I remember clearly back in the day folks advising that we need 130 lb flurocarbon leaders and 80lb braid with a minimum of a shimano compre or st croix rod and a calcutta reel etc... Really, I have one and its nice and all but its not the end all of fishing. I bought it as a gift to myself for my 25 years of marriage. Would I but another one? No way, not worth the money. Guys on St.Clair have been fishing with 65 dollar rods, 50 lb mono and a small selection of baits for years and they still catch monster muskies without all of the expensive gadgets.