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 Shimano New Sojourn Muskie Rod Casting 1pc 7ft Medium Heavy SJCM70MHA $41.89 Time Remaining: 27d 21h 44m Buy It Now for only: $41.89 |
 St Croix Avid series musky rod AM70MHF $85.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 7h 4m |
 8 XXH Musky Rod Muskie Northern Pike Catfish Lure Bass $59.95 Time Remaining: 9d 19h 29m Buy It Now for only: $59.95 |
 Fenwick New Elite Tech Muskie Cast Rod 8Ft Xh Etm80H $149.99 Time Remaining: 28d 19h 44m Buy It Now for only: $149.99 |
 3 BULK MegaD POUNDER Swimbait SuperD Lure Baits Musky Muskie Northern Pike Rod $35.99 Time Remaining: 25d 9h 18m Buy It Now for only: $35.99 |
 8 MH Musky Rod Muskie Northern Pike Catfish Lure Bass $57.50 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 7m |
 Fenwick New Elite Tech Muskie Cast Rod 7Ft9In Mh Etm79M $116.99 Time Remaining: 22d 8h 56m Buy It Now for only: $116.99 |
 8 Sea Calf Glider Musky Lure Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Muskie Esox Rod Reel $9.99 Time Remaining: 23d 10h 29m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 Jawbreaker Custom musky rod8 heavy 1 6 oz NICE $149.99 Time Remaining: 29d 7h 43m Buy It Now for only: $149.99 |
 Jawbreaker Custom musky rod76extra heavy custom burl gripsstcroixtog $216.99 Time Remaining: 13d 12h 51m Buy It Now for only: $216.99 |
 89 XH Tackle Ind Swimbait Musky Rod Muskie Pike Catfish Lure Bass Reel Seat $36.00 (14 Bids) Time Remaining: 7h 34m |
 NEW SHAKESPEARE Ugly Stik Muskie Salmon Pike ROD $65.99 Time Remaining: 8d 8h 1m Buy It Now for only: $65.99 |
 2 BULK 14 Tubby Tube Musky Lure Muskie Northern Pike Largemouth Bass Squid Rod $24.99 Time Remaining: 10h 13m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
 Shimano Compre Musky Spinning Rod 7 MH Fast CPSM70MHC $109.99 Time Remaining: 9d 2h 48m Buy It Now for only: $109.99 |
 2 SuperD 5oz Lures musky muskie Northern Pike Innovations Swimbait Bass Rod Reel $23.50 Time Remaining: 8d 7h 3m Buy It Now for only: $23.50 |
 89 XH Tackle Ind Swimbait Musky Rod Muskie Pike Catfish Lure Bass Reel Seat $21.47 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 7h 34m |
 Tica MHSA Musky Baitcasting Rod 76 Fast Heavy MHSA76H2 $99.99 Time Remaining: 8d 21h 55m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
 610 FIG RIG TOOTHY TAMER HEAVY MUSKY FISHING CASTING ROD $109.99 Time Remaining: 18d 5h 20m Buy It Now for only: $109.99 |
 Jawbreaker Custom pike musky spinning rod7 medium 2 ozcustom paint SWEET $89.99 Time Remaining: 13d 12h 54m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
 Jawbreaker Custom musky rod711extra heavy powerstcroix blank $149.99 Time Remaining: 16d 6h 17m Buy It Now for only: $149.99 |
 89 XH Tackle Ind Swimbait Musky Rod Muskie Pike Catfish Lure Bass Reel Seat $40.00 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 4d 7h 34m |
 Jawbreaker Custom musky rod78 heavy powercustom split gripsstcroix blank $169.99 Time Remaining: 16d 6h 32m Buy It Now for only: $169.99 |
 Fenwick New Elite Tech Muskie Cast Rod 8 Ft 6 ETM86XH $149.99 Time Remaining: 13d 36m Buy It Now for only: $149.99 |
 Jawbreaker Custom musky rod711 heavy powercustom split gripsstcroix blank $169.99 Time Remaining: 16d 6h 29m Buy It Now for only: $169.99 |
