Muskie Rods

Does anyone have any experience with the G-Loomis Muskie Creature, St. Croix Avid Muskie Series of Musky Innovation rods and what would you suggest?

Basically looking for an all purpose rod capable of throwing bucktails/smaller cranks to larger jerkbaits/swimbaits.

My heaviest conventional rod (MH Garcia) feels like it's going to snap when throwing a 6" Grandma...

It's actually a spinning rod, (6-14lb test) MH Abu Garcia Conolon Premier and a fairly fast rod. It served (still does for that matter) as a good rod for vertical jigging walleyes and various bass applications. I've never fished exclusively for muskies but I've picked up a lure of two over the last couple years. Like I said, this is the heaviest of conventional rods I have and I pretty much figured from the get-go that it wouldn't suffice for muskie. The rod tip probably buckles an inch or two with just one big Suick or Grandma attached to it.

But, all that said I am looking to get serious and fish for them frequently so that's why I'm looking for a rod. I used to have an ultra light Fenwick that I wasn't too entirely fond of, though I won't rule them out either. I've also got to be honest, I've never fished a baitcasting reel, though I'm sure it's not rocket science and would just take some getting used to. I know that they are more or less a given if you're throwing bigger muskie lures. I don't think I've ever seen a 'spinning' muskie rod. Those C-4's seem to be the popular choice as I've heard them being used by quite a lot of people.

I know what I can expect from St. Croix because I've owned quite a bit of their rods, both spinning and fly. What I am curious is how the G-Loomis rods stand up to them. I've never owned one of their rods but I know from word of mouth that their stuff is top notch. Do you, Esox, or anyone else for that matter, have any experience with them and would you recommend them?

I actually have that webpage bookmarked already, lots of good stuff and everything you could possibly need.

The Loomis rods are about $200-240.

I think the main difference between the Loomis rods and the Premiers are the weight of the rod. The Loomis rods are supposed to be pretty light from what I've read.

I have three Premier spin rods and two fly rods by the way.

Hi, i was on a guided musky trip this past summer at Mille Lacs, the guide ranked 4th last year in points in the Minn. tour. I asked alot of questions about rods and he could not stop taking about the Shimano Compre musky rods, thats all he had. they run about 100$ he said he has had the St.crio and Gloomis and after a season (of tourniment fishing and guiding) they were shot. But the Shiminos have lasted him 3 years. We used eight foot rods extra heavy, and Abu 7000 series reals spooled with 100# test. They worked great i like them alot in fact thats why i bought one. Something else to consider

i have used the Gander mountain muskie rods, the pro select in 8' MH and 7'6 i and thoroughly impressed with it. Shimano Compre is great from what i hear.   I know you get what you pay for but Im willing to try a cheaper thing to see if it holds out. so far so good.


Calcutta 400= Cadillac!  love it
got a new Abu C4 6600  on the 7'6''

H2O Wolf, I have heard the same thing about the Abus. I have not used mine very much for casting. I have used it a good bit for trolling. It seems that with the fast retrieve of the 6600 it works best with bucktails and not with 2 to 6oz lures. If I am casting I use the Calcutta on a 7'6" Avid.
 
I do have a Cortland Noodle Rod, it is an excellent rod for the money. I paid $69 for the Courtland. I have never tried their Musky rods.

i just got an 6'9'' Premier Heavy  broomstick, who want to get out and try it?

wolf you wanna go for ski's this weekend?

ORIGINAL: H20Wolf

Talk about a broomstick... I have the 7'9" XXXheavy.  You can pole vault from one shorline to the other with that thing.

lmao, good stuff right there.

Thanks for the advice, still haven't decided what to do yet...will continue to reel with my left hand, though.

By the way, where did that trophy come from in your avatar, Wolf? Beautiful fish...

Don't know if you decided what you like to do yet, but I have owned 2 rods that I used exclusively in the last 16 years.  Cabelas Fish Eagle Musky Long rod.. 7'6" I throw some bucktails and it is really nice for them, nice touch.  I throw mostly jerkbaits and use the same rod, it handles even the heaviest ones really well...The first one finally snapped in half on a cast at 13 years old....I have used various loomis rods, as well as some really expensive (600+) rods and I like the cabelas as well or better than all of them and it is only around a hundred bucks....well worth it....Just my $0.02....good luck!