????? best musky rod/reel combo

jlehn · 02-13-2008, 07:07 AM

I am looking for opinions on a good musky rod/reel combo and what type of line. Thinking of throwing a lot of in line spinners. Maybe 70 pound of braided line. thanks for your input

**Catfishsteve** · 02-13-2008, 11:03 AM

I don't think you'd have to go as heavy as 70 lb. braid, but I do love braided line for throwing in-lines at pike a lot. I think I have 30 lb. braid on my rig, which is a Abu 5600 and a medium 6'0" Ugly Stick. For muskies, you could go up to a 6500, and a bit heavier line and rod. I do love those Ugly Sticks. I go with the lightest line I can when fishing for esox because I believe in throwing the bait a long way in order to get it in front of fish that aren't yet spooked by the boat. You'd be surprised how many big, big fish drift and fall away into the deep as the boat comes along. You hardly ever see them and only more rarely catch them. I like to throw those big mepps bucktails clear out of sight!! I like the 5600 because it seems I can throw baits a bit further with it than the 6500 with the #5's and #4 Mepps I throw for pike. If you're throwing the bigger bucktails, you could probably do well with a 6500 and 40 or 50 lb. braid. I really don't think you'd be underpowered for muskie with a 5600 sized reel though as long as the drag was in good shape. I think the 5600 and the 6500 have the exact same drag discs in them anyway, so you might was well throw the reel that lets you toss that bait farther.

Brian · 02-13-2008, 05:57 PM

My bucktail & spinnerbait setup is a 7'10" Fig Rig paired with a Abu 5601, spooled with 80# Power Pro.

Don't worry to much about spending a buttwad of money on a bucktail combo... Your money will be best spent looking for a good medium-power rod with a m-fast action. In fact, the Cabelas muskie rod is actually pretty decent, and only costs like 60 bucks...I have one as a backup rod.

The reel you should buy is primarily dependent on the size of your bucktails. If you're throwing only #5 Mepps, or bass-size spinnerbaits, at 'em...you'll never wear out a reel. However, if your bucktail inventory consists of the double-bladed Cowgirls or the 11" Eagle Tails, just resign yourself to purchasing a new reel every year - versus spending $500 on a "fancy" reel, you'll be money ahead in the long run. Reel manufacturers do not build reels for Muskie fishermen, plain and simple.

Abu makes a very good reel for a fair price. Under normal conditions, it'll provide many years of reliable service. Under our "special" conditions, they're not too expensive that they can't be replaced easily.

- Brian

Pike Hunter · 02-13-2008, 07:49 PM

Been using a Abu 6600 with 65# Power Pro and 7000 with 80# Stren braid the past few years. Havent landed any monsters, but hopefully this is the year.

jlehn · 02-14-2008, 03:43 AM

seems like everyone likes the ABU either 5600 or 6600. Does anyone have an opinion on the Shimano Calcutta. Seems to be on the pricer side.

Brian · 02-14-2008, 05:31 AM

I've had anti-reverse problems on Calcutta's before so I switched to the Diawa Luna.

I will say one thing for Shimano, though - their service after the sale is absolutely TOP NOTCH.

- B

Musky Dreamin · 02-29-2008, 03:55 PM

I use an 8' St. Croix and a 7'6" St. Croix with Abu 7000's loaded with 80# Power Pro. I throw nearly nothing but top water and bucktails, sometimes throw in a Suick just cause I like em so much.

My trolling pole is a 6' Ugly Stick with a Cabellas Gold line counter reel, call me crazy but it works well. Dont troll much, but there you go.

I really like the snap the 8' St. Croix provides. It really lets me enlarge the strike zone.

Sandbilly · 03-02-2008, 09:00 AM

Custom Muskie & Pike Rods

I do zero musky fishing in the summer, but use their ice rods. Best rods in the business, hands down.

