Musky Setup Conundrum

[Brnnoser6983]

Okay, so this year is my big year. I want to break my personal best for a bass (6.2lb) & northern (31 in Can't remember lbs). I also want to fish for my first musky.

My problem is with my musky set up. I bought an Okuma ABF last year, and it is just too heavy, and to be honest overkill.

Now I would love a Abu Garcia Toro NAcI, but honestly I think again it is overkill. What it your thoughts on a Revo Winch. (5:4.1)?

My thought is with the low torque for the bigger baits I would be fine there. Also at I think 16 lbs drag I would be covered for larger pike and a med musky.

[Fishes in trees]

I can't speak to Abu products.   I've only been musky fishing a couple of times.  I acquired a decent musky rod, for a reel I decided to go with a Calcutta 250, which I acquired in the late 90's.   Anyway, I had some concerns about whether that reel would hold up, was primarily throwing ounce to ounce and a half buck tails.  I called Shimano and basically they said , "I dare you to tear up that reel on a musky."   The service representative I talked to on the phone had no doubt that the Calcutta would stand up to any musky I'd run into.

 

I think that goes for most bass reels.  I think that if you think that the gears will stand up to repeated casting of heavier baits, go for it.

[WIGuide]

For musky's the Toro NACL isn't overkill, it's pretty much what it was designed for as well as the Toro. They're low profile reels made to have the same benefits as the round reels. With the heavy weight of musky baits you need a huge rod to throw that all day, plus muskies pull like battle tanks, don't under estimate them. You don't want to show up with a knife at a gun fight.

[Brnnoser6983]

The main sudden in the Toro to the winch is 5 lbs of drag, and added spool amount.

Don't get me wrong. If I find someone on here selling one when I am liking I am getting the Toro, and I will do my best to get the Toro.

[gulfcaptain]

If you are worried about it only having 5lbs of drag, go get a 5lb weight, tie it to your rod and try to drag it.  5lbs is more then you think.

[Scott F]

Musky gear needs to be sized more for the baits you'll be throwing than for the fish. Repeated casting of double 10's or baits that weigh over a pound will do more damage to your gear than the fish will. Gear up for what kind of baits you expect to throw with each rod.

[Tim Kelly]

The musky fishing I've done has been using 7-8ft rods with 100lb braid and ABU 7000 reels. If you're fishing full sized musky baits you really need full sized musky gear.

[Brnnoser6983]

I mostly will be throwing double cow girls, and other inline. I have some 4oz baits, and a mini bull dog. Nothing huge, and that is why I was wondering about the winch series.

[Brnnoser6983]

But if I find a cheap NacI I am going with that.

[Scott F]

I mostly will be throwing double cow girls, and other inline. I have some 4oz baits, and a mini bull dog. Nothing huge, and that is why I was wondering about the winch series.

Those double cowgirls put more strain on reels than almost any other bait. You need the toughest reels you can find to hold up when throwing those.

[Brnnoser6983]

Yeah.. I am heavily leaving towards the better reel, but this is my first reel musky set up. My 1st was something that would just Handel the lures.

So it is great to get insight from people who know better. Always appreciated.

[HoosierHawgs]

A wide spool Lew's or SuperDuty in 5.4:1 might do the trick. Kinda a thread hack, but is there a decent musky rod for $100 or less?

[Brnnoser6983]

I am looking at an Abu Garcia myself that throws 4oz.. I know my current rod is cheap.... And I mean cheap. I got it at Cabelas and its called a whopem stick.. I think they said it was an of brand of ugly... But it was $39 I think. And I paid like $50 for my okuma reel... And don't get me wrong.. it works, but just wry to heavy for casting.

[Lucky Craft Man]

Well, I don't know how serious you are about getting into musky fishing, but here's my experience.  I would not get anything smaller than the Toro series if you are looking into a Revo.  The bass Revo's will get tore up, especially if you intend to throw some double cow girls (I know that the bass series could fight a musky as I have caught quite a few while bass fishing with one, but as others have said, it won't hold up to the lures used when fishing for musky).  I have a Revo Toro Winch that I purchased for dedicated bucktail duty.  It performs that task ok (i.e., won't wear you out), but it sucks for every other musky fishing application (and to be honest, I not 100% fan of how it functions with the bucktails).  It is just too slow of a reel.  It's too slow in picking up slack while fishing a Bulldawg, it's too slow for my liking when fishing musky crankbaits, it's too slow when I want to pick up the pace on the bucktail (you will really be cranking).  With that being said, do not get a high speed RevoToro (6.4:1).  I have a few of the High Speed version, which I love for jerkbaits and topwater (really picks up slack), but 5 casts with a double Cowgirls and you'll be looking to pick up that lighter bass gear and find some largemouth for a break.  Long story short, I do feel that a 5.4:1 Revo Toro is the best all around musky reel you can get (either in the standard Toro or in the NaCl model) and it is no where close to an overkill.  If you start looking at a Penns International or something like that, then I would say you are getting into overkill range.

