Lightweight Muskie Rod

[mikeh22]

Hey guys,

       I am looking for a lightweight muskie rod for an upcoming trip to Eagle Lake that I can use all day and not get tired. I want to be able to throw bucktails of all sizes with it. I am having trouble finding a lightweight rod, so any suggestions would be appreciated. Under $200 would be ideal.

 

[Scott F]

Throwing Muskie sized bucktails all day is going to wear you out regardless of how light the rod is. If you don't want to get tired, don't throw bucktails.

[mikeh22]

6 hours ago, Scott F said:

Throwing Muskie sized bucktails all day is going to wear you out regardless of how light the rod is. If you don't want to get tired, don't throw bucktails.

Yes, I understand that it will, but my objective was to find a rod to, at least, make fishing for days straight a little easier.

[Allen Der]

the reel is going to wear you out more than the rod will.  are you throwing double 10's or bigger?  if not you can get away with a much lighter setup

[Big Bait Fishing]

check out Tackle Industries

[VolFan]

What sizes are you really going to throw? Big difference in rods that can go to 3 oz and those that go to 8 or 10.

[mikeh22]

2 hours ago, VolFan said:

What sizes are you really going to throw? Big difference in rods that can go to 3 oz and those that go to 8 or 10.

I would imagine that the biggest would be no more than 3 oz.

[WRB]

I use my swimbait rods for musky fishing with good success. 

Eagle lake has some big muskies and clear water, so a swimbait like 22nd Century 10" Triple Trout (purple trout color) would be a good choice to go along with the double bladed inline musky lures.

Take a look at Irod 8' heavy swimbait rod, light weight and great price under $150.

What reel do you plan to use?

Tom

[mikeh22]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

I use my swimbait rods for musky fishing with good success. 

Eagle lake has some big muskies and clear water, so a swimbait like 22nd Century 10" Triple Trout (purple trout color) would be a good choice to go along with the double bladed inline musky lures.

Take a look at Irod 8' heavy swimbait rod, light weight and great price under $150.

What reel do you plan to use?

Tom

I am planning to use my Quantum Iron PT.

[Klebs01]

Depending on when you need the rod, there is a Muskie expo in the Milwaukee area in two weeks or the outdoor show in the beginning on March.  St croix and others will be at the Muskie show and Thorne bros should be at the outdoor show.  Those should give you a good opportunity to handle the rods before you buy.   

[mikeh22]

2 hours ago, Klebs01 said:

Depending on when you need the rod, there is a Muskie expo in the Milwaukee area in two weeks or the outdoor show in the beginning on March.  St croix and others will be at the Muskie show and Thorne bros should be at the outdoor show.  Those should give you a good opportunity to handle the rods before you buy.   

I will look into that. Thank you.

[WRB]

58 minutes ago, mikeh22 said:

I am planning to use my Quantum Iron PT.

The 300 size should be OK

[Puggz]

Look at the St Croix Mojo Muskie line.  I have the 8' MH thats rated for up to 3 oz. I throw bucktails (up to Double 10s), spinnerbaits, topwater and smaller cranks with it.  I have it paired with a Abu Toro Winch spooled with 50lb PP and I'm very happy with it. 
Its also a great rod for going after big pike

Edited February 1, 2016 by Puggz
More info..

[mikeh22]

2 hours ago, Puggz said:

Look at the St Croix Mojo Muskie line.  I have the 8' MH thats rated for up to 3 oz. I throw bucktails (up to Double 10s), spinnerbaits, topwater and smaller cranks with it.  I have it paired with a Abu Toro Winch spooled with 50lb PP and I'm very happy with it. 
Its also a great rod for going after big pike

Ya that rod did catch my eye before. I suppose I just needed an affirmation.

Thanks!

[Puggz]

1 minute ago, mikeh22 said:

Ya that rod did catch my eye before. I suppose I just needed an affirmation.

Thanks!

No worries!  I do a lot of Muskie fishing so PM me if you have any other questions.

[mikeh22]

2 hours ago, Puggz said:

No worries!  I do a lot of Muskie fishing so PM me if you have any other questions.

Will do!

[WRB]

The question was light weight, how much does the Mojo musky rod weigh? 9.3 oz is listed and recommended for up to 3 oz lures.....not a light weight rod!

Tom

[Further North]

I have a few trips a year where I might run into muskies...so I had a similar problem.

Temple Forks Outfitters has a rod that I bought that resolved the problem nicely, the rod weighs 6.2 oz.

It's the GTS P797-1: http://www.tforods.com/conventional-rods/gary-loomis-tactical-series/pitching-rods.html#.Vq7dcfhf1PY

It works great the rest of the season for other things as well.  I run it with 65# braid and a tieable stainless steel leader for muskie and pike, swap it out to lighter fluorocarbon leaders around home for bass.

I have it paired with a Shimano Calais DC, which has worked fine up to 48" fish.

[mikeh22]

22 hours ago, Further North said:

I have a few trips a year where I might run into muskies...so I had a similar problem.

Temple Forks Outfitters has a rod that I bought that resolved the problem nicely, the rod weighs 6.2 oz.

It's the GTS P797-1: http://www.tforods.com/conventional-rods/gary-loomis-tactical-series/pitching-rods.html#.Vq7dcfhf1PY

It works great the rest of the season for other things as well.  I run it with 65# braid and a tieable stainless steel leader for muskie and pike, swap it out to lighter fluorocarbon leaders around home for bass.

I have it paired with a Shimano Calais DC, which has worked fine up to 48" fish.

The weight of it just makes me smile... I'll have to look at it. Thanks

[Further North]

MIke,

It works...you won't through big double cowgirls all day with it, or 3 oz. hunks of plastic...but it'll throw plenty of lures big enough to get the job done.

I'm not believer in the "bigger is better" school of musky fishing...I've had plenty of days/weeks where I've had just as much action as the guys chucking the big stuff and I finish the day in a lot better shape.

They absolutely catch bigger fish sometimes...but I'm happy with a couple 40"+ fish in one day while they guys hunting 50"+ get nothing.  Hell...I'll take all the 35" fish I can catch too...

[mikeh22]

2 hours ago, Further North said:

MIke,

It works...you won't through big double cowgirls all day with it, or 3 oz. hunks of plastic...but it'll throw plenty of lures big enough to get the job done.

I'm not believer in the "bigger is better" school of musky fishing...I've had plenty of days/weeks where I've had just as much action as the guys chucking the big stuff and I finish the day in a lot better shape.

They absolutely catch bigger fish sometimes...but I'm happy with a couple 40"+ fish in one day while they guys hunting 50"+ get nothing.  Hell...I'll take all the 35" fish I can catch too...

I agree; quantity is better. Especially with muskies.

[Klebs01]

My plan is  for this season is to throw musky spinners on my swimbait rod. I have a LTB 7'10" fast action rated for 1-4 oz and only 5.5 oz. it's a little. More than you wanted to spend, but you could use it for bass fishing too.

[Allen Der]

2 hours ago, Klebs01 said:

My plan is  for this season is to throw musky spinners on my swimbait rod. I have a LTB 7'10" fast action rated for 1-4 oz and only 5.5 oz. it's a little. More than you wanted to spend, but you could use it for bass fishing too.

I think the mojo bass version is $89 in the st croix bargain room

[MarkH024]

Have fun. Eagle Lake is incredible and better every time I go. When I die I want whatever science doesn't use to be put in that lake. Absolutely love that place.