Muskie Rod Selection

[acafisherman19]

Hey all,

I am looking to start my muskie journey as soon as the fall, so I am planning my purchases. I have been looking at the Shimano Compre line of rods, but I think that I need an 8' or 8'6". I don't want an XH or XXH rod because the baits that I am going to throw are just too small for that type of rod.

Here's my dilemma: I can't find Shimano Compre rods in 8' or 8'6" with MH or H powers, which would be ideal. I am only 5' 9", but I'll still probably grow. I don't want to pay much more than the Compre costs at this point, so do you have any suggestions for such a rod.

I've looked into the St. Croix Mojo Musky series, but I'd rather just get the Compre in these sizes described because it'll cost less. If you know of any place that I can get one, let me know please.

I'll likely be pairing the rod with an Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6500.

Thanks in advance for any advice,

acafisherman19

[J-Man]

Get in touch with James at tackle industries. He'll likely be able to help and his rods would be in a similar price range.

Tell him J-Man from Lake of the Woods sent you.

[muskyhunter47]

dont worry abought your hight im 5'8" and had thorn bros build me a 9'8"rod its great easy to do the figure 8 with the long rod if it was me i would stay away from the ti rods i bought one will never buy another one give thorn bros a call tell them what your looking for they will hook you up just tell them what you want and what your looking for

[J-Man]

if you up your budget, yes..thorne is the way to go..if you wqant to spend around $100, don't even look into a Thorne rod because it will tease and taunt you til you drop anywhere from $250 to $500.

I LOVE my thorne rods and will be getting more as time goes on, but they are way out of your budgeted amount at this point.

Also, it would be a crime to buy a thorne rod and put a chinese made/assembled Abu on it. You'll want to go higher end on the reel with a quality rod like a Thorne custom.

[wallymn99]

look at Tackle industries rods. $120 shipped. Can't go wrong, great rods. Get the Heavy, or XH and you can throw anything from 1 0z to 7 oz without issue.

[muskyhunter47]

yes thorn bros rods are great cant beat them but they do sell cheaper rods thorn bros rods is all ill ever buy but i have bought thorn bros cheap rods when i first started out musky fishing as time went buy bought better rods sold my old rods

[ShimanoElite]

I am not a fan of the new compre series. The old ones were great but seems they added a significant amount of weight. I have a 7'6 that i bought last year before they "redesigned' them. Between the two you mentioned I would go with the mojo.