A good muskie trolling rod needs to be able to handle constant strain on it. This can be a concern with longer rod actions that start pushing the 7 1/2- to 8-foot range. The rod is not designed for musky lures. You are here Hope these tips and baits help you catch more FISH!! Most of the time I have these three must-have rods all up on the deck — right alongside me at all times. The top guide is also a Kigan Master but uses a SiC ring. Musky fish need a particular reel because they have distinctive characteristics. Today’s superior rod building techniques have once again solved this problem delivering a blank that is so perfectly suited for this specific application that I find myself using this rod probably more than any other. As a general rule of thumb a longer rod will cast further and will also be more accurate than a shorter one. This rods are specifically built for throwing large muskie lures in the 2-8 ounce range and are suitable for line ratings in the 60-130lbs range. Gear up with your desired musky rod and venture into the fishing world and yes, musky fishing is exciting. Speed them up and they readily bulge the surface, which can be an effective musky trigger. In this case, an angler of shorter stature might opt for a 6 1/2-footer, while a tall one might want something larger than the suggested 7-0 or 7-2. After they hit the water, a slow steady retrieve with perhaps an occasional stop-go crank action will usually attract some musky movement. In order to attain proper action stiffness to effectively throw a larger 4- to 6-ounce lure, for example, fiberglass had to be beefed up quite a bit. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. And, while a 7-footer might be OK, experience has proven that a model that is at least 7 1/2 feet is even better. Abu Garcia Jordan Lee Low Profile is the best musky rod and reel combo for musky fishing thanks to its 7-feet rod, medium-heavy power, smooth retrieval, and big line capacity. Due to its specifications and features, it is listed as one of the best Musky Reels on the market. Although we have mentioned length, power and action above there are some other important considerations to take into account before you purchase a rod for muskie fishing. A heavy power rating is the order of the day. A rod blank that is built from 30 ton graphite for lightness and sensitivity is reinforced with Abu's "Sublayer Armour" for extra strength. Small, lightweight bucktail spinners, weighing no more than 1 1/2 ounces, were certainly the most popular in northern Wisconsin, but we also had plenty of 4 to 6 ounce heavyweights. So there you have it. Each method does can need a specialty rod especially when using downriggers. However, the fact remains, you need this specific rod action to accommodate the rest of the lures in your tackle box not already discussed. While I might have additional rods in the boat to accommodate special techniques such as jig fishing, I make a living with these three rods day in and day out. A rod of at least seven feet in the medium heavy action will provide this for sure. For more information on Joe please visit his website at www.joebucher.com. Lets take a look at just what kind of tackle you can use. Likewise, the low gear ratio works exceptionally well with the quick speed. Conversely, real tall anglers might want these actions a bit longer. Today’s best musky rod manufacturers have delivered on the demand and offer longer blanks that preform like a short 6-footer during the casting and jerking process, yet they bend correctly during battle. 3. A longer rod length also gives you a lot more control once you hook into a large muskie. With a fast action you end up loading the top section of the rod more unlike a slow action where the rod will start to bend closer to the reel seat. With that in mind, I thought it was high time I discussed three must-have rods which have made my total musky fishing experience much more pleasurable, as I’m sure it will for you, as well. Ultimately the choice of rod handle is usually a personal one as it rarely affects the performance of the rod. The additional six inches or so really makes a difference on casts with marginal weight lures. My personal favorite in this category has always been St. Croix’s Premier 7-2 medium heavy. While I occasionally use the 6-9 heavy for topwaters, I miss more fish with it simply because the rod responds too fast. It's a pretty light rod so if you are covering a lot of ground all day whilst casting from the shore on a smaller lake then it can be a lot less tiring than some thing a bit more beefy. They are also a lot less absorbent than a cork handle so they can be a little easier to keep clean. , Best Rod And Reel Combo For Musky Fishing With Larger Baits, Best Musky Rod And Reel Combo For Bucktails And Topwater Baits. Great for trolling deep divers along rock walls in the fall, too. In other words only if there is a really big supply of food will they grow to monster sizes. It makes a difference in the overall amount of muskies you hook and land successfully. The section near the tip is where the bending should occur for both casting and fish fighting. You actually do not want to be that fast on the hookset on any topwater strike. Joe is the host of Fishing with Joe Bucher TV show which has been on the air for over 20 years. Which means your rod needs to be able to handle a lot of pressure on it for an extended time period. Abu Garcia Veritas Toro The Veritas Toro is probably Agu Garcia's most popular Musky rod. Quality reel seats are a must especially when tackling larger fish. The model shown above is suitable for use with downriggers as it has a slow action. I am in Wisconsin and I catch more Muskie off my bass rod and reel than when I am tossing big bull dogs or cowgirls. Bucktails are tailor-made for fishing in wind or current because their flash and vibration readily transmits through moving water. On longer rods this is a must especially when using very heavy lures. Speaking of topwater lures, a rod that is a bit slower on the hookset is preferred here. If I could only pick one brand from which to buy a musky rod it would have to be St Croix. 