Tenth Post,
December, 5, 2013
Top Ten Thing for Muskie Fishing
December, 5, 2013
Top Ten Thing for Muskie Fishing
November 25, 2013,
Eight Post,
Ultimate Musky Fishermans Christmas Wishlist
Its a month to Christmas, so I thought I would give some great gift ideas for the holidays.
Reels
1. Shimano Calcutta D
2. Shimano Curado 300
3. Shimano Tranx 500
Rods
1. G Loomis Muskie Series
2. St Croix Legend Tournament Musky series
3. G Loomis NRX Umbrella rig rod
Eight Post,
Ultimate Musky Fishermans Christmas Wishlist
Its a month to Christmas, so I thought I would give some great gift ideas for the holidays.
Reels
1. Shimano Calcutta D
2. Shimano Curado 300
3. Shimano Tranx 500
Rods
1. G Loomis Muskie Series
2. St Croix Legend Tournament Musky series
3. G Loomis NRX Umbrella rig rod
Line
1. Power Pro super slick 2. Spiderwire Camo Braid 3. Seaguar Kanzen |
Terminal
1. Knot to Kinky Titanium 2. Stringease Stay-Lock Floricarbon leaders 3. Seaguar Blue Label |
Lures
1. Musky Innovations Bulldawg 2. Bondy Baits Bondy Magnum 3. Musky Mahem Big Bird |
Accessories
1. Lowrance HDS Gen2 touch 2. Shimano Brutas Black Nickel Plyers 3. Frabil Power catch net |
Apparel
1. Shimano Dryfender 2. Simms ProDry Rainsuit 3. Frabil F-series rainsuit |
November, 20, 2013 Note: M=Medium Action
MH=Medium Heavy Action
Seventh Post H=Heavy Action
XH=Extra Heavy Action
Choosing the right Musky rod
One thing you need for musky fishing is a rod; you just can blindly choose one and expect it to be the right one. There are many factors when choosing one, such as the length and weight of the rod or the specific use you will use it for. You are probably all wondering what rod you should buy.
First of the most important factor you should consider for a first time buyer is not to get an overkill rod. Some people not familiar with casting large lures can find a long heavy rod tiring on their body before the day is over. Also a rod to heavy in action is also something to avoid. St. Croix makes a rod, 7’ 9” XXXH which can handle 8-30 ounce lures; most lures used when starting out are less than 8 ounces which is not beneficial for that application.
If you’re just looking to buy one rod to cover all the applications I would recommend a 7’6” H rod. The best thing about this rod is that its length is optimal, no too short to apply it to most techniques of musky fishing but short enough to be easily manoeuvred. The Action of this rod is H; the rate for lures is 2-6 ounces, which handles most lures.
When choosing a musky rod you must have an application in mind. For spring fishing smaller lures are used so shorter, lighter rods are better in the 6’6”-7’6” range. As you move into summer more varieties of lures are being used, for Topwaters a longer 8’-8’6” rod with a lighter action M-MH rod. For Jerkbaits a 7’-8’ and a MH to H action. For Crankbaits a soft tipped rod with a H action, most Crankbaits are trolled so rod length doesn’t play a huge role in the rod selection. Bucktails and large Spinnerbaits long rods are important in casting these lighter lures so a 8’-9’ rod is great, also a M to H rod helps. As you approach fall larger lures are staples, huge plastics require huge rods, 8’-9’ H-XXXH rods all work.
MH=Medium Heavy Action
Seventh Post H=Heavy Action
XH=Extra Heavy Action
Choosing the right Musky rod
One thing you need for musky fishing is a rod; you just can blindly choose one and expect it to be the right one. There are many factors when choosing one, such as the length and weight of the rod or the specific use you will use it for. You are probably all wondering what rod you should buy.
First of the most important factor you should consider for a first time buyer is not to get an overkill rod. Some people not familiar with casting large lures can find a long heavy rod tiring on their body before the day is over. Also a rod to heavy in action is also something to avoid. St. Croix makes a rod, 7’ 9” XXXH which can handle 8-30 ounce lures; most lures used when starting out are less than 8 ounces which is not beneficial for that application.
