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9:19 pm
May 8, 2006
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I am looking to purchase a new musky rod and reel. I believe the reel I am going to get is the 5600 by shimano. I was wondering what size to get this in. The one that holds 245 yds. of 20 lbs test for example. The rod i am looking at is a Pete Maina signature rod because its only $100 dollars and i am only 16 so. Any suggestions on what to get would be helpful and what lb. Test line to get. I also caught my first musky as well but it was 11inches long but still, its a start. Thanks
Dreaming of muskies in Cali....
9:56 pm
In my opinion I would stay away from the pete mania rods and reels. They are of so low quality all you are paying for is the name.If you dont mind used equipement i have a nice outfit to start with for anly 50 bucks. The reel is pacticly brand new and the rod was only used by my customers for one season. As line goes I use only spider wire steath in 30 lb test. I will also be putting some lures and bucktails on here for sale later if your interested.
11:42 pm
March 19, 2004
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Congrats on your first musky, small or not it's still a musky in my book.
I know you said that you are 16 and funds are limited, I'm just letting you know what I use.
As for Rods, I'm not familar with the Mania line up but if I could make a suggestion I would go with a good namebrand like St. Croix, That is all I own and I have been using them for musky fishing for 15 years now.
Now for reels I have used ABU's and have to rebuild them every year, if you can afford a Shimano than go with it.
Line I only use Power pro and it depends on what I'm throwing, Jerkbait and Big crank baits 80 lb., Bucktails/Spinnerbaits 65lb., smaller jerkbaits/crankbaits/bucktails/gliders 50lb.
Just remember...if the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off.
˙˙˙ssɐ ʎɯ ssıʞ uɐɔ plɹoʍ ǝloɥʍ ǝɥʇ os 'uʍop ǝpısdn ǝɯ ʎɹnq ʎǝɥʇ ǝdoɥ ı
-------------------------------------------------~ >')))))))))))><
2:37 pm
March 26, 2004
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And now the opinion of the cheap guy (who remembers what it's like to be 16 and have expensive hobbies)......
Is the 5600 by Abu Garcia or Shimano? I use the Garcias, they are half the price of the Shimanos and work well, but a little rougher around the edges. It is important to do the offseason disassemble & lube with any baitcasting reel. When you're looking at superbraid lines, look at diameter and not strength for capacity. 20lb mono is the same diameter as 100lb power pro. Do not use braided lines lighter than 50 lb - they don't have enough diameter to be resistant to fraying and cutting.
As far as rods go, for $100 there are better choices than the Mania rods, some of which have already been mentioned. At the inexpensive end of the spectrum, bass pro offers an IM6 muskie casting rod for $29.99 that I was able to get for $19.99 during one of their spring sales (online - they did not have it at Hamburg last I looked). It's a little lighter than a St. Croix, but is fine all but the biggest jerkbaits and crankbaits. I keep it at my parent's house (paired with an Abu 5000) to avoid shipping fishing rods around, and I've been happy with it. I can't say anything about durability, because it gets used less than 10 days a year, but it doesn't feel any different than a much more expensive rod.
If I were you, I'd jump on guide's offer if it's still available.
Chris
3:06 am
May 8, 2006
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I looked back at all the rods and reels and i thank you for the suggestions and i have decided to go with the St croix and the 5600 reel. I have a cabelas outfit that i got to use for musky and bass fishing but i really wanna get serious about musky fishing. So i am going to get some good stuff now and get serious. Also i was wondering whether any of you had any suggestions on what type of water to fish in rivers from the bank as my family does not have a boat. We do so much other stuff like hunting and racing dirtbikes and im the only one who would truly use it so any suggestions would be great. THanks
Dreaming of muskies in Cali....
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