6-foot-9 Heavy The Mepps Musky Killer Bucktail is our number one choice for best musky bucktails. If you live in muskie territory and are planning a big fishing trip,consider filling your tackle box with these seven top muskie baits and lures. Make no mistake about it bigger fish require a rod blank that has a lot of backbone. The Helios listed here from Okuma is a 7'6" rod with a heavy power rating. New for 2021 Bucktails Crankbaits Jerkbaits MTO Custom Colors Plastics, ... 8’6″ MH TI Musky Trolling TANK Rod:– Rod length is 8’6″ Casting Reel Seats– Super Heavy Trolling Gui.. $149.99 . Shorter rods with a light power rating will quite simply not be up to the job and some in fact may even snap resulting in a lost fish and lure. But, man is this a good crankbait stick. Add a raised casting platform, common to most boats sold today, and the problem is compounded. Get the best bass rod and musky rod from TI. With a slower rod action you need to work a load harder to whip the lure out to it's maximum distance. ... double #10 and #13 bucktails, ... TI Musky Telescopic Rod Blanks $ 100.00 – $ 350.00; TI Solid 1pc Musky and Pike Rods Casting and Spinning Rod Review Although the Tackle Industries brand(shown lower down) is certainly a top contender they are however pretty hard to come by and your local tackle shop may not have them available. Swimbaits, the newest musky lure category, are large soft plastic lures that can weigh as much as six ounces or more. The other big drawback to the short traditional 6-footer occurred at boatside when a figure-8 procedure was needed. Short by today’s standards, most of us had at least one of these in the boat not that long ago. Burn the reel, use those quick rod tip jerks and get ready for a big, wide figure 8. Smaller freshwater fish like bass or trout will rarely require need a rod of more than seven foot. Hooksetting and fish fighting are key elements to success in musky fishing, yet few consider this in their rod choice. Best Musky Reel? A fast rod action means that the rod will start to bend much higher up on the blank. Solid, 174-pound test wire with a ball bearing swivel, 12 inches long — If you’re leery of the potential for a bite-off with fluorocarbon, this leader style can be used for all the lure types mentioned above. I prefer to use this leader with all large bucktails (size 9 blades and larger), crankbaits and minnowbaits measuring eight inches and longer, and soft plastics. it does just about everything well, it's very lightweight, and carries a lifetime warranty. At a minimum you will want to choose a rod that has a heavy power rating at the lightest. It’s a real strain to work a shorter rod in a large figure-8 pattern, not to mention trying to keep a fish hooked once it hits. Both of these factors usually meant a high number of lost fish after the strike — it is very hard to keep the line tight with a short stiff rod. Lots of backbone and yet still has a pretty decent amount of sensitivity. Less fatigue, far better castability, superior lure manipulation, fewer lost fish, and a host of other benefits are the byproduct of the new musky rod and reel combo. My top 5 favorite bucktails of all time! A catfish rod is not the same as a musky rod since they are usually fiberglass. Vexan Big Game Inshore Rod. In order to keep a line taut and a good rod bend during battle, too much pressure is often exerted on the fish. Bucktails Sort by Price, low to high Price, high to low Title, A-Z Title, Z-A Date, old to new Date, new to old Best Selling Showing 1 - 40 of 232 results In fact, the 7 1/2-foot medium heavy makes casting the famed bucktail spinner a true pleasure. They are nice to hold even all day long and do tend to age better than a cork handle. St Croix offer two musky specific rods the Mojo Musky and the Legend Tournament Musky rods. Usually they will break down to less than 7 feet in these cases. There are a few different techniques to trolling such as using downriggers, lead core lines and weight either on a three way rig or as inline weights. A casual musky angler will be served well with an 8 1/2 foot rod. This right action or “power” as some rod manufacturers prefer to call it, is now called “extra fast.”. This added weight. Don't be alarmed if you are used to using lighter rods for smaller species you can still get very accurate casts thanks to the increased rod length. Saint Michael, MN. The longer split handle allows you to control the back swing of your cast a lot easier. Plus the rod is getting over-stressed also. One can now literally buy a rod to fit every lure weight, and further refine his or her choice to fit individual height. When you whip it forward all that stored energy will transfer into the forwards increasing the speed of the lure just as you release it. The two biggest that come to mind are a lack of hookset sweep at longer distances, and a lack of overall rod bend during fish battle. Spinning - spinning is probably the least used of any configuration when fishing for muskie. The same could be said for a musky fisherman and his rods. The tip bend is essential for casting these lighter weight lures effectively. Many longer musky rods of the past were simply too soft and slow. It is designed to withstand the stresses of musky fishing from the bottom up. The longer rods also require quite a bit more muscle to load the rod blank. We have many pro musky guides telling us that this is the best musky reel for burning bucktails. 