Rods

[hoops12]

Well my rod finally broke after 18 years of fishing. Any suggestions on a good rod to pair with my citica. This rod will be mainly used for spinnerbaits and spoons. Also, I'm looking for a entry level musky rod. Any suggestions?

 

Thanks for the help

[Raf]

Okuma has their EVx series of muskie rods which in my opinion are a great entry level rod. They come in all sorts of lengths up to 9'3" (telescopic) with a price tag around $100 and a lifetime warranty. You will not find a better bang for the buck. I use their 8'6" XH telescopic. One thing I've noticed is that their ratings are a little generous. ie. a Heavy Okuma Rod = a medium heavy St. Croix. A good all-round rod is in the 7'6" range. If Okuma is not to your liking St. Croix has their "triumph" line which are decent rods as well at a much smaller price point than their Premiere and Legend series.

 

If you want to read a little more about muskie rods in general click here.

Edited September 11, 2009 by Raf

[Guest gbfisher]

They sure dont look very used sitting on the floor Raf............GET GOIN!!! The red one looks NEW!!!....

[ohhenrygsr]

If your rod shopping don't forget to take your reel with you. That's the best way to test out a rod if it's up to your specs. I also like to spend the extra money on a lifetime warranty rod. Plus the quality excellent and light weight so you can throw them spinner's and spoons all day long

[Dabluz]

Lifetime warranty....you pay for that and you don't need it.

 

I've been fishing for over a half century and I have broken 2 rods on fish during all of this time. One rod was an ancient hollow fiberglass rod that I broke when I was about 17 years old and the other was last year at age 61 when I broke a 15 dollar IM7 graphite rod that I bought at Walmart on liquidation. The rod was a "Renegade" and I had been using it heavily for about 7 years. I also loaned it to a guy who had never fished before. I have a feeling that he knocked it pretty hard on the side of my boat because it snapped real easy on a small pike.

 

As for the warranty issue, I have had 2 rods replaced by Berkley and these rods did not have an unlimited warranty. The first rod was an old hollow fiberglass rod (Curt Gowdy Signature rod) and I broke it when trying to twist it. Berkley sent me a new rod and after 3 years, I sent it back and told them that the rod was no good. They then sent me their new model called "Lightning Rod". Yes...it was 1984. I still have that rod but I broke it when I rolled my snowmobile. It is now a short ice fishing rod.

 

The other rod they replaced was a Series One steelhead rod that I bought at a flea market. When I got home, I saw that the tip was cracked lengthwise. I sent the tip to Berkley and asked to buy a new one. They sent back the tip and a whole new rod for free. Now I've got 2 Series One steelhead baitcasting rods. One is 8 1/2 feet long and the other is about 6 inches shorter and therefore a bit stiffer...lol.

 

I don't buy rods because they have a lifetime garantee. I buy a rod according to my exact needs and budget. And since I have been fishing a long time, I can feel almost right away at the store if the rod will be ok or not.