 710 XH Tackle Ind Swimbait Musky Rod Muskie Pike Catfish Lure Bass Reel Seat $21.55 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 4d 8h 34m |
 Jawbreaker Custom pikemuskysaltwater rod7 custom marbleSWEET $129.99 Time Remaining: 21d 3h 14m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 |
 Jawbreaker Custom musky rod76 medium heavy SWEET $229.99 Time Remaining: 22d 10h 49m Buy It Now for only: $229.99 |
 ST Croix Mojo Musky Casting Rod 86 xhf xtra Heavy Fast NEW $169.95 Time Remaining: 9d 8h 18m Buy It Now for only: $169.95 |
 HUGE Double 13 Bucktail Muskie Musky Lure Northern Pike Spinnerbait Rod Canada $15.95 Time Remaining: 2d 9h 30m Buy It Now for only: $15.95 |
 89 MH Tackle Ind Swimbait Musky Rod Muskie Pike Catfish Lure Bass Reel Seat $20.50 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 8h 34m |
 10 Switch Blade Spinnerbait Bucktail Musky Lure Northern Pike Muskie Esox Rod $19.95 Time Remaining: 15d 7h 51m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 |
 TRL Travel IM6 Casting Rod 15 40Lb 86W Extra Tip Ideal Muskie Salmon Inshore $99.95 Time Remaining: 1d 19h 52m Buy It Now for only: $99.95 |
 10 Sea Cow Glider Musky Lure Peacock Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Muskie Rod $12.99 Time Remaining: 6d 8h 29m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 |
 MAGNUM 9Nokken Musky Lure Peacock Largemouth Bass Striper Pike Muskie Rod Reel $15.99 Time Remaining: 3d 5h 9m Buy It Now for only: $15.99 |
 89 XXH Tackle Ind Swimbait Musky Rod Muskie Pike Catfish Lure Bass Reel Seat $16.50 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 4d 7h 24m |
 LAMIGLASS LGM80XH Muskie 8 Freshwater Casting Fishing Rod $207.00 Time Remaining: 26d 6h 39m Buy It Now for only: $207.00 |
 HUGE 14 Tubby Tube Musky Lure Muskie Northern Pike Largemouth Bass Squid Rod $14.99 Time Remaining: 4d 8h 53m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 Tica MHSA Musky Baitcasting Rod 7 Fast Heavy MHSA70H1 $99.99 Time Remaining: 8d 21h 55m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
 9 Singl Piece Musky Rod Muskie Northern Pike Lure Bait $120.00 Time Remaining: 4d 9h 29m Buy It Now for only: $120.00 |
 HEDDON BAMBOO MUSKY SPECIAL FISHING ROD 900 $30.00 Time Remaining: 3d 7h 25m |
 St Croix Triumph Musky Casting Rod TRM70XHF 70 X Heavy 1pc $130.00 Time Remaining: 13d 1h 39m Buy It Now for only: $130.00 |
 8 Dingo Swimbait Musky Lure Peacock Largemouth Bass Striper Pike Rod Muskie $16.99 Time Remaining: 29d 9h 2m Buy It Now for only: $16.99 |
 Daiwa VIP Muskie Rod VIPM691MHFB 69 Medium HV $99.99 Time Remaining: 6d 5h 20m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
 St Croix Legend Series LM66MH Medium Heavy Action Muskie Rod BCSMR004 $119.99 (11 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 5h 35m |
 St Croix Triumph Musky Casting Rod TRM76MHF 76 Medium Heavy 1pc $130.00 Time Remaining: 13d 1h 46m Buy It Now for only: $130.00 |
 Fenwick New Elite Tech Muskie Cast Rod 7Ft6In ETM76H $199.95 Time Remaining: 12d 14h 34m Buy It Now for only: $199.95 |
 ST Croix Mojo Musky mm72MHF MED HVY 72 Casting Rod NEW $140.00 Time Remaining: 23d 20h 4m Buy It Now for only: $140.00 |
 MegaD POUNDER Swimbait SuperD Lure Baits Musky Muskie Northern Pike Rod Reel $15.99 Time Remaining: 19d 7h 34m Buy It Now for only: $15.99 |
