Muskie Rod Suggestions

Needing to upgrade on my rod arsenal and reel arsenal for the lunges. Kinda new to them kinda not. I just need the right tools! I currently only have a mojo muskie with a Revo NACL. Looking at those Daiwa Lexas for a reel.

In terms of rods though I’m a bit lost. I like the Shimano Compre’s and am curious about the Fenwicks I know I’d like to have an 8 footer. I use all Dobyns rods for bass and walleye and would like to stick to them. Has anyone fished with Dobyns for muskies?

If you could also educate me on pairing baits to a certain rod that’d be great.

My latest two rods are from Okuma. Both 8 1/2 ft, with collapsible blanks, that reduce length to 6’10” for travel and rod box if needed. They have two level of rods, both with and without full cork handle, three different weight ranges, and prices from $120-$200. They are fantastic rods, and if you are ever going to fish with someone else in there boat, will both fit in the back of your 5’6″ pickup box, if that is what you have. Like these much better than my two Shimano rods, that I also have, and also my older St Croix rods. I must admit though that I haven’t bought a new St Croix rod, for years, and the ones that I have are shorter. Forgot to add, that Fishusa always has sales from 10%-20% off, if you can wait for it.

Joe Vella wrote:

If you could also educate me on pairing baits to a certain rod that’d be great.

This is confuses me as well. However I have a MH(I think) new 10ft st Croix that I got at the shows for a good deal, that thing is great with bucktails. I like the longer rod to get the bait lower when it get toward the boat before the figure 8 or the circle.

If I were you, I would visit a muskie show and ask the guys at the thorne booth sometimes they have some hold overs or a deal on some select ones that are awesome for the price.

Other than that, I seem to need a chart to know what I can and cannot throw with some of my rods, as I can never remember as my mind blanks out while fishing sometimes.

What is the price point you are trying to stay in?
I love my Thorne Brothers musky rods but they are a bit much for most people. But I bought them when I went out 5 to 7 days a week after muskies and I had no kids so I had money at the time I bought them.

Joe Vella wrote:

If you could also educate me on pairing baits to a certain rod that’d be great.

With muskie fishing you tend to select the rod that will work well with that bait. No different than walleye fishing etc.

Example. If I want to throw pounder plastics I’ll use a XXH mag Heavy. Rated to 20oz.

For lighter lures like bucktail inline spinners you don’t need a lot of rod to throw the bait, but depending on the size of blades and speed your turning your reel you need anything from heavy to xxh.

When working your bait you should have a little rod bend but not much. Same with casting.

I prefer rods in the 8’6 to 9′ with long rod butts to reduce fatigue and also make for easier and bigger figure 8’s.

Hope this helps. I have about a dozen muskie rods.

I have two st croix premier Muskie rods. Both are paired with daiwa lexas in size 400. No complaints.

The 400 lexas are nice. I have two that are the HS.

I’ll vote for St Croix. I have two of them. A shorter premier version for jerkbait style lures and a longer 8 footer mojo for bucktail (non jerkbait) style lures. One of the primary reasons for using St Croix is the warranty that comes with their rods and the fact that they are made in Wisconsin.

Something to keep in mind on the length is how big your rod lockers in the boat are. Mine are 8 feet max so a longer rod won’t fit. I often lock my rods in my rod locker so leaving them out is not really an option for me.

I have been running the Okuma SCT rods for the past 2 seasons. They aren’t as light as some of the higher dollar rods out there, but are a great value. They telescope down for storage which is nice. My favorite all around rod is the 9’3″ XH. I also use the 8’6″ XXH. Those are the only two rods that I use.

The reel I use is the Okuma Komodo SS 364P has the 6.4.1 ratio with a power handle. That’s what I use 90% of the time. They are incredibly tough. Simple design. Flat out just works. 30 pound drag to boot!

Very good advice above, alot depends on what you are going to throw first, then what is your price point. Most guys generally start with one or two rods for throwing bucktails and plastics / jerkbaits.

Reels are similar, one reel tends to be better for bucktails, while another for jerkbaits & plastics shines.

If your looking for one rod, most guys like the Big Nasty from St Croix. Not sure what similar rods from other companies would be though, sorry.

If it was me, I would stop now ….

Paulski

Thanks guys. Paulski see everyone tells me to stop now before I get sucked into muskie fishing! Haha well what else am I gonna spend my money on!?

I hear ya, I am currently deep into my standard winter blues re-org ” what do I need for next year ” ….. definitely some dive and rise jerkbaits, need to fix the shafts on a number of my bucktails ( dang northern ) need a couple new believers ….. notice I said need, not want …. just saying.. as a side note, free shipping from the muskyshop through today

Paulski

Joe Vella wrote:

Thanks guys. Paulski see everyone tells me to stop now before I get sucked into muskie fishing! Haha well what else am I gonna spend my money on!?

Won’t be on anything else if your not careful