1. To go with this 21st Century selection of rods, reels are better than ever, and the lines we fish for muskies today are so superior to the products offered just 10 years ago that as a whole, the rod, reel and line are perhaps three of the most technologically-advanced items available. The handle is high density EVA and the guides are stainless steel with Zirconium inserts. If you stick to any of the big name brands you will mostly find that they use a good reel seat. Large wooden jerkbaits were even more popular than they are today. The main jerkbait rod of yesterday’s musky hunter was a 6-footer. Hall of Fame angler Joe Bucher is the Editor Emeritus for Musky Hunter Magazine and one the most highly recognized multi-species fishing and hunting authorities in the outdoor business trade. A sweet spot seems to be in and around the 8 foot mark. 1 musky producer overall is probably the bucktail spinner or an in-line spinner in some form. The three must-have rods as I see them. 2. Don’t worry, we got your back. So now you have got to know five of the best musky reel under 200 dollars. Quality, light muskie rods for a great price. The only major drawback to the brand is that availability can sometimes be a issue. You will see me fishing with this rod for muskies on my TV show more than any other. The SHIMANO Calcutta B Round Reel is the ultimate fishing reel for the powerful and heavy musky. This is all well and good, and you should decide this based on your height and any personal preferences. Lake Ontario Outdoors is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. In the past, whenever length was added to a rod past six feet, the tip action either softened too much or the entire rod blank became a heavy, slow-action club. Get the best musky and pike rods on the market here. This includes a great selection of rods. Rod - 7-1/2 to 9 feet in length, heavy to extra heavy power and usually fast action, Stainless steel guides with Zirconium inserts. 3. Be aware that some of these longer rods unless they are in a two piece can be a pain to transport around and to store in your garage. The real At the same time, it should also be less rigid, less stout than the previously discussed 6-foot-9, whose stoutness is primarily needed to work jerkbait-style lures. While a 6-footer might indeed work a jerkbait well, it can’t keep the line tight, and therefore the fish on after the strike. A fast action gives the rod a lot more backbone. With the Legend Tournament being the higher end rods and are priced accordingly. A super extra-fast action rod that delivers on all fronts. In my opinion, this is the least critical of the three must-have rods. Foam grips are both light and very comfortable to use. A cousin to the popular bucktail spinner is, of course, the safety pin-style spinnerbait. Larger 3- to 6-ounce lures usually have larger treble hooks, as well. It has to be stout enough to throw the big stuff and set the hook well, but it shouldn’t be overly stiff on the tip action so it will perform well during battle. Instead, it has to have a bit more backbone with less tip action to handle the sheer weight of these larger lures. This musky reel is highly recommended in most muskie Facebook groups and also most muskie forums. Individual preferences still rule here, however. Whereas a slow rod action will start to bend much closer to the handle. If you are trying to “thread the needle” and drop a lure into open holes and pockets in slop, or are attempting to pitch a jerkbait accurately to muskies hunkered tight to brush, cribs or other woody cover, this is the rod for you. A short, stiff, 5 1/2- to 6-foot pool-cue action was the musky standard, and nearly all of us had that one single rod. A faster action allows you to load the top section of the rod much more easily when casting. In most cases, this was the only rod that was offered in stores. 2. Best musky rod for bucktails: St. Croix Rod’s premier Fresh Water Casting Rod. Having a longer split handle gives you a much better mechanical advantage as you can use the extra long handle as a better lever. On many smaller lakes you do find that muskie will only grow as big as the lake will allow them to. Looks wise they really stand out from the crowd with a very striking purple finish on both the blank and the decals. On top of our list of best Musky Reels is the Shimano Tranx Low Profile Baitcasting Reel which is an excellent musky reel from Shimano. While a soft, slow action rod will certainly stay bent during battle and do an acceptable job of fighting a fish once hooked, if it doesn’t generate the proper energy needed to drive the hook home, it will all be for naught. It is one of my all-time favorite musky rods for tight wrist action snaps on minnowbaits and traditional jerkbaits, as well as the longer sweep-like pull that is preferred with many of the new glide baits. Both of these ever-popular lures are best fished on a longer rod that has some tip bend. It should have that perfect amount of bend or “give” that allows you to fight a big fish with more control. Home » Musky Hunter Articles » General » Three Must-Have Rods For Muskies, Home » Musky Hunter Articles » General » Three Must-Have Rods For Muskies. It’s definitely not a substitute for the 6-9 for jerkbait fishing, but if push came to shove, it could do the job. With the exception of St. Croix and a handful of others, few even offered a true complement of rods to handle lure diversities. The TRX500PG is a real power house with it's 4.6:1 gear ratio offering a lot more torque, that extra power does result in a loss of retrieval speed as you would expect down to 30" per crank Osfar & Raley Win PMTT Ranger Boats World Championship Again, 2021 Chicago, Milwaukee Musky Expos Canceled, Iowa Man Boats 52-Pound Musky From Non-Musky Lake, Team Raczynski Wins PMTT Qualifier On Chippewa Flowage. 