 8 XXH Musky Rod Muskie Northern Pike Catfish Lure Bass $59.50 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 7m |
 St Croix Legend Tournament Musky Rod LTMU69XHF 69 X Heavy $310.00 Time Remaining: 25d 21h 24m Buy It Now for only: $310.00 |
 3 BULK 14 Tubby Tube Musky Lure Muskie Northern Pike Largemouth Bass Squid Rod $34.99 Time Remaining: 19d 8h 4m Buy It Now for only: $34.99 |
 Fenwick Elite Tech Muskie Big Bait Casting Rod 80 1pc H Fast ETM80H $197.96 Time Remaining: 8d 23h 18m Buy It Now for only: $197.96 |
 2 BULK MegaD Shallow POUNDER Swimbait SuperD Lure Musky Muskie Northern Pike Rod $26.99 Time Remaining: 6d 9h 46m Buy It Now for only: $26.99 |
 SHIMANO Compre Muskie 68 CPCM68XH Casting Rod $22.50 (16 Bids) Time Remaining: 4d 8h 58m |
 G Loomis Muskie Rod MUR964 $330.00 Time Remaining: 22h 30m Buy It Now for only: $330.00 |
 3 BULK MegaD Shallow POUNDER Swimbait SuperD Lure Musky Muskie Northern Pike Rod $35.99 Time Remaining: 19d 7h 48m Buy It Now for only: $35.99 |
 2 BULK MegaD POUNDER Swimbait SuperD Lure Baits Musky Muskie Northern Pike Rod $27.99 Time Remaining: 9h 18m Buy It Now for only: $27.99 |
 9 Telescopic Musky Rod Muskie Northern Pike Lure Bait $120.00 Time Remaining: 17d 23h 38m Buy It Now for only: $120.00 |
 St Croix Legend Tournament LTMU79HMF Heavy Muskie Rod DN005 $127.50 (25 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 1h 18m |
 G LOOMIS Muskie Fishing Rod MUR964 FREE SHIP+HAT $330.00 Time Remaining: 27d 22h 51m Buy It Now for only: $330.00 |
 St Croix Legend Tournament Musky Rod LTMU80MHF 80 Medium Heavy $320.00 Time Remaining: 25d 21h 36m Buy It Now for only: $320.00 |
 G Loomis Muskie Rod MUR1026 $360.00 Time Remaining: 22h 48m Buy It Now for only: $360.00 |
 SHIMANO Convergence 66 XH CVC66XHA Muskie Casting Rod $10.00 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 4d 8h 59m |
 Tica MHSA Musky Baitcasting Rod 63 Fast Xtra Heavy MHSA63XH1 $99.99 Time Remaining: 8d 21h 41m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
 HUGE MegaD Shallow POUNDER Swimbait SuperD Lure Musky Muskie Northern Pike Rod $15.99 Time Remaining: 21d 7h 53m Buy It Now for only: $15.99 |
 St Croix Triumph Musky Casting Rod TRM70MHF 70 Medium Heavy 1pc $120.00 Time Remaining: 13d 1h 33m Buy It Now for only: $120.00 |
 9 Telescopic Musky Rod Muskie Northern Pike Lure Bait $120.00 Time Remaining: 17d 23h 34m Buy It Now for only: $120.00 |
 Fig rig 66 musky rod $18.00 Time Remaining: 2d 4h 9m |
 G Loomis Muskie Rod MUR966 80 XX Heavy 1 Piece $350.00 Time Remaining: 12d 6h 14m Buy It Now for only: $350.00 |
 G Loomis Muskie Rod MUR966 $350.00 Time Remaining: 22h 37m Buy It Now for only: $350.00 |
 G Loomis Muskie Rod MUR967 $355.00 Time Remaining: 22h 40m Buy It Now for only: $355.00 |
 ST Croix Mojo Musky mm80mhf 8 med hvy Casting Rod NEW $159.95 Time Remaining: 9d 8h 42m Buy It Now for only: $159.95 |
 MBR 914C LOOMIS MUSKIE CASTING ROD $99.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3d 7h 13m |
 St Croix Premier Musky Rod PM69XHF 69 X Heavy 1pc $170.00 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 20m Buy It Now for only: $170.00 |
 St Croix Legend Tournament Musky Rod TMU86MHF 86 Medium Heavy $330.00 Time Remaining: 25d 21h 45m Buy It Now for only: $330.00 |
