I am looking for a musky rod and reel combo or at least something that shouldnt have a problem with casting lures and catching musky. I dont have alot of money to purchase an expensive one, i understand they are most of the time quite expensive but if anyone knows something affordable that i could get from anywhere, that would be great. i have also been going for pike recently, i have a 65lb translucent - white braid but ive heard with pike you NEED a leader of some sort. I dont know if i need one or not and would appreciate some advice on that.

When picking a rod and reel for muskies, you’ll need to first know what lures you’ll be throwing. Musky lures can weigh as much as a pound! Plus, many lures offer a lot of resistance especially when you jerk them hard. You can’t get away with a bass reel that can’t handle that amount of stress, you’ll destroy it. Inexpensive is not often used to describe anything made to handle musky lures. Bass gear can easily handle catching and landing a musky but not throwing lures designed to catch them.

@Scott F covered most of it well.

...but yes, you will need a wire bite guard. I tie tieable wire into my main line, when put a swivel at the end of the wire. This eliminates an upper swivel bashing into your guides.

Piscifun Alinox 400 size reel, Daiwa Prorex XT rod. Gonna need a big net so you can handle them boat side in a manner that's safe for both you and the fish. Then a handful of cranks, blades, and rubber. Figure around $400 to get started. Some single strand wire leaders are all you need for the baits I mentioned. I mostly use 130# leader and 80# braid.

Purchased Bass Pro Shops Muskie Series rods a few years back for a trip to Canada to chase large pike. Both were 7 footer rods. Paired them with old Shimano Citica and Curado reels.

• Medium heavy, 15-30 lb, 1/2-2 oz lures, rod weight 6.80 ounces = $49.99

• Extra heavy, 30-80 lb, 4-10 oz lures, rod weight 6.80 ounces = $49.00

I went with 7' because they would fit in my rod locker. Stout rods that could handle large pike/Musky. They are heavy and it's a chore to cast them all day. Do yourself a favor and prepare early, start working those arms and wrists now.

Paired with 40lb power pro and 18-24" steel leaders. Did get a huge net, gloves, large pliers, mouth spreader.

We are headed back up to Canada this August. Can't wait!!

12 hours ago, DaubsNU1 said:

We are headed back up to Canada this August.

I don't want to be a Debbie downer here, but there's a lot of fires and smoke up there. I'm not exactly sure where you're going. Many areas in Ontario are off limits.

Might want to look into that before you head out from Nebraska. Just a suggestion.

3 hours ago, gim said:

I don't want to be a Debbie downer here, but there's a lot of fires and smoke up there. I'm not exactly sure where you're going. Many areas in Ontario are off limits.

Might want to look into that before you head out from Nebraska. Just a suggestion.

Thanks @gim!

Friends just finished a trip to the same lodge we are going to in August. All was good. They boated a bunch of very nice fish.