 

Alright, let's talk about your rod.  I know you didn't ask, but if you are going to spend money on a Revo Toro (which even a good deal will run you $180 to $200) then you might as well get a decent rod to go with it (as they say, if you buy quality gear the first time, you will only have to buy once).  That Whopem Stick if I remember correctly is a fiberglass rod geared to Catfishing.  From the ones I remember handling (white blank with some blue and red accents) it is quite heavy and soft (very moderate action).  Your arms and shoulders will be cursing you out by then end of the day (though, to be honest, they will be cursing you out by the end of the day anyway for even deciding to take up musky fishing).  May I suggest a Tackle Industries Musky Rod?  In my musky line-up, I have G Loomis (both Maroon and Black series), St. Croix, Bluegrass,  and Tackle Industry Rods.  By far the best value is the Tackle Industry Rods (however, I will admit, the best performing rods are the G Loomis Maroon Series, but they cost three time that of a Tackle Industries Rod).  A 9' XH Tackle Industries rod paired with a Revo Toro 5.4:1 reel will handle just about any musky lure you want to throw (unless you want to start throwing Bulldawg 2-Pounders, which will move you up into the XXH Model and expedite the need for rotator cuff surgery).

 

Sorry for all the unsolicited Musky Gear advice.  Good luck in your search and I hope you stick that first musky this year!

[Ratherbfishing]

With those inline spinners, you'll want something with a LOT of torque.  The Toro Winch is a reel I've heard is optimized for big, high resistance baits.  Can't speak on others.

[Brnnoser6983]

Lucky, thank you. I am decently considering the naci and reg Toro. Once I get the cash I am looking to hit the forums asking for one around 175 to 200 range. I know eBay had them for $200.

The rod I was looking at was the volatile in the h for 4 oz lures which is the rod suggested by Abu for the Toro.

I'm interested in musky fishing, I think I need steps right now. So if I go Toro with the volatile and later step up to the st croix it would good.

[HoosierHawgs]

Lucky, thank you. I am decently considering the naci and reg Toro. Once I get the cash I am looking to hit the forums asking for one around 175 to 200 range. I know eBay had them for $200.

The rod I was looking at was the volatile in the h for 4 oz lures which is the rod suggested by Abu for the Toro.

I'm interested in musky fishing, I think I need steps right now. So if I go Toro with the volatile and later step up to the st croix it would good.

Another reel that I am looking at is the Quantum Iron PT. They seem like they would hold up good.

[Brnnoser6983]

For musky's the Toro NACL isn't overkill, it's pretty much what it was designed for as well as the Toro. They're low profile reels made to have the same benefits as the round reels. With the heavy weight of musky baits you need a huge rod to throw that all day, plus muskies pull like battle tanks, don't under estimate them. You don't want to show up with a knife at a gun fight.

Thank you for the insight. And thought I would let you know.I pulled the trigger and went with the Nacl HS 60..

I am glad I did, and can't wait to get out there and get to use it.

[OntarioFishingGuy]

The NaCL 60 is one of the top choices for most hardcore muskie guys up here. You made a good choice. What line will you be using?

[Brnnoser6983]

I'm am a Sufix fan and was going to run 80 lb Sufix 832. But my friend insist that I try Power Pro. So I might just try that. I know I was going to run that on my crank rod.

[Lucky Craft Man]

I'm am a Sufix fan and was going to run 80 lb Sufix 832. But my friend insist that I try Power Pro. So I might just try that. I know I was going to run that on my crank rod.

 

May I make another unsolicited suggestion?  Cortland Masterbriad is truly an incredible line for musky fishing.  I've tried PowerPro, which is what I use for all my bass needs, but I just didn't like it for Musky Applications.  To be honest, I couldn't put my finger on it (maybe the rigidity at that line diameter), but MasterBraid is my mainstay (as a side note, TufLine XP Braid is also another braid that I was impressed with for musky fishing, though, Masterbraid still is tops).

[WIGuide]

Thank you for the insight. And thought I would let you know.I pulled the trigger and went with the Nacl HS 60..

I am glad I did, and can't wait to get out there and get to use it.

I think you'll be a happy camper with that reel!

[Brnnoser6983]

May I make another unsolicited suggestion? Cortland Masterbriad is truly an incredible line for musky fishing. I've tried PowerPro, which is what I use for all my bass needs, but I just didn't like it for Musky Applications. To be honest, I couldn't put my finger on it (maybe the rigidity at that line diameter), but MasterBraid is my mainstay (as a side note, TufLine XP Braid is also another braid that I was impressed with for musky fishing, though, Masterbraid still is tops).

I tried finding masterbraid and I think like 1 store is said to carry it in the area.. I might go tuff or pro.

I have to say though. I put it on my rod last night.. So happy, but I already have an oops... I changed out top the power handle.. and me being me lost that mini screw.. so now I have to order another (maybe two or three) from Abu....

[MacP]

Just get an Abu 6000 or 7000.