 St Croix Triumph Musky Casting Rod TRM76HF 76 Heavy 1pc $130.00 Time Remaining: 13d 1h 48m Buy It Now for only: $130.00 |
 St Croix Premier Musky Rod PM70MHF2 70 Medium Heavy 2pc $170.00 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 29m Buy It Now for only: $170.00 |
 VINTAGE BERKLEY SERIES I MUSKIE NORTHERN PIKE JERK BAIT ROD SILICON CARBIDE $99.99 Time Remaining: 5d 19h 10m |
 St Croix Legend Tournament Musky Rod TMU69XHF 69 X Heavy $310.00 Time Remaining: 25d 21h 26m Buy It Now for only: $310.00 |
 St Croix Legend Tournament Musky Rod LTMU79HMF 79 Heavy $320.00 Time Remaining: 25d 21h 34m Buy It Now for only: $320.00 |
 St Croix Legend Tournament Musky Rod TMU79HMF 79 Heavy 1pc $320.00 Time Remaining: 25d 21h 35m Buy It Now for only: $320.00 |
 VINTAGE BERKLEY SERIES I MUSKIE NORTHERN PIKE 7 FISHING ROD SILICON CARBIDE $124.99 Time Remaining: 5d 19h 10m |
 St Croix Legend Tournament Musky Rod TMU80MHF 80 Medium Heavy $320.00 Time Remaining: 25d 21h 38m Buy It Now for only: $320.00 |
 St Croix Premier Musky Rod PM70MHF 70 Medium Heavy 1pc $160.00 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 25m Buy It Now for only: $160.00 |
 G LOOMIS Muskie Fishing Rod MUR965 FREE SHIP+HAT $340.00 Time Remaining: 27d 22h 51m Buy It Now for only: $340.00 |
 G LOOMIS Muskie Fishing Rod MUR1026 FREE SHIP+HAT $360.00 Time Remaining: 27d 22h 50m Buy It Now for only: $360.00 |
 VINTAGE BERKLEY SERIES I MUSKIE NORTHERN PIKE CASTING ROD SILICON CARBIDE $99.99 Time Remaining: 5d 19h 10m |
 G LOOMIS Muskie Fishing Rod MUR966 FREE SHIP+HAT $350.00 Time Remaining: 27d 22h 51m Buy It Now for only: $350.00 |
 St Croix Legend Tournament Musky Rod TMU76XHF 76 X Heavy $330.00 Time Remaining: 25d 21h 32m Buy It Now for only: $330.00 |
 9 Singl Piece Musky Rod Muskie Northern Pike Lure Bait $120.00 Time Remaining: 6d 9h 30m Buy It Now for only: $120.00 |
 G Loomis Muskie Rod MUR965 $340.00 Time Remaining: 22h 34m Buy It Now for only: $340.00 |
 Reaction Strike 8 Musky Bulldawg Spence Petros rod $50.00 Time Remaining: 9h 51m |
 St Croix Legend Tournament Musky Rod LTMU73MHF 73 Medium Heavy $300.00 Time Remaining: 25d 21h 28m Buy It Now for only: $300.00 |
 St Croix Legend Tournament Musky Rod TMU73MHF 73 Medium Heavy $300.00 Time Remaining: 25d 21h 29m Buy It Now for only: $300.00 |
 G LOOMIS Muskie Fishing Rod MUR967 FREE SHIP+HAT $355.00 Time Remaining: 27d 22h 50m Buy It Now for only: $355.00 |
 2 BULK 10 Switch Blade Spinnerbait Bucktail Musky Lure Northern Pike Muskie Rod $36.95 Time Remaining: 21d 9h 29m Buy It Now for only: $36.95 |
 Reaction Strike 9 Musky Bulldawg Spence Petros rod $50.00 Time Remaining: 1d 9h 52m |
 St Croix Mojo Musky Rod MM72MHF 72 Medium Heavy 1pc $140.00 Time Remaining: 8d 2h 31m Buy It Now for only: $140.00 |
 St Croix Legend Tournament Musky Rod LTMU86XHF 86 X Heavy $360.00 Time Remaining: 25d 21h 55m Buy It Now for only: $360.00 |
 St Croix Legend Tournament Musky Rod TMU86XHF 86 X Heavy $360.00 Time Remaining: 25d 22h Buy It Now for only: $360.00 |
Musky Rod
How to Play and Land Your Fish (part Six - the Rod)
Of course, your rod plays a big part when it comes to playing and landing a fish. Once the fish is hooked, let your rod do the work. A rod works at it's best flexing forward under pressure, recovering when the pressure weakens, when it is held nearly vertical.
