spinning rods for muskie

[idapaul]

i have a question for all you muskie fanatics out there. i am going to eagle lake in july and need to know if my spinning rods will work. i run 8 foot 6 in shakespeare intrepid rods with pflueger trion reels. i have run these fishing for northern and they do very well. i used them last summer speed trolling with 3/4 ounce spinner baits and took a 39 in northern. i'm asking because i see everybody using bait casters but i really hate casting reels. oh yea the rods are medium action im-7. thanks

[Musky Mike]

idapaul;
I would have been inclined to say that the 8'-6" rod length was good but the medium action was a bit too light. MH is as light as I go. But as you said that you've used them successful for norhterns, I guess they will be ok. One thing you didn't mention was the size of the northerns that you have battled with these rods. If a hefty musky clamps down on a bait, with the 8-and-a-half foot rod (medium action) it is going to be difficult to move the lure through all those teeth sufficiently enough to effect a solid hookset I believe. Just my opinion, am sure others will give their views. I will tell you that I have used a 7'-6" Shakespeare spinning rod/reel steelhead combo successfully for musky fishing, but mine is a medium/heavy action and I have yet to tangle with a true tackle buster with that outfit. I normally use 7'-6" baitcasting combos, MH or H actions.

Cheers and tight lines,

MLK

[idapaul]

muskiemike thanks for the answer i suspected that they were a little light. i have used them speed trolling spinner baits and the biggest that i have landed was a 39 inch northern. i have lost a couple of bigger ones to bad hook sets. looks like i need to find some mh or heavy spinning rods because i can not take bait casters thanks again

[Musky Mike]

idapaul;
Even when using spinning gear, it is possible (even advised) to use the newer superbraid lines. My spinning reels are spooled with 30lb Fireline (bass/walleye reels) and 65lb Power Pro (steelhead/salmon/musky) reels. The non-stretch capability of these lines greatly help in making solid hooksets and with thinner diameters, it's about the same as using 10lb and 20lb mono respectively. These superbraid lines have no potential for line memory so line coiling such as is often experienced with mono is a thing of the past and it's also an advantage when finding yourself snagged as most hooks will straighten under a steady pull before the line breaks. A definite advantage when using expensive musky baits. You may already be using braided lines but in the case you are not, give them a try - you'll be glad you did. Just be sure to use a mono backing or tape the line attachment to the spool as these lines are super slick and with no stretch they will otherwise slip on the spool simulating a faulty drag. One other advantage of these lines is that they may be used for more than just a single season. I reverse my lines on my reels every year and a half to two years and thereby get from three to fours seasons use out of them. I have heard of others who get even longer use from their lines but I reckon 3 to 4 years is more than reasonable.

Cheers and tight lines,

MLK

[fishstalker]

dont forget, Len Hartman used spinning rods for his casting and trolling, and he has more 60# Muskies than any other!

[esoxmaximas]

MuskyMike,
I am interested in knowing excactly what rods you use & while you are at it what spinning reels you use. After reading the article in MHM about small stream fishing I have been thinking of the advantages of spinning gear when casting from shore with briar stickers & branches & other lure stoppers while swinging back to make a cast.Thankyou.