Bucktail/crankbait pole?

Any ideas on a good muskie rod for bucktails and cranks, I am thinking of at least 7’6″. How bout the pete maina series? Maybe a good combo idea?

If you are looking, and if price is not a major concern. The Loomis 7’7″ MUR914C is a great rod. Team that up with a Shimanpo Calcutta 400B and you have one mean set up.

When it comes to Muskies spare no expense, it is worth it at the end of the day.

What I don’t understand is that they add 6″ to a rod length, but put half of it into a longer handle! Why is this and why does every maker do it???

I picked up an 8′ Shimano rod over the winter but noticed a couple of inches are simply added to the handle length? This doesn’t help anything!

One knock on Croix and Loomis rod selections: They all have these monster grips on them, like everybody that fishes muskies has bear paws for hands! I can’t palm the reel with grips this size!!! I mean, that’s what the hand does while working the lures so a good fit is important. What I wouldn’t give to have a Croix made with regular bass/walleye grips on them!

Oh well……. there are more important things in life so until I feel like dumping a few hundred in custom rods, I’ll get along with what’s available from Rapala and Shimano.

Longer rods for burning or trolling lures for sure. I’d say a minimum of 7′ for good 8’s and fish control. I’ll be trying an 8′ this season. By October I’ll know how I feel about it!

I like the 8′ St. Croix Premier for bucktails and most cranks. It’s also a great topwater rod. You could definitely get by with this 8’er and one 7′-type jerkbait rod if you only wanted to buy two.

I think Kid and John have the right Ideas, I have 2 of the 7′ St. Croix avids and I’ll probabally be getting an 8′ er, although I’ve struggled with the longer rods, being only 5’6″ in a way it’s made life easier getting into the 8’s, circles, and 90’s. I would also recommend a Abu Garcia Record 60. It’s a great reel, and for $140 its hard to beat.