You should never point your rod at a fish to play him, but keep your rod tip high during most of the fight. This is particularly important when playing a strong, fast fish in shallow water with obstructions. Holding your rod high helps to raise the line and keep it free of snags. A fish should not be given anything solid to pull against. When your rod is nearly vertical it will flex under the pull, and take most of the strain. But if you reel a fish too close to your rod tip, he'll get a more direct pull and could break away.
Whenever possible, stop a fish from taking out too much line. The shorter the line, the more you will feel the pressure, and that pressure will be more easily controlled. However, the trade off is there is less cushioning of the sudden shocks, which a longer line will take up because of it's elasticity.
When the fish is fresh and wild, play him at a little distance, and use the cushioning effect of a moderate length of line. After he has lost that first edge, keep him as close as possible. Of course, when you hook a big northern pike, or muskie, there's not a lot you can do about the amount of line you pay out. Some big 'uns take the fight out of your hands, and all you can do is hang on and hope.
If you are playing a fish in a stream, or river, try to keep him fighting upstream as much as you can. If he's battling the current as well as the rod he'll tire that much quicker. If the current is strong however, get him out of it quickly. Lead him into an eddy or the quieter waters of a large pool.
Sometimes you'll be faced with the decision of whether to stop a fish at the risk of breaking your line or leader, or let him swim into a tangle of snags, or rapids. You are the only one who can make the decision. You can chose to stop the fish and lose a leader, or you can stop them and bring them in. No-one can really know what's going to happen. You just make your choice and then do the best you can.
A fish that's hooked properly won't necessarily escape when given a little slack in the line, but it's usually better to keep it taut. Having said that, slack would be given when a fish jumps, to avoid him breaking the line. Lower the rod qickly to an almost horizontal position. This will give the leaping fish less chance to snap your line by falling on it. As soon as the fish is back in the water, take up the slack by raising your rod tip to it's high position.
That pretty much covers the very basics of rod work. Of course there's a lot more to it than that, but working with those pointers in mind, time and experience will develop your own individual rod style that works for you.
About the Author
Chris Haycock is an information publisher. One of whose many hobbies is fishing, of all types. Also researching resources to help the angler. For details of one such amazing resource go to:
http://www.lostflyfishingsecrets.com
What rod should I buy for Musky Fishing?
I recently bought a new Abu Garcia C3 Baitcaster. I really would rather prefer not to break the bank when buying a rod to put it on. What specifics should I look for when buying a rod? Also, what kind of line should I buy? How many #'s test? I am casting a 9 inch Suick Thriller.
I am a beginner, so I don't really know what kind of specifications to look for. If there is any type of "strength" rating to look for to make sure the rod doesn't snap. (since ideally I will be fighting with 20 or 30 pound muskies) Thanks a lot
Here is a great website to help you answer some of your questions: www.musky.com/Features/BalTack.htm
I've found it helpful. I am not sure how much breaks the bank (every rod I buy, my wife tells me breaks our bank).
Picking the Right Musky Rod - The Next Bite - Site Bites - Season 1