Contact Pat Smith @ Thorne Bros. and tell him what you are looking for. The conversation may take awhile.

dc

esoxjunkie · 04-10-2008, 05:52 PM

I've had my three Calcutta TE's since they first came out, and have had several years of trouble free fishing with them. They all wear GLoomis muskie series rods. I do keep an Abu 7001 strapped to another GLoomis for cranking in Double Cowgirls.

Jamie

Fish4Fun · 04-11-2008, 10:20 PM

I have an Abu Garcia Tournament combo. The real and rod are excellent and can cast all applications. The legnth of the rod is 6"9 and can throw up to 5 oz baits. As far as line I don't have anything fancy just silverthread but many anglers like Suffix Braid. Abu Garcia is a pretty trusted big fish real although Shimano is another good choice. Bass Pro has a Pete Mania fishing outfit they may be worth checking out.

ogrefish · 05-17-2008, 05:32 PM

Brian, Shimano did have a run of problems with the drags and the anti-reverse on Calcutta's when they first came out but they took care of those problems. I fish with guys running calcutta 400 CT's and the high-buck CTE's with great results. I have a gob of Abu's and sent four of them for service and the new carbon matrix drag disks. The Bucktail you want to run will determine which reel you want. If you are burning small #4 & #5 french blade bucks you might prefer a C-4 with 6.3:1 gears, for most other bucks you will want a 5.3:1 retrieve, but with the monsters like Double Cowgirls you want a 7000 with 4:1 ratio.
Hey, Pikehunter, are you the same one from the old forum? Have you beat up the "great lakes fish yet"?

02-13-2008, 07:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
jlehn jlehn has no status. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 60 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	????? best musky rod/reel combo I am looking for opinions on a good musky rod/reel combo and what type of line. Thinking of throwing a lot of in line spinners. Maybe 70 pound of braided line. thanks for your input

02-29-2008, 03:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
Musky Dreamin Musky Dreamin is needing to shake the cobwebs outa the bucktails Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Auburn NE Posts: 308 Thanks: 16 Thanked 12 Times in 9 Posts	I use an 8' St. Croix and a 7'6" St. Croix with Abu 7000's loaded with 80# Power Pro. I throw nearly nothing but top water and bucktails, sometimes throw in a Suick just cause I like em so much. My trolling pole is a 6' Ugly Stick with a Cabellas Gold line counter reel, call me crazy but it works well. Dont troll much, but there you go. I really like the snap the 8' St. Croix provides. It really lets me enlarge the strike zone. __________________ Yesterdays tomorrow is today!

04-10-2008, 05:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
esoxjunkie esoxjunkie is anxiously awaiting hard water Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 176 Thanks: 19 Thanked 36 Times in 29 Posts	Calcutta/GLoomis I've had my three Calcutta TE's since they first came out, and have had several years of trouble free fishing with them. They all wear GLoomis muskie series rods. I do keep an Abu 7001 strapped to another GLoomis for cranking in Double Cowgirls. Jamie

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02-13-2008, 11:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
Catfishsteve Catfishsteve is Getting ready to move... fun, fun fun! Director Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Plattsmouth, NE Certified Youth Fishing Instructor NEFGA Line Recycling Volunteer Posts: 7,776 Thanks: 204 Thanked 544 Times in 170 Posts	I don't think you'd have to go as heavy as 70 lb. braid, but I do love braided line for throwing in-lines at pike a lot. I think I have 30 lb. braid on my rig, which is a Abu 5600 and a medium 6'0" Ugly Stick. For muskies, you could go up to a 6500, and a bit heavier line and rod. I do love those Ugly Sticks. I go with the lightest line I can when fishing for esox because I believe in throwing the bait a long way in order to get it in front of fish that aren't yet spooked by the boat. You'd be surprised how many big, big fish drift and fall away into the deep as the boat comes along. You hardly ever see them and only more rarely catch them. I like to throw those big mepps bucktails clear out of sight!! I like the 5600 because it seems I can throw baits a bit further with it than the 6500 with the #5's and #4 Mepps I throw for pike. If you're throwing the bigger bucktails, you could probably do well with a 6500 and 40 or 50 lb. braid. I really don't think you'd be underpowered for muskie with a 5600 sized reel though as long as the drag was in good shape. I think the 5600 and the 6500 have the exact same drag discs in them anyway, so you might was well throw the reel that lets you toss that bait farther.

