8' is a good choice as longer rods help with casting, fighting fish and figure 8ing. How heavy of a rod were you thinking about getting? For throwing big swimbaits like magdawgs and pounders a XH or higher rod is needed but that probably wont be best for fishing bucktails. Bucktail rods are usually on the lighter end, which helps with casting and hooks sets. I would go with an MH or H actions as that could kind of meet the needs of both. Remember, with big swimbaits the rod is the important component but for big bucktails its more the reel
You may want to look at a 8'6" rod or even a 9' based on your experience. I would also be cautious about the ratings because the rating from my Lamiglass to my St. Croix to my other rods is all over the place. It would be best if you could see the rods first hand and if you make it to the LSC outing you would have a good opportunity to see various rod and reel combos and what the different actions feel like. Good luck!
But Ed, why stop at 9'? Go big or go home. Go for the 10 footer! HAHA!! I bet you can get some rediculously HUGE figure 8's with that thing! I guess I'll see for myself tomorrow!
On a more serious note, my brother and I both have Gander Mountain Tounament Musky Extreme rods. As Ed said, watch those ratings. Matt's is a 8'6 XH, and mine is a 8' HX. Mine throws Pounders easier than his throws Mags. His rod feels a whole lot lighter than mine. [smilie=2c.gif]
I don't think there're any tigers left, only true muskies! 
Most muskie guys use superbraids because:
- It has low stretch, which allows for better hook-sets with larger baits, and muskies have tough, bony jaws;
It's thinner for the same breaking strength;
They want to use stronger line because they're tossing heavy baits, and strong-enough mono would be too thick;
It has great abrasion resistance.
Having said that, you can still use mono with smaller baits, but don't forget the metal (preferably single-strand) or heavy (80-100#) fluorocarbon leader! Toothy critters and mono don't go well together. [smilie=biggrin.gif]
"biiigfish32" said:
Im new to musky and Im thinking about getting a 8 foot rod. Then putting an Abu Garcia 6600 reel on it. I like casting and I want to through the big spinners and swimbaits. CAn somebody tell me if this would be the best Idea.
Thanks agian
The best bang for the buck rod bar none, is a St. Croix PM80MHF. I personaly would not buy an Abu reel. I would consifer Pflueger Trion 66 or Gander Equiv, Okuma induron 400, or the priceier Daiwa Luna.
"Chasin50" said:
[quote="biiigfish32"]Im new to musky and Im thinking about getting a 8 foot rod. Then putting an Abu Garcia 6600 reel on it. I like casting and I want to through the big spinners and swimbaits. CAn somebody tell me if this would be the best Idea.
Thanks agian
The best bang for the buck rod bar none, is a St. Croix PM80MHF. I personaly would not buy an Abu reel. I would consifer Pflueger Trion 66 or Gander Equiv, Okuma induron 400, or the priceier Daiwa Luna.
St. Croix has awesome customer service, made in USA and you can upgrade the rod for something differnt later.
"edalz" said:
St. Croix has awesome customer service, made in USA and you can upgrade the rod for something differnt later.
I'm not all that impressed. When I had a 45-day-old rod snap in half from a manufacturing defect, it cost me $30 (apparently they've reduced it to $20 now), and I'm not counting shipping… Take a look at their Warranty:
1. Write a note explaining the problem. Send the note, a check for $20* and your entire rod to St. Croix. We suggest using our Discount Shipping Program, which is described elsewhere on this page.
…
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Their "Discount Shipping Program" cost me only an additional $10; so why does RETURN shipping (the reason I had to send the extra $30, presumably) cost 3X more? Suddenly, my brand new $170 rod cost me $210 just to get their defect serviced…
I'm very happy so far with the two Gander Mtn. 8.5' rods I have; I can just bring them back to the store if they're defective, and one was $70 (on sale) and the other $90.
[quote="The best bang for the buck rod bar none, is a St. Croix PM80MHF. I personaly would not buy an Abu reel. I would consifer Pflueger Trion 66 or Gander Equiv, Okuma induron 400, or the priceier Daiwa Luna.
That suprises me that you like the Gander reels more than Abu. All I use is Abu reels and I've had no problems whatsoever. I have had 2 Gander reels that broke and since Gander was phasing out the GS66, they replaced my reels with Abu 6600 C3's.
"Esoxonthefly" said:
[quote="The best bang for the buck rod bar none, is a St. Croix PM80MHF. I personaly would not buy an Abu reel. I would consifer Pflueger Trion 66 or Gander Equiv, Okuma induron 400, or the priceier Daiwa Luna.
That suprises me that you like the Gander reels more than Abu. All I use is Abu reels and I've had no problems whatsoever. I have had 2 Gander reels that broke and since Gander was phasing out the GS66, they replaced my reels with Abu 6600 C3's.
At the abu price point, I think there are other options. I used to be an Abu fan. Have probably owned 10 in the last 8-9 years. Did all my own repairs, had all the extra parts, easy to fix, but they broke a lot… I have never thrown the Trions, but Will went through a phase where he was bragging them up, so i figured they must be good. I have an induron right now, and it is OK too, but not what Ithought it would be based on all the hype on Muskie First.
Just trying to give a new guy some options…
Personally, I think the extra coin for a Luna, Calcutta, or a Curado is worth it. I have had less trouble with the higher end reels. I really like the Calcutta 400 TE's of which I have owned 3, but they are not worth the extra money over a Luna. The Luna is the best high quality reel without getting silly expensive IMOHO.
The Abu record i have has been holding up pretty good, so that may be worth looking at too.
"Chasin50" said:
I have an induron right now, and it is OK too, but not what I thought it would be based on all the hype on Muskie First.
Dollar for dollar, I think the Induron is a great reel. My main reel is the Calcutta 400b. Smooth as silk. Costs double what the Induron is, but no complaints so far. I've only used it 1/2 a season, so I can't say exactly how the long term quality of it is. As far as rods go, I love my Gander Extreme Tournament Muskie rod. Think I'll try the Okuma EVX next.
Rule #1 – All reels break doesn't matter if you spend $80 or $400.
I have no association with any reel company and my honest opinion is that the Pflueger Trion is the best built reel I have ever fished with. For two years I only had one problem with five reels and I'm putting in about 500 hours a year. Can they break? Refer to rule #1.
I now have Okuma Indurons and have been happy with them to this point but I don't have many hours on them. At the end of the year I'll have a better idea what they can handle.
Muskie fishing is just hard on reels and if you want reels that aren't going to have problems then you need to take up bass fishing. Everything about muskie fishing is hard on reels.
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