If you’re just looking to buy one rod to cover all the applications I would recommend a 7’6” H rod. The best thing about this rod is that its length is optimal, no too short to apply it to most techniques of musky fishing but short enough to be easily manoeuvred. The Action of this rod is H; the rate for lures is 2-6 ounces, which handles most lures.
When choosing a musky rod you must have an application in mind. For spring fishing smaller lures are used so shorter, lighter rods are better in the 6’6”-7’6” range. As you move into summer more varieties of lures are being used, for Topwaters a longer 8’-8’6” rod with a lighter action M-MH rod. For Jerkbaits a 7’-8’ and a MH to H action. For Crankbaits a soft tipped rod with a H action, most Crankbaits are trolled so rod length doesn’t play a huge role in the rod selection. Bucktails and large Spinnerbaits long rods are important in casting these lighter lures so a 8’-9’ rod is great, also a M to H rod helps. As you approach fall larger lures are staples, huge plastics require huge rods, 8’-9’ H-XXXH rods all work.
November, 7, 2013
Fifth post
Fifth post
Shimano Tranx too big?
November, 7, 2013
Fifth post Is the Shimano Tranx too big? I think the Curado is just right. The first time I saw one of these reels, I was astonished by the size, this reel is a 500 size, a normal bass reel is a size 100. The Musky reels I prefer are size 300 low profile reels like the Shimano Curado 301 or Diawa Lexa 300. In the picture to the left it shows a regular size 300 Shimano Curado beside a giant Shimano Tranx size 500. Although this reel is so big and does weigh more than smaller ones, it does though have some functions better than the Curado, like the line capacity, gear ratio and drag system. The line capacity on the Shimano Tranx is out of this world, it can hold an outstanding amount of 420 yards of 50 pound line while the Curado can only hold 205 yards which is more than plenty for the application. Another upsized feature on the Shimano Tranx is the drag. The drag system on the Tranx is X-ship, a system that can withstand strong pull yet still remain smooth. The Tranx drag is 25 pounds of resistance while the Curado can withstand 15 pounds. The available gear rations, and hand retrieves on the two reels is another fact. The Curado comes in one left hand reel (301E) which is 6.2:1 and cranks 28 inches of line each handle turn, while in right hand it comes in two (the 300E and 300EJ) the 300E which is the same as the 301E only in right hand and the 300EJ is a 6.9:1 gear ratio that cranks 32 inches per turn of the handle and comes with a power handle. On the other side the Tranx come in two right handed reels (unfortunate for me as I reel with my left) the 500HG which has a 6.6:1 gear ratio and pulls in a whopping 43 inches of line per handle turn and a 500PG which has a 4.6:1 gear ratio and pulls in 30 inches of line per handle turn. Both reels come with a power handle. The cost of the reels also plays a factor in deciding which reel to buy, the Curado retails for around $300 while the Tranx costs around $600 Although both reels are great choices all I think you need is the Curado 300 but it up to you to choose. |
November, 1, 2013
Fourth post
Small Lures for musky tackle reference
Fourth post
Small Lures for musky tackle reference
The Reel on the left is the Diawa Lexa 300. The reel on the right is the Shimano Curado 3ooE both great reels for early season musky.
The Rod on the far left is the St. Croix downsizer, the rod in the middle is the Shimano Compre which comes in a 7' MH rod perfect for this application, the rod on the far right is a G Loomis flipping stick.
First row: Rapala X-rap, Smithwick Rogue, Live target Smelt. Second row: Joe Bucher outdoors Buchertail, Terminator spinnerbait, Musky Mayhem Baby Girl. Third row: Musky Innovations spring bulldawg. all great small early season Musky lures.
Second post
October, 22, 2013
St. Croix Musky Rods
October, 22, 2013
St. Croix Musky Rods
This is the St. Croix Legend Tournament Muskie fishing rod
This is the St. Croix Premier Muskie fishing rod. there has been many changes from the 2013 models to the 2014, the 6'6" MH and 6'9" XXXH rods is no longer available, but there are 5 new rods 7' H, 7' XH, 8' XH, 8'6" MH, 9' MH 2 piece, 9' H 2 piece, 9' XH 2 piece.
This is the St. Croix Mojo Musky rod.
This is the St. Croix Triumph Musky rod.