Anyone have any suggestions on a cheaper rod and reel setup? I stopped at a local store yesterday and there suggestion was not in the budget at $300. I’d like to keep the price low since i’ll end up picking up two or three since everyone i bring fishing doesn’t fish or doesn’t have gear.
For rods I’d say to run over to JR’s in Brooklyn Park over by Fleet Farm. The guy has some crazy saltwater rods and could probably match you up with some giant spinning reels if you are on a budget..
Don’t be fooled by the website, the guy has a really eclectic store as well.
dbright, you have a PM 
Jrs is pretty sweet. You gotta love the 7 crankbaits for 10 bucks deal.
And the old lady that works there is pretty friendly too, so are her dogs
Hate to say it but might want to check Gander. Its that time of year when they will put some crazy deals on rods. Have you looked at Fleet farm to? Wouldnt be surprised to see them trying to clean out the shelves for winter.
I actually bought a couple rods from the dark side (gander) about a year ago on sale for about $15 each. They were some really cheap guide series musky rods that made of some really cheap graphite. That cheap graphite is very soft and makes for some decent bite detection.
The reels were about $100 each though. I bought a couple of cheap shimano musky reels. I personally have not had great luck wit Abu Garcia reels.
I picked up some shimano Voltage bass rods this spring for sturgeon fishing. They where on sale at Gander the other day for $30. 7′ medium heavy if I remember right. Soft tip and good back bone. They did handle a couple of 60″ fish on the rainy river this spring. Do wish they had a long butt to them and that the grip extended out in front of the reel farther. A longer butt would put the reel farther out in front of me while the butt is buried into my my stomach. A bigger and longer grip in front of the reel would allow me to get both hands on the rod and get better leverage when needed to fight these fish.
Think I may be looking at some salmon fishing rods next for this.
Here is a good example of what I dont like about my rods. Good rods but would be better with different handles. You can see we can only get one hand in front of the reel and the reel are pretty close into the body.
So what a better rod guys? I think many musky rods have longer handles and more grip up front but then with most you loose the tip of the rod. This is why Im thinking Salmon rods may be the way to go. Not real familiar with them but thinking them may have the grip, back bone and tip that would work well for sturgeon. Now to find one at a decent price.
Paul brought in the 65 inch Laker. He’s fighting it in the photo above.
I’ve been using the St. Croix Triumph TRC70MHF for a number of years now. Light enough tip to detect the subtle bite of a sturgeon and paired up with Team Catfish Tug O War braided line, sensitive enough to feel the slightest bite or weed that wraps around your line while holding the rod.
At $70. it’s not cheap, but they’ve been doing my customers well for several years now.
Dean’s Tackle box has them in stock.
I think I found a few rods now I just need to find some reels that will fit the bill. What do you guys use that wont break the bank?
Little terminal tackle and your off!
Let us know how you do. 
I caught a few small ones everytime out last year but did find out my bass gear was not up to fighting big sturgeon (hour and five minutes and never got it in the boat). Looking forward to getting out and breaking my new rods in.
I have rods rigged up with both 65 and 80# power pro. Think I like the 65# better. Still seems plenty strong. The 80 is a little thick and has much more resistance. Up on the Rainy in the spring you sure notice it in the heavy current to the point of having to fish heavy sinkers.
So when and where is every one hitting the croix? All this talk about sturgeon fishing is getting me excited to go.
Sept. 18 out of Bayport. Will be my first time out for sturgeon! Super excited!
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I have rods rigged up with both 65 and 80# power pro.
I’ve used 20lb Trilene Big Game with good results, too. It’s plenty strong–I’ve landed 60+” Rainy River fish with no problems. I like the shock absorbing qualities.
Not that Sturgeon are line shy, but a person can use much lighter line then 80 pound. I only use 80 because the reels are used for flathead fishing in heavy cover.
Most of the time sturgeon are out in the wide open with very few snags around. Mr. Wiggins uses 20 pound mono and has had very good success with it.
I hear you guys. Think I went a little over board with the lines. Still think that 65# is a good pound test. It lets a person put the breaks on those fish and get them in a little faster.
Have not tested my drags to see what they are set at but would guess they are set in the 10 to 20# range. Seem to spend a lot more time with my thumb on the spool to get the additional drag when I want it. Its nice to thumb that spool when the fish wants to make another run. This way she has to work for taking that line out. Its also nice to have a light drag at boat side in case that fish wants to make a quick dive to the bottom.
Now if we where fighting these fish in the logs like you are with cats Brian I could see going with the 80#.
Been teaching the boys to thumb the spools to. Just noticed in the second photo I put up earlier in this post Frank has his thumb sticking out ready to go on the spool. The 60″er he got in the spring he worked like a pro.
Millerman with his thumb on the spool…just a bit late. 
D’oh! The dreaded baitcaster rat’s nest!
It was pretty funny and still gets me grinning.
I asked Tim if he’s used a bait caster before. He said “this isn’t my first rodeo.”
Both Jesse and I looked at each other after that cast (his first) and both said…”PHOTO OP!”
To Tim’s defense, he didn’t have any trouble after that first cast…but one was all I needed! 
Personally I prefer “palming” the spool – you’ll never hear a guy with a spinning reel say, “I just couldn’t stop it!”
Edit: This coming from a guy who’s never caught a sturgeon. 
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you’ll never hear a guy with a spinning reel say, “I just couldn’t stop it!”
I think this post should be bookmarked.
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you’ll never hear a guy with a spinning reel say, “I just couldn’t stop it!”
I think this post should be bookmarked.
I hope you get to hear me completely contradict that one, to be honest!
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And the haunt continues!
Millerman with his thumb on the spool…just a bit late.
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It was pretty funny and still gets me grinning.
I asked Tim if he’s used a bait caster before. He said “this isn’t my first rodeo.”
Both Jesse and I looked at each other after that cast (his first) and both said…”PHOTO OP!”
To Tim’s defense, he didn’t have any trouble after that first cast…but one was all I needed!
I thought you said I could go because of the entertainment factor! 
Oh yeah also to pick up chicks!
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Still think that 65# is a good pound test. It lets a person put the breaks on those fish and get them in a little faster.
just an FYI, but power pro 65# has been known to have phantom break-off issues. i myself would stick with 80lb, and tighten that drag all the way down.
as far as rods go, my group picked up a few custom cat rods from these guys this spring, they have been Awesome! and the price is good too!
http://www.rfsportsinc.com/store/Store_Sub.cfm?Category_ID=1&CFID=76162765&CFTOKEN=39243596
We went with the Meat Hunter Supreme series, and customized for flatheads. but, they offer plenty of cheaper options. and better then anything you will ever find at gander or Fleet Farm.
and IMHO, much better then a st croix or other “multipurpose” type muskie/bass rod. these rods have 3 times the backbone of anything st croix or gander sells. it is like fighting a fish with a flexible pool cue, with a sensitive tip. 
For you guys looking at spooling or respooling, I would suggest taking a close look at the Team Catfish Tug O War line.
I’ve been using the 80# Nuclear Yellow for flats this year and it’s still as bright as the day I spooled it. Fraying has been minimal and much much better then the Power Pro I’ve used for years.
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