's and added casting distance due to the extra length.

[Esox_Magnum]

Called and talked to Lonnie at Thornes today, I guess they are coming out with a rod of their own that will do what I want. I'll have to wait till the Expo and feel all 3 and decide what one comes home with me. So far after talking to Lonnie the Steel and Thorne Bros rods are in the lead as they can be built out longer than the Croix.

[kenais]

I built a 8-6 rod for bucktails on a Lamiglas Rogue River blank, highly recommend them. I would not fish with a muskie rod that wasn't spiral wrapped (guides transition from the top to the bottom of the blank), if you go custom give it a try.

[bemidjibasser]

Spiral wrapped is absolutely the way to go if you get a custom. It will handle the bigger baits and big fish better by taking the touque out of the blank. In other words, the way a guides on top rod wants to roll over when under a heavy load will be eliminated by going spiral wrapped due to the line being transitioned to the bottom of the blank.

[Tippman]

The custom I referred to is done this way also with spiral wrapped guides. And it has a split grip handle which I do really like and looks nice. There is even a feather display in the open blank area, but that doesn't help catch fish any better!

[Tippman]

Spiral wrapped is absolutely the way to go if you get a custom. It will handle the bigger baits and big fish better by taking the touque out of the blank.

Especially when alone trying to land a big fish in the net!