Hey guys, 

 

I just ordered a left handed shimano cardiff 401 today. Felt really good holding it at bass pro so I went home and ordered it for a lot cheaper online. This is my first baitcaster. I am planning on using it for Pike, cats, and anything of bigger size I can. I was thinking a medium heavy okuma evx. Does anyone have any feedback on this? I could save a little more and get a mojo Muskie, but kind of want to stick around the 100$ range. Thanks guys!

Bump. 

 

 

So I am thinking out purchasing a bps catmaxx rod. It's a great rod for big fish(caught a 55lb sturgeon on my dad's) and I believe the tip is stiff enough to where it could be used for Pike and Muskie. Also, it is a medium heavy, and I believe if I get it in 7' or 7"6, it would be great for casting lures as well. Any feedback guys?

If you intend to use it for casting lures to pike and musky, I would buy a pike or musky rod rather than a catfish rod. Catfish rods tend to be heavier and have a softer action. A musky rod would work for baiting catfish but a catfish rod would probably not work great for casting musky lures. I don’t know about the BPS rod but if you think it would work then you make the call.

You see I was under the impression that a Muskie rod would not work well for cats because of the stiffness. Any models you can suggest that might do well for both?

There is no problem with a stiff catfish rod, it works just as well as a softer rod. The main reason catfish rods are softer is because they are made of fiberglass for durability. Glass rods such as Ugly Stiks are pretty much indestructible, but also very heavy and not sensitive. You should have no problem using a strong graphite musky rod for cats.