I've got a Phenix USB-790H swimbait blank. Rated for 2-8 oz. lures. I now figure I'm not throwing it here in Minnesota for bass, but I do have a musky trip coming up where we'll be trolling big plugs. Would this blank be okay for that application? Can it handle the shock of a musky hitting it when trolled up to 4 mph?

Thanks in advance.

AC
FishinFreaks
Rogers, MN

Most musky guys like a glass rod for trolling or fishing suckers. Shock is the reason. Guys like to set the hook on sucker rigs like Mike Tyson punching a hooker...which is about what you get when a big musky slams a trolled bait. That being said, you should be able to get away with a more moderate action graphite blank. I'm not sure what the Phenix blanks are like, I've never held one. If it's just a trip or two, I wouldn't worry about it. If I were going to be doing alot of trolling for muskies, I'd make the switch to glass.

jeremy

Not familiar with that blank, but for trolling if you are a little "iffy" - either run mono or back the drag off on the reel a little to lessen the shock on the strike. Some musky guys push the limit too much on trolling rigs and keep the drag locked down - it's not necessary.

And for musky - sharpen those hooks!

Good Luck,

Marc

Marc Morrone Wrote:
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> Not familiar with that blank, but for trolling if
> you are a little "iffy" - either run mono or back
> the drag off on the reel a little to lessen the
> shock on the strike. Some musky guys push the
> limit too much on trolling rigs and keep the drag
> locked down - it's not necessary.
>
> And for musky - sharpen those hooks!
>
> Good Luck,
>
> Marc

Great advice!

jeremy

Basically, you can use any rod that you want for trolling for musky.
Just set the drag to be less tight than the breaking strength of any rod that you use. You will be good to go.

When trolling for musky, there is really no need to set the hook. The muskies will impale themselves when they slam a bait.

If you find that the fish is overwelming the rod, then don't use the rod to land the fish.. Simply point the rod directly at the fish and reel. Use your arm and elbow to land the fish.

Used this way, you can use an ultra light to get a musky to the boat. Unconventional, but successful.

Just set the drag right for the rod you are using and you will be in good shape.

Take care
REW

roger wilson Wrote:
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> Basically, you can use any rod that you want for
> trolling for musky.
> Just set the drag to be less tight than the
> breaking strength of any rod that you use. You
> will be good to go.
>
> When trolling for musky, there is really no need
> to set the hook. The muskies will impale
> themselves when they slam a bait.
>
> If you find that the fish is overwelming the rod,
> then don't use the rod to land the fish.. Simply
> point the rod directly at the fish and reel. Use
> your arm and elbow to land the fish.
>
> Used this way, you can use an ultra light to get a
> musky to the boat. Unconventional, but successful.
>
>
> Just set the drag right for the rod you are using
> and you will be in good shape.
>
> Take care
> REW

While that may be true in theory, I think the best approach is to use the proper equipment for the task at hand.

jeremy

Jeremy,
You are 100% correct.
But if you don't either have the right equipment at hand, or can't afford to get the right equipment, don't stop fishing if you have a substitute piece of gear.

Roger

So after an 1/2 hour of fighting a muskie on an ultra light and the fish dies does that make it right? Either use the right gear or dont fish.

Rolly Beenen
Rovic Custom Rods

So you have never caught a big fish on light tackle? What a shame. Fish can almost always be revived if you take your time doing it.

Rufus
Port Saint Lucie, FL

I do think this blank is heavy enough for fighting muskies. I was mainly worried about it handling the shock while trolling.

Thanks for the input guys. I'll probably loosen the drag while trolling and tighten up while fighting.

AC
FishinFreaks
Rogers, MN

Rufus Rhoden Wrote:
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> So you have never caught a big fish on light
> tackle? What a shame. Fish can almost always be
> revived if you take your time doing it.

Rufus,

I doubt you'll find a musky fisherman anywhere that would recommend it. If fact, if you go to any of the musky forums and tell guys that you like to do that, you're going to get an ear full! You may be able to revive the fish enough that it swims off, but that doesn't mean it will survive. Playing a fish to exhaustion is never a good idea in my opinion, doesn't matter what fish it is.

jeremy

I dont have any experience with musky I fish saltwater almost exclusively. But if I build a rod to catch snook im going to build it to catch the pretty common 5-10 pound fish. But what happens when I hook a 25 pound fish? Im not advocating going out and fishing ultra light gear to catch big fish but im also not going to build a rod for thirty pound fish if that is a rare occurence. But when I hook one I have to fight them a little longer and take the time to revive them.

Rufus
Port Saint Lucie, FL

Thornre Brothers sells a nice glass trolling blank you can hack off 3" off the tip and it rocks. Good price and close to home as well.

Eric
Lino Lakes, MN