If you are buying musky rods a few tips will help. There are things people overlook when buying a rod. You find out after getting the rod it does not meet your expectations. Start before you buy, find out what you need.
The two biggest mistakes are rod length and handle length. If either is too short the rod will cast poorly. Both features provide the leverage you need for long casts. These are the obvious issues that are easy to see.
The performance of the blank. Some rods are softer at the tip. While others are stiff. In some cases, a rod is too stiff or soft. This affects how the rod loads for casting. A rod overloading cannot spring back and launch heavier lures. The stiff rod does not load resulting in short casts with lighter baits.
Then the quality of the components matters also. A good rod is going to cost more. You can find lower-cost rods that cast well. Yet the guides, reel seat, or handles tend to be of low quality. As a result, they fail or do not last a long time.
Tips on Lengths of Rods
Tips for the length of musky rods are a critical aspect. A rod of the wrong length will not perform well. The rod will provide little satisfaction while fishing. People today have more options in rod lengths.
When I started musky fishing short stiff rods were normal. The rods compared to pool cues. They were short and stiff. The rods lacked good casting performance.
Today I have rods in several lengths. All fill a need in musky fishing. That said, you can get one rod for all-around use. It is best to start with one rod and learn.
If you are starting out in musky fishing. You will find an 8 to 8-1/2 feet rod best. It has the length for longer casts. Yet is lighter in weight to limit fatigue while fishing for hours. Longer rods do cause fatigue. Shorter rods will not cast as far.
How Length Affects a Rod
Longer rods of 9 feet or more are good for casting bucktails, spoons, and other lighter baits. I find the long rods work well for larger softer plastics also. The downside is the weight of the rods. They are heavier in weight. Plus long rods tend to be tip heavy. You have to hold the rod up.
The shorter rods will not cast as far. Bucktails will cast around 1/2 to 2/3rds the distance between a 7 1/2 and 9 feet rod. The short rods do cast jerkbaits, crankbaits, and most topwater fairly well. The rods are lightweight, you can cast longer time periods with the shorter rods.
You can see rod length has effects on performance. Rods in the 8 to 8-1/2 feet length work for all around. Longer rods excel with some lures. Short rods allow you to fish longer times without fatigue.
Note; A figure eight move is easier with a longer-length rod. This is another reason to go longer with a musky rod.
Handles
You want length in the handle also. The short handle limits your leverage when casting. This is the rear grip or handle part. Finding a long handle is easy but the length of the rear grip is what matters.
You will find rear grip lengths of 14 inches and up. The 14-inch rear grip is too short. I prefer a 16-18 inch rear grip. You are casting with both hands.
A few more inches add more leverage for casting the heavier lures. On a 7-1/2 feet rod at least a 15-16 inch handle. Longer rods in the 8-1/2 or longer get a 17-18 inch handle. I did not buy rods due to the short rear grip.
Although not a deal breaker, a full grip feels better. It is for the tuck. The handle is against your side tucked under your arm. A full grip simply feels better. Check the diameter also. Does the diameter feel good in your hand? Some rods have skinny or fatter grips.
Blanks and Quality Tips
The main feature of the blank is how it loads. You need to check the lure rating of the rod. Try to find a rod with a good range. Your lures will cast best using the middle 2/3rds of the rating. Okuma rods do perform better in the lower 2/3rds. St Croix rods are the opposite performing in the upper 2/3 rds well.
The majority of manufacturers fall more towards the middle part of the range. The rod loading and length are the main factors for casting performance.
Rod Power
How the rod flexes has an effect on fighting fish also. You want it to flex enough when the fish surges but not be wimpy either. A rod in the heavy to extra heavy power is good for most fishing presentations.
A medium-heavy or rods above extra heavy power limit the use of lures. They are for lures under 2 ounces or over 8 ounces. The majority of lures fall between 1-1/2 to 6 ounces for musky. The lures weighing 5-6 ounces will wear you down casting too.
Rods with telescopic butt sections help with storing the rod. If buying a rod over 8 feet storage can be an issue. Telescopic rods collapse down about a foot.
Some rods will go down in size more. Take into account transporting and storing the rod. These rods perform well and are becoming more common.
Quality of the Rod
One tip I always give about musky rods is to spend enough for a decent rod. Buying based on low prices is not a good thing. The rods have cheaper guides, reel seats, and handles. Better guides use higher-quality inserts. This helps with casting distance.
Rods costing under 100 dollars tend to have reel seat problems. It is common for the seat to break on the lowest-cost rods. Plus the handle uses cheaper cork or foam for the grips. These handles feel rough and do not last as long.
A good price range for a musky rod is between 120 and 300 dollars. You can get a good rod for 120-180 or a very good rod in the 200-300 range. Rods costing more will be lighter in weight but is it worth the cost to you?
Conclusions Tips for Musky Rods
When buying a musky rod look at the lengths of the handle and rod overall. Check the quality of the reel seat and guides. How much does the rod weigh? A longer rod is heavier but needed for some lures. In other words, make sure the rod fits your needs. These tips for musky rods apply to any rod.