Pike/ Muskie Rods?

T-Bone · CLF Member Posts: 406 Location: North Aurora

So I picked up a big ol' Okuma spinning reel yesterday, and need to get a rod for the new girl...It's gonna be a pike/muskie (yep, I fish for muskie with a spinning reel) rig. Really want to try something new, I own screw, Shimano, Shakespeare, BPS, and Cabelas rods already, anyone have any advice? I won't spend more than $100 for a rod, and most likely are going to be in the 50-75 range.
I have been reading and heard about Grandts already, just wanted to know if anyone had other ideas. I know there are plenty of opinions on here.

Maui Jim · 5-year CLF Subscriber Posts: 1015 Location: Rockton, IL

I've always been partial to St.Croix rods. I use them pretty much exclusively. Not sure if you will find any in that price range though. You might find their Premier series, but their Avid series will be over $100.
I own both Avids and Premiers and they both perform great. They are a bit pricey but to me it's been money well spent in the long run.

http://www.stcroixrods.com/

MuskyStalker · CLF Member Posts: 399

I used to own SC rods, until their customer service went south

Try Fig Rig. They are the the lightest, most comfortable Muskie rods out there for the money, and they have several HD spinning rods suited for Muskies. In fact, I use a spinning rod set-up for certain Miskie situations myself, and they can more than handle anything thrown at them. Plus, Fig Rig has hands down the best warranty in the business-if they fail, they are replaced, no questions asked.

You should be able to order one of their carbon Classic series rods at or near $100.

T-Bone · CLF Member Posts: 406 Location: North Aurora

Checked out the Fig Rig site, looks like they have what I'm looking for, at 79 bones, not bad.
Don't get me wrong, I'd love to get a St Croix or G-Loomis, but I guess I'm just not that dedicated to spend 130+ for a rod that meets my needs. I've caught a lot of "incendental pike" on a $30 quantum combo, with no problems, so I have to believe you can do it without spending that much money. Plus I'm a cheap bass turd and that extra $75 buys a lot of beer, bait, and burgers.

ghost · Posts: 1260 Location: Durham, NC.

AMEN !

Tgibbs64 · CLF Member Posts: 58

I'll second the AMEN. I'm a cheap bass turd as well. I use an 8' MH Ugly Stcik w an Abu Cardinal reel (big one). Have used it in Canada, the UP and Wisconsin for three years and the combo hasn't let me down yet. Don't get me wrong - if I ever find myself in the position where I have $200 - $300 to toss that way, I'd buy a St. Croix/Pflueger set up in a second.

Tom

walleye_71 · Posts: 1175 Location: Carol Stream

Dont forget to check out the Falcon Rods.
All my muskies have come off these poles, and haven't had a problem yet.
I paid around $65 each, and couldn't be happier with the performance of these rods.
All my buddies now have at least one in their arsenal as well.

fishinnut · Guest

Always fished with a screw fiberglass 6'2". But I'm splurging this year on an 8 ft. heavy action Diamondback. At $229 it better be good.

Denial · CLF Member Posts: 60 Location: Skokie

Go with the St.Croix 7' heavy action premeir rod on sale a BPS right now under $100.00. You will not regret it, this rod is excellent and will last you a very long time.

Denial

T-Bone · CLF Member Posts: 406 Location: North Aurora

Never would have thought about a Falcon or a Fig Rig before I asked the question, which is exactly why I asked.

Rangerdeepv · Posted: 08:07am - Mar 14,06 Post subject:

I also splurged this year and purchased an new musky outfit. A St. Croix Avid 6'6" HM and the new Garcia 'Record Breaker' reel. I have another musky outfit which is over 25 years old but still serves me well. The St. Croix Premiere series of Musky rods are great but alas they are about 150 bucks. There are lots of Gander Mountain rods which may fit the billet you are looking for and they use St. Croix blanks in them.

T-Bone · CLF Member Posts: 406 Location: North Aurora

I was looking at those Gander rods the other day, at the time, I was looking for a new ultralight, so didn't look too hard at the bigger rods.
then I stumbled accross the strictly fishing open house...and now I need a rod for my new big okuma that I couldn't pass up...(see my previous post addressed to you, LundeepV guy, and thanks again for the advice on the shop!)

Tubes77 · Moderator Posts: 7556 Location: Plainfield

I've yet to buy one, but I've looked at the Grandt rods and they really seem like a nice rod for the money. If I'm not mistaken, they are made locally too (could be wrong on that though).

Rangerdeepv · Posted: 07:45am - Mar 15,06 Post subject:

My pleasure T-Bone. It is a neat shop and once you get to know the owner and the employees they will jump through hoops to make sure you are satisfied there. They have also done some prop work for me and carry the whole Minn Kota line.

T-Bone · CLF Member Posts: 406 Location: North Aurora

Think I might have run into the owner while I was there, real nice older guy I was talking to had the attitude of someone who owned the place, not someone making minimum wage, and he knew what I was talking about when I said "helgie".
Amazing amount of stuff in there for the size of the place, and all of it appropriate to the area. He'll definitely get more of my business.