Canadian_Goose Posted January 4, 2007 Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 I am looking into getting into a very limited amount of musky/channel cat fishing. I want a rod and reel combo that isn't going to bust the bank. I only plan on doing this once or twice a year, and would prefer not to get a spinning reel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountaineer Posted January 5, 2007 Report Share Posted January 5, 2007 Re: Heavy duty freshwater Try a Shakespear Tidewater baitcaster on a nice Ugly Stik. The Tidewater's can be found at WalMart for around $40, and get really nice reviews on catfish forums. And Ugly Stik's are just plain good. I think they'll run you about $30 - $40 too. Won't break the bank, but will be dependable for more than a couple seasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DU_man_84 Posted January 5, 2007 Report Share Posted January 5, 2007 Re: Heavy duty freshwater ok i know youll only be fishing limited for both these species, but in my opinion i would honestly buy two different set up if possible, cause your gonna want to be using braided line for musky, people also use if for catfishing, but catfishing with your line, its gonna make it all slimy and crappy and your not gonna wanna use that line musky fishing, also your gonna want to different test lines for each type of fishing, just my opinion, but if you were gonna buy a set up and not break the pocket, yes the ugly stick is a good choice, i know a lot of buddies around here that use the cabelas whuppin sticks and they love em, i think there pretty nice too as for baitcasters i use all abu garcia, there little more expensive but well worth it, but like mountain said the shakespeare tidewater would be a good choice if you dont wanna break your pocket, IMHO its just hard to fish musky and catfish from the same rod just because its two completely different ways of fishing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tarbaby Posted January 6, 2007 Report Share Posted January 6, 2007 Re: Heavy duty freshwater I have a 7'0 medium heavy ugly stik with an Abu Garcia 5500 for the catfishing tournaments I do around here. Not sure about the muskie though.. Maybe you could buy a spare spool for the different line?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadian_Goose Posted January 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Re: Heavy duty freshwater maybe a different reel... how big of an ugly stick would you reccomend... I am totally ignorant to muskie fishing and have some limited experience fishing for cats with rigs. Will the shakespeare tidewater be anygood for casting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoyt03 Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Re: Heavy duty freshwater I've caught plenty of Muskie around here up to 45 inches on a medium light St Croix with 6lb test line. Of course they were accidental hookups but with playing the fish was able to boat them. Unless you are catching huge cats I think you could get away with using a Heavy action rod with a bait caster with like 12 -15 lb line and just use a steel leader is going after big lunges. Cabelas had some Diawa baitcasters on sale not oo long ago where you got a free rod with the purchase of the reel. Granted the reel was 150$ but once you add on a rod your looking at atleast 80$ for bottom line gear this would give you more of the upper line of gear for not too much more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OUTSIDER Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Re: Heavy duty freshwater Depends on the placs you will be fishing...I use a abu garcia bait caster, and a 6 foot tourney special from bass pro. Under 100 for the rod and reel. 20 pound test, steel leader for muskie, have caught up to 47 inches. And i have catfished with the same combo, caught a 28 pound flathead two summers ago with it. I fish small streams and rivers for muskie, lots of sticks and snags, have to get them in quick and it works great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Re: Heavy duty freshwater as far as reels go, the ambassador 5000 has always been my old stand by! as far as a rod, i own nothing but custom built rods! a bit more exspensive but in the long run well worth it! if you know a good rod builder talk with them, if not go to a swap meet or sportd show and look around. i have a 6' heavy action rod, and i can hold the tip to my throat and talk, you can hold the reel seat and feel it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadian_Goose Posted January 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2007 Re: Heavy duty freshwater will I need a heavy action rod? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggs Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 Re: Heavy duty freshwater if you're gonna be using heavy line and heavy lures, I'd get the heavy action. It will give you a lot of backbone when you're fighting the larger fish too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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