BradH

I'll use a 7:1 for any fishing where I move the bait with the rod, not the reel. I stuck a Curado E7 on a jerkbait rod this winter and I love it.

I do the same thing. I bought a boat so I could carry even more

One more thing I forgot to say. I backed off both brakes & the spool tension and timed the freespool a few times to get a good average. I did it again after flushing/oiling the spool bearings and a general cleaning. The time from start to stop after flicking the spool with my finger almost doubled. Lots of grease in those spool bearings. Edit. I got the 5.4:1 so I'm thinking 7' MH Crucial crank rod with 10 lb fluoro. I still like my noodles for fishing in current but the bait monkey has been bugging me.

I've just been spoiled by metal on metal when it comes to threaded connections Honestly unless the drag gets fouled with water or oil that side cover will stay put for a long time. The bearing on the brake side cover is also retained by three screws into plastic instead of a metal clip. The drag washers are carbon. My only complaint is the metal screws to plastic parts.

I broke one down and cleaned it. My biggest gripe are the two side cover screws that go into plastic instead of metal.

I picked up a 7'3" ML casting TFO Tactical this winter. When I have used it enough to give it a fair review I'll do so.

Good cranks under $5? That's easy. Rapala Crankin' Rap #5, #10 & #14 in Helsinki shad and a Norman DD22 in chartreuse shad. Where I fish those 4 cover the water column well, are under $5 each and will catch fish.

I bought some SS ABEC 5s 4 years ago from Mike's for a 5000 ABU. Still going strong. It's on my pike spinnerbait rod so it has seen more casts than any rod I own for the past 4 years pulling #8 blades. That being said the last couple times I bought anything it came from smooth drag (bearings and drag washers in the same order) and one order from Boca.

I have the 7' and the 7'10" versions. Yes, they are whippy. I like them for fishing in current, the fish stay hooked when they jump next to the boat out of the current and unload the rod. I fish them with braid, I don't think I'd like them with mono. With the braid I can get a good hook set even at long range with the whippy rod, the extra depth is a bonus. It's the formula I came up with for the conditions I fish through trial and error. I never tried the 6' 8" rod so I can't comment on it specifically. I don't much care for the jig and worm rods but that's just me. Love the crankbait rods.

I clean with mineral spirits and a toothbrush or hot soapy water and toothbrush. So far I have had no issues with plastics. They are milder than carb & brake cleaner and seem to get the job done just fine.

I'd tend to stay closer to regular graphite. The BPS Crankin' Sticks are faster than a moderate glass crankbait rod. I'd grab the MH crankin' stick in a heartbeat and go toss some 1/2 ounce traps. They go on sale frequently.

I bought a roll of the Vicious fluorocarbon in 15#. I've only been using it for leader material. I really like it. Good abrasion resistance and knot strength. I would not target big pike with it but I've landed plenty on it while fishing for other stuff.

I'd go MH in that rod. I have one in a M and the MH would be better for 1/2 ounce traps.

I use a 6' 3" casting rod for jerkbaits. I Just like pointing the rod straight down when fishing jerkbaits.

Tighten the drag

I'm usually fishing for larger pike due to my location but I do fish for muskies when I get a chance. I upsize to musky baits & tackle when pike fishing to keep the little pike, bass and walleye off sometimes. If it wasn't effective I wouldn't do it. I hands down agree on the fast landing and release. Also cover can be a factor. Yes you can play and land a 40"+ musky/pike on a jigging rod with 6 pound test but as soon as that fish runs into timber, strong current or thick weeds you are done 90% of the time. I know where you are coming from SirSnook! My Dad landed a fat slob of a pike on Christmas Eve using a spinning rig like you described in short order. Most forums I just stop in a read every month or two. I'm probably wrong but I get the impression some folks don't fish that much but like to go online and pretend they do. Some guys act like you MUST have a super duper 12' rod and the latest Gee Whiz Superman reel. I'm sure those things are nice but there are plenty of proven tools as well. They also have a different tape measure, hahaha. I guess that could be internet forums in general. Nah, wait a minute, they are all legit. I'm the crazy one. I'm happy with my Scheels, BPS and Cabelas rods and my ABU reels that "won't last more than a season!" I don't like to insult anyone's intelligence so if you already know what I'm going to say disregard. If you are in the market for a musky rig and some lures get in the market for a quality landing net and some tools. My first big fish were great experiences because I had the right tools in the boat. I've heard some horror stories!

The heavy line is so when you backlash a big bait it doesn't just keep on going. But yes, I know what you are saying

Sounds like you already have the perfect rod & reel for esox sized bucktails/spinnerbaits, medium swimbaits, 1 to 2 oz. jigs and medium cranks. That kind of stuff can be cast all day without wearing you out. I'll go against the grain a little and suggest a 6' to 6' 6" jerkbait rod spooled with 65 to 100 pound braid and a high speed reel to take up the slack between jerks/pulls. I've tried fishing jerkbaits with "normal" length rods and I prefer the short rod. When I say jerkbait rod I mean one rated for esox sized baits. I'm probably in the minority though, seems everyone else wants a 9' rod for everything if you read the message boards. Add a 8' to 9' rod with Swedish made 7000 ABU for those gigantic baits, casting and trolling, and you should have a fairly complete arsenal. Use the search function on the next bite and walleye central pike/musky forums and you'll see all kinds of good stuff on rods and reels.

Out of curiosity I just tried it on a Curado E7 and it came out to 30" on a full spool.

I drop shot them on a spinning rod

I am guilty of blasphemy. I have been fishing flies in 30 feet of water this winter on a spinning rod, hahaha. I doubt if I'm the first guy to try it but I don't read much about it so I like to share. I enjoyed reading your post! No bass pics but you get the idea.

Manns Walker and Subwarts for me as well. I think the advantage of the wake bait over the buzz bait is that you can slow down and/or pause with a wake bait where as with a buzzer you have to keep it moving, although I do like a to let a buzzbait "dip" every now and then. They all catch fish, that's what I know.

I like to fish a HJ10 to HJ14 in Glass Perch or a Deep X-Rap in Purple Albino. Color is the least critical factor but I've always had luck with those. They're in your price range and they will definitely catch fish. The Smithwick Rogues are also great. If you are looking for floating jerkbaits the original Rapalas are hard to beat and the Storm Thundersticks have caught me a bunch of fish too.

I bought the 6'10" M casting rod from Amazon. It feels great and I'm excited to fish with it. I'll be tossing small to medium jigs with it. In another 4 or 5 weeks I should be able to give it a solid test.

I've used both and they work just fine. I toss those little bottles in my tackle boxes and boat.