New rod and reel?

I have a green card to go ahead and rig up with a new rod and reel just for muskies. I would like to go with a st croix series with a life time warranty. I do have a nice 8″ extra heavy for big work but looking for a good all around rod that is not too heavy for cats or big pike but not too small. I am leaning on 7 1/2-8 foot in that heavy right now but going to be looking at a few here by the weekend.
My concern is the reel. I would like to stay under 200.00 and leaning towards a low profile. I have a shimano tekota on my larger rod and 6500 on the others. Need something that just gets more life!!! Dont need a burner reel or anything overkill just want 5-10 years without worm gears breaking down? You guys know what to go with and what to stay away from so appreciate any advise.

I’d say that the legend tournament sling blade is the rod your looking for it’s a 8’6″hvy and for a reel I’d go with a shimano curado 300. I’ve got 2 sling blades 1 has a 300 curado and the other has a 700 Calcutta and they’re the most versital rods I owne I’ll use anything from small topwaters to mag bulldawgs. As far as going with a shorter rod there’s no way I’d ever use a rod under 8 1/2ft ever again with all the advantages of a longer rod there’s no reason not to.

If you’re looking for a low profile reel for under $200, a lot of guys are really fond of the Revo Toro 60. I don’t have any so I can’t comment on them personally, but a lot of guys love them.

Okuma makes a great rod for the money.($119.99) I have a 8.5 ft. telescoping in Heavy action (2-6 oz lure weight). Coupled with a Revo Toro 50 reel (now on sale for $169 at Cabela’s). The rod has a pretty forgiving tip and loads up nice. so nice that you can even throw 1 oz bucktails with ease.
If you want something big enough to throw big cowgirls or anything with 12s for blades, I’d suggest going to the Extra heavy action and the Revo Toro 60. Get the standard 5.4 to 1 gear ratio as the HS model with the 6.4 to 1 just isn’t geared for those big blades. You’ll burn it and yourself out fast.

Good luck in your search!

Revo Toro good reel, but I am not sure that you can get that under $200 as I have seen them in most cases around $250 – $300.

Mark

Joe,

The revo is the best choice for under $200, and only becaue you can get them on clearance right now — they were discontinued. I have four of them. They’re awesome reels. Only discontinued because sales were low. I haven’t heard a bad thing about them yet.

On rods, Tackle Industries has a good deal on rods that I’ve heard are pretty nice. I just ordered a new 9′ XH. Don’t go shorter than 8′ or you’ll regret it.

Let’s talk about this on the water. Maybe Minnetonka or White Bear and you can check out the combos I have to see what you like. Now that your new baby is settled in, maybe you can sneak out of the house for a bit???

Here is the new one I got!

Thanks for the advise guys, but millerman has me sold I am going to be looking around here so really appreciate the advise. I plan to run out the next day or two and see if I can pick up a reel while they are on sale yet. Thanks again!

Only the 5:4Revos were discontinued, why I haven’t got a straight answer on yet… I’ll 2nd the Tackle Industries rods, think I have 4 now and may pick up 1 more just cuz. They are my go to rods over my Croix blanked custon Predator and my G Loomis. On sale yet for $120 shipped to your door, the XH will do anything you want from showgirls to almost pounders.

Thanks again for the help. Ended up getting a good deal on the Revo 60 and believe I got there right in time. Without the quick advise I may have missed out there. I was aiming at the Swing blade but ended up getting a good deal on a Fenwick ETM80H. Hard to pass up anyhow. I usually do not chase skis till later in the season but have to put some field time in this weekend. Wife also let me grab a few new baits so a big day for this guy

Hey Joe! If you ever break that fenwick on a big flat bring her on over to Joes sporting goods in st. paul. they have the best staff there and will be more than happy to get it replaced for basically free. Not a lot of dealers or big box stores will do this. I just brought in a st. croix avid i broke while fishing smallies and it only cost me 20$ for a new one!! That 20 is just for shipping the old rod to st. croix. I know they do that for fenwick too.

Thank you sir! To be honest that is were I bought this one. they had them on sale for 30% off while supplies last. I was after the tournement series but they were out so went with the eliteTech 8 ft for 150.00. I have bought my Avids there too and love that 20.00 deal. I seem to make that trip over every year. Wish I could say it happend from a fish

Buschman,
I bought a Toro Winch at the muskie expo this spring. They had a special at the time.. 225.00 for the reel and you could buy and Elite Tech rod for 50.00 (free spool of line and a long sleeve garcia tshirt). At first, I said I didn’t want the rod. After they spooled the line, I went back and picked up the rod figuring I could sell it to a friend and get back my 50.00. Needless to say, I kept the rod and really like it. It is lighter than my TI 9ft rod but still heavy enough to throw some bigger baits. I don’t think you will be disappointed in your choice.

50.00 is a heck of a deal. So far I am happy with the rod but have not put a musky on the other end yet!

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50.00 is a heck of a deal. So far I am happy with the rod but have not put a musky on the other end yet!

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I doubt BZZSAW has either.

I picked up a 8’6″ XH Elite Tech this spring and matched it with a Revo Toro and have really liked the rod for throwing just about everthing up to a Double Dawg (10oz.)