New "big fish" setup

I think I’m ready to soak suckers for musky this fall — or perhaps target sturgeon or cats. This is entirely new turf for me and I didn’t feel comfortable targeting fish of this size with walleye gear which is pretty much all I had.

I knew I wanted a traditional round baitcasting reel with a nice beefy drag and sturdy level-wind. I was on the fence for line clicker and line counter. I looked at Okuma, Penn, Abu, and Daiwa, but I ended up taking a flier on a KastKing Rover. Seems to have the best drag among the reels on the lower end of the price spectrum, and has received excellent reviews. Has a clicker but no counter. The money I saved on the reel (vs a lower end Ambassadeur or similar) essentially paid for 150y of 30# Power Pro Depth Hunter, so I was happy about that.

I initially mounted the Rover to a Berkeley casting rod and did some trolling for walleye on pool 2. Handled the 20-inchers just fine although I know I need to be prepared for more than that. Today I picked up a very gently used 7′ Shimano Compre rod; heavy power, medium action; an older version with all Fuji components. If this rod can’t handle it I’m not sure I want it in my boat!

I put the whole thing together for $106, including the Power Pro. There seems to be a lot of interest in putting together a solid combo for around that $100, so I figured I’d share.

Now to find some big boys.

Starting out in any new venture I’m a fan of going cheap as well. If it turns out I really dig it and spend enough time doing it ill upgrade then.

Picked up a cat rod of some sorts at Fleet farm and a $30 quantum reel which got me setup nice for under $70 earlier this year, maybe late last. Recently bought a bigger rod for flats/sturg at cabelas, king cat or something, with another reel from Fleet farm for around same price. I look at that first rod now which I thought was the most ungodly big thing ive seen in my life and say that’s for the little guys now…..

Good luck, I’m still not very consistent when it come to the kitties but experience on the water pays off eventually.

Have fun! There’s nothing like the sound of the bait clicker …zzzip, zzipp, zzipp!

I’ve done a fair bit of sucker fishing for muskies.

The Berkley Big Game 7′ MH (fiberglass) is good rod for only $25. My favorite by far is the Black River Live/Troll, around $100.

A reel with a loud line-clicker is best. One with a line-counter helps control depth, either built in or an add-on that the line runs through. I like the Daiwa SeaLines or Okuma Convectors, but a used Abu 6500 C3 has a nice bait clicker and can be found used for under $50.

I do think 30lb test line is too light for big hooksets while sucker fishing, as you’ll risk snapping the line. I’d go with at least 80lb, and I prefer 100lb.

That Berkley rod paired with a used Abu 6500 C3 and 100lb test will come in right around $100.

Thanks for the thoughts fellas.

The Rover has a wicked loud clicker. I wasn’t prepared for how much resistance it adds to the line when in free spool. We’ll have to see how that works out, I’m actually worried that musky would feel that and spit before I can set. Trolling in my boat solo, it’s a nice alarm and lets me focus more on boat control. So it has a use for sure.

I went with colored/metered line as opposed to a line counter and am definitely happy with that. If you can count, you know how much you’ve got out, period. I like simple.

Michael, you’re probably right about line test. I may regret the 30lb. But my Berkeley rod is only rated for up to 20 and the new Compre for 40 — so I was worried about putting too much stress on the rod. Maybe silly? I also want to continue using for walleye trolling.

Don’t forget to make some musky nuggets

targaman wrote:

Don’t forget to make some musky nuggets

Why else would I buy all this stuff?

Hahah. Ok, took the Compre out on pool 2 today. That rod is a beast, wallies and smallies barely make the tip bend when reeling in. Almost takes the fun out of catching 20 inch walleye.