02-13-2008, 05:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
Brian Brian has no status. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 178 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	My bucktail & spinnerbait setup is a 7'10" Fig Rig paired with a Abu 5601, spooled with 80# Power Pro. Don't worry to much about spending a buttwad of money on a bucktail combo... Your money will be best spent looking for a good medium-power rod with a m-fast action. In fact, the Cabelas muskie rod is actually pretty decent, and only costs like 60 bucks...I have one as a backup rod. The reel you should buy is primarily dependent on the size of your bucktails. If you're throwing only #5 Mepps, or bass-size spinnerbaits, at 'em...you'll never wear out a reel. However, if your bucktail inventory consists of the double-bladed Cowgirls or the 11" Eagle Tails, just resign yourself to purchasing a new reel every year - versus spending $500 on a "fancy" reel, you'll be money ahead in the long run. Reel manufacturers do not build reels for Muskie fishermen, plain and simple. Abu makes a very good reel for a fair price. Under normal conditions, it'll provide many years of reliable service. Under our "special" conditions, they're not too expensive that they can't be replaced easily. - Brian

02-13-2008, 07:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
Pike Hunter Pike Hunter is ready for first ice. Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bennington Posts: 1,083 Thanks: 17 Thanked 29 Times in 26 Posts	Been using a Abu 6600 with 65# Power Pro and 7000 with 80# Stren braid the past few years. Havent landed any monsters, but hopefully this is the year.

02-14-2008, 03:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
jlehn jlehn has no status. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 60 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	seems like everyone likes the ABU either 5600 or 6600. Does anyone have an opinion on the Shimano Calcutta. Seems to be on the pricer side.

02-14-2008, 05:31 AM	#6 (permalink)
Brian Brian has no status. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 178 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I've had anti-reverse problems on Calcutta's before so I switched to the Diawa Luna. I will say one thing for Shimano, though - their service after the sale is absolutely TOP NOTCH. - B

03-02-2008, 09:00 AM	#8 (permalink)
Sandbilly Sandbilly has no status. Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mullen Ne Certified Youth Fishing Instructor Posts: 578 Thanks: 176 Thanked 189 Times in 83 Posts	Custom Muskie & Pike Rods I do zero musky fishing in the summer, but use their ice rods. Best rods in the business, hands down. Contact Pat Smith @ Thorne Bros. and tell him what you are looking for. The conversation may take awhile. dc

04-11-2008, 10:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
Fish4Fun Fish4Fun has no status. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 219 Thanks: 1 Thanked 12 Times in 10 Posts	I have an Abu Garcia Tournament combo. The real and rod are excellent and can cast all applications. The legnth of the rod is 6"9 and can throw up to 5 oz baits. As far as line I don't have anything fancy just silverthread but many anglers like Suffix Braid. Abu Garcia is a pretty trusted big fish real although Shimano is another good choice. Bass Pro has a Pete Mania fishing outfit they may be worth checking out.

05-17-2008, 05:32 PM	#11 (permalink)
ogrefish ogrefish has no status. Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 40 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Brian, Shimano did have a run of problems with the drags and the anti-reverse on Calcutta's when they first came out but they took care of those problems. I fish with guys running calcutta 400 CT's and the high-buck CTE's with great results. I have a gob of Abu's and sent four of them for service and the new carbon matrix drag disks. The Bucktail you want to run will determine which reel you want. If you are burning small #4 & #5 french blade bucks you might prefer a C-4 with 6.3:1 gears, for most other bucks you will want a 5.3:1 retrieve, but with the monsters like Double Cowgirls you want a 7000 with 4:1 ratio. Hey, Pikehunter, are you the same one from the old forum? Have you beat up the "great lakes fish yet"?