Musky Casting Rod & Reel Help

670 Views 14 Replies 9 Participants Last post by BrokenWing, Jun 18, 2009

jb10

Discussion Starter · Jun 17, 2009

Need some help fellas. Last year there was a good thread on musky rod and reel combos for casting. I tried doing a search but could not find it so I am hoping you can help me out. I need to buy a solid bait casting rod and reel without breaking the bank. I was hoping to not have to pay much more than $200 total. I hear Bass Pro Shop had a fair price on a rod and reel but couldn't remember the guys brand. Please help as I can need something with a better bearing ratio. I was hurting last year after a day of casting large bucktails.

On a side note. Did get 25 very nice size perch from a weedbed on the north end of the dumping grounds Saturday evening. Big one were all on large minnows.

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Zib

· #2 · Jun 17, 2009 (Edited by Moderator)

Since you are limited to $200. A Pflueger Trion reel ($100 at Cabelas) & a Cabela's Tourney Trail rod ($60).

With large bladed bucktails go with a lower gear ratio & point the rod at the lure & let the reel do the work, not the rod.

G

· #3 · Jun 17, 2009

Pete Mania rod reel bait casting combos.Hope that helps.

Bob 690

BrokenWing

· #4 · Jun 17, 2009

Gander Mountain also has some nice cheaper rods , if there is anything ever cheap about musky fishing...

jb10

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 17, 2009

Thanks guys. If I was willing to go up in the $300-$400 range, what would be my options?

muskie_caster

· #6 · Jun 17, 2009

My own personal set ups now and when I was guiding full time were Okuma Induron IDX400's and Diamondback 7'6" musky casting rods. The induron runs about $110 and the Diamondback rod is about $200. The Induron is an excellent reel for the price and the Diamondaback is by far the best rod I have ever used for musky. I got rid of my Gloomis rods. Ive had a number of people that brought the basspro musky combo on my boat had the reels break.

heimskr

· #7 · Jun 17, 2009

I bought a abu garcia ambass 6501 & a heavy action ugly stick. It was around 150 total. I works great & wont kill the bank!

muskiebobsr

· #8 · Jun 17, 2009

I use a custom built 7 1/2 foot Med Heavy at $200.00 and a Garcia Record at $150.00 for under $400.00 very hard to beat.

jb10

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 17, 2009

Thanks again. That definitely gives me some options. Another question. What type and weight line do you like to use with those combos?

Zib

· #10 · Jun 17, 2009

QUOTE(jb10 @ Jun 17 2009, 10:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Thanks again. That definitely gives me some options. Another question. What type and weight line do you like to use with those combos?

Use anywhere from 50 Lb to 80 Lb braid. It's all about personal preference. I use 50 Lb but will be going up to 65 Lb on one of my reels for my heavier lures.

Large Mouth Peks

· #11 · Jun 17, 2009 (Edited by Moderator)

I need a new casting rod too. I have a Abu 6500C3...what's a good match for that? I do not want to spend over $200 at final check out.

8.5' Med/Heavy is all I know I want.

So, stay clear of G-Lommis? I was thinking St Croix....any suggestions to match up this reel would be appreciated. Thanks.

G

· #12 · Jun 17, 2009

I buy a quality rod with a great warranty.That is why I buy ST.Croix and if you buy a rod like a premier and use it for say a year you can upgrade it for a avid.They depreciate 10.00 a year plus shipping,not a bad deal.Then the following year you can go to the Legend tournament,same thing 10.00 plus shipping and you end up with the grand daddy.Now about fishing line I have tried every braid out there,the three I like are Musky Braid,Courtland,and Power pro[I know it soaks up a lot of water plus the dye comes off but it lasts a long time]The reason I like 80lb or 100lb the line does not cut into it self on the spool,and you don't get the professional over runs.Not that we need to use such heavy because the fish are going to break the line.

Bob 690

Jefffishalot

· #13 · Jun 17, 2009

QUOTE(jb10 @ Jun 16 2009, 09:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Need some help fellas. Last year there was a good thread on musky rod and reel combos for casting. I tried doing a search but could not find it so I am hoping you can help me out. I need to buy a solid bait casting rod and reel without breaking the bank. I was hoping to not have to pay much more than $200 total. I hear Bass Pro Shop had a fair price on a rod and reel but couldn't remember the guys brand. Please help as I can need something with a better bearing ratio. I was hurting last year after a day of casting large bucktails.

On a side note. Did get 25 very nice size perch from a weedbed on the north end of the dumping grounds Saturday evening. Big one were all on large minnows.

I Really like the 6500 series ambassadeurs! I have 1 on a 7ft Browning med heavy w/ 50lb braided and the other on 7ft med heavy Gander mountain guide series with 25lb flouracarbon, I use 80lb braided line for leaders and rig them myself inexpensive and effective, at least until I catch some of the fish I have been seeing on this website, I can't wait to have that kind of problem!!!!

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Nautical Mile bp

· #14 · Jun 17, 2009

A SHIMANO CURADO 300E WITH A SHIMANO COMPRE 8' 0R 8.6' FA MH ROD. REEL $219 & ROD $115

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BrokenWing

· #15 · Jun 18, 2009

A custom rod is not that much more. I would look into one of those.

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