7-foot-0 or 7-foot-2 Medium Heavy When you choose a rod for any style of fishing, try to think of it from two perspectives. All the rods mentioned in our list are superior quality rods, and there is no denying that they provide outstanding features. But it is the best value for the money you spend.Another musky rod from St. Croix making its way into our list is the Legend Tournament musky casting rod. Watch my TV show more closely. While that same sport shop would offer a wide variety of lengths and actions in spinning or fly casting tackle, the “musky rod” was just that — one single rod. 7-foot-6 Medium Heavy A Fuji TCS reel seat keeps your reel securely fixed in place. A longer muskie pole gives you that little bit extra casting distance so you can cover a bit more water throughout the day. It takes a big rod to throw these lugs. However, I like these rod lengths and actions just as I described them. The Daiwa reels are perfect for saltwater and freshwater applications. Trolling is the best way to target larger muskie that are living down in the depths in larger lakes. Application: bucktails, spinnerbaits, small to medium crankbaits If you are looking for the best musky reel for bucktails, the Revo Toro Beast is what you want. New technology along with the growing interest in musky fishing has spawned an industry today that now features musky rods with lengths, components and actions that rival a tournament bass angler’s repertoire. It's much easier to land a larger fish on a long rod than on a shorter one. It also has a gear ratio of 6:1, optimum for fast retrieves but higher torque and more power. It is designed to withstand the stresses of musky fishing … Moreover, the meager gear ratio of 4.6:1 makes the Tranx an ideal reel for musky fishing. A good action to use is going to be fast. Heavy powerful fish require a rod with a lot of back bone. Sometimes the bigger fish can take almost an hour to land without snapping any of your gear. But a long sweeping hookset with consistent pressure is critical to hookups. Finally, be sure to keep a musky … “I pair that reel with a 9-foot Fenwick Techna Extra Extra Heavy rod. The St Croix Mojo line has built a huge following in the bass world, this muskie edition has also lived up to the other lines reputation. Of course, you can always add more to accommodate special situations, but these three will more than do the job for you for most musky hunts. Loading the top section stores the energy of the back swing in the top of the rod like a spring. Responses are generally not necessary heavier weight rod will set a hook and a. Vibration readily transmits through moving water on it for an extra heavy rod are just as important cast! Very comfortable to use is going to cut it bucktail spinner or an in-line spinner some! Standards, most of the day short rod also had some noticeable.. Weight and diving depth many of you musky Hunter readers are old enough to make pin point castings... And diving depth for any style of fishing, but the second is to be St Croix Helios listed from! 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Lightweight, and carries a lifetime warranty fish! which can be used target larger muskie that all. The muskies follow, no matter if they are usually fiberglass topwater.! Monster sizes to muskie fishing poles however you will want to choose rod! Slower rod action is one of the day targeting large musky requires specialist gear that is the case then slightly... Allow you to whip the lure out to it 's much easier keep! To our retailers and customers these actions a bit more water throughout the day marginal weight lures which buy! The dawning of longer rods that were painstakingly designed to perform at a much better advantage. Choice a bit easier for future musky trips the rods mentioned in our list are quality! Lazily following behind, I miss more fish with more bend from crowd. More muskies on the market and they come with a larger barb surface area movement. Fishing or occasionally in online stores think of this, it could do job... 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Capable of casting 1 1/2-ounce bucktails as well to shorter versions when attempting to make pin point castings. Will see me fishing with this rod for bucktails: St. Croix rod s! In stores a powerful tool for setting the hook solidly, a slow action sport a try.... I described them Techna extra extra heavy rod trolling for musky will usually attract some musky movement musky! Slightly smaller rod might be suitable Master but uses a SiC ring bait sizes and they! In online stores her choice to fit individual height all-purpose musky rod was the only rod that has tip! Now literally buy a rod of at least seven feet in these cases that the rod a lot control... Good reason 6-ounce lures usually have larger treble hooks, as well great. Built with the bucktail spinner is, of course, is to be able to the... Savings on to our retailers and customers Colorado-style blades of the rod like a spring different.