Musky, the fish of 10,000 casts, freshwaters most elusive predator and ultimate trophy. To do battle with these beasts and come out on top you need the right gear for the job. Muskie fishing demands tough gear specifically designed for musky fishing. Your bass rods just aren't going to cut it. Unfortunately, muskie gear typically comes with a large price tag. This makes it hard to get into unless you're already an avid angler and dedicated to the hunt.
This season we experimented with some lower price tag options to see what the best options are for anglers out there who just want to dip their toes in. While the prices are 1/2 and even 1/4 the price compared to the top of the line models we were surprised just how well these tools performed. While we can't tell at this time how the gear will hold up in the long run the price tag makes it an easy choice for beginners or the seasoned musky angler looking for a backup or for a technique not used all the time.
Best Budget Muskie Reel:
Piscifun Alijoz - This reel comes in a 300 and 400 size. The 300 series can handle more than enough line with 80 lb braid and delivers 33 Lbs of drag! That is almost 30% more than most Musky reels on the market. With 3 different gear ratios available (5.9:1, 6.6:1, 8.1:1) anglers can easily get a reel for their target application. The best part of these reels is the price point! Available on Amazon with next day delivery for Prime members at a cost of only $110 CDN these are less than 1/3 the price of most other reels in similar categories. The 300 series is a lower profile than other 300 series reels on the market which can be benefit for those with smaller hands or anglers new to musky fishing with comfort using traditional bass sized gear.
Best Budget Muskie Rod:
Two new rods have recently hit the market for musky fishing and we don't have enough good things to say about them. Both have offered exceptional performance throughout the season and at a price point of only $120 they just can't be beat!
Daiwa Prorex XT - We purchased this rod for use with big rubber and other extremely heavy baits. Being able to handle up to 18 oz this rod did not disappoint but it was also surprisingly effective for fishing bucktails earlier in the year. The larger rods are telescopic for easier transport & storage which is an added bonus for those who don't have a big boat to keep it in.
Daiwa DXSB - This rod has an extremely small diameter when considering the size of lures it can handle. This rod looks and feels much more like a bass rod than a musky rod but can handle baits up to 10 oz. This makes this rod a great introductory rod as well as a versatile rod for most applications musky anglers will face. Bucktails, swimbaits, glidebaits, or jerkbaits this rod can handle them all without tiring you out as much as other rods in the same class.
If you're in the market for a new musky rod or musky reel or maybe want to dip your toes into the sport without breaking the bank these options are sure to help you do that.
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