What type of rod?

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Hey guys, Im going on a trip next year that includes big northern fishing. I scooped up a couple of on sale 6.75 oz musky lures from Bass Pro to try. Made it out to Olcott pier yesterday and figured I'd toss them out there for practice. Well, my 8.5 ft med. heavy spinning rod didnt seem like enough rod. Are these lures meant to be cast out, or just dropped over the side of the boat and trolled? If they are castable, what rod is appropriate?

[HybridHunter]

Can you post a pic of the baits? Regaurdless, you will want an 8-9ft XX heavy rod for those. Check out tackle industries.

Edited December 24, 2015 by FishinNY

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[HybridHunter]

Yeah, those type of baits require a real stout rod. What time of year are you going in your trip?

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End of July

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Thanks for the info.

[muskiedreams]

Those kind of lures are used a lot for deep river jigging. Typically 15 to 20 fow.jigging just off bottom or dragging along bottom. You can also cast and jig or swim them toward the boat. Easiest to use with a baitcast rod and reel. Reel should be a musky size reel spooled up with 50 to 80 lb test braid. Power Pro is good.You can get away with a 7.5 ft med heavy to 8 or 9 ft heavy musky rod. Sometimes people troll with them but not usually. You will need extra long nose pliers and hook cutters.

 

Other lure suggestions are large (6"+) spinners, spinnerbaits,and spoons.  A few crankbaits in the same size range that you can troll or cast and twitch might also come in handy.

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Is a Shimano 300 Curado big enough. I'll be fishing for Northerns, not Musky. Hopefully connect with a 20 pounder.

[HybridHunter]

Yes, that's big enough. I asked what time of year you were going because the size of those baits aren't effective all year long. Honestly, I don't fish with baits that large for pike, even though they do work. Depending on where you are headed, that time of year can be tough. Best times are May into June and mid to late fall. I'd be trolling for them if I was fishing in July for pike. Deep diving cranks would be my choice.

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One of the guides told me to get 7oz Bondy baits. I think i'll be using them for the Lake trout as well that we'll be targeting. Sounds like a learning experiance, and a workout.

[HybridHunter]

Bondys are awesome, and his style of fishing and baits are very effective. Jigging is a whole other setup and style in its own. Most jiggers use 9' XXH rods with 80-100lb braid, 200lb wire leaders, and 400 series reels. Look up Jon Bondy and how he fishes the Detroit river.

[old man]

July is a tough month for pike in these parts. You can stick a few shallow at first and last light. I like blades when the water is warm. Mepps musky maribou,ghostails,any bucktail with a #8 blade or 2. I use double 10's then like super girls but your spinning combo won't handle that. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good fight!

[NPike]

I use Husky Jerks and Salt Water Rapalas while up north in Canada. I fish them as you would any other jerkbait. I've caught numerous pike between 20 to 25 pounds. Never found the need for anything any bigger while up north. For Musky's I do use some bigger baits.

[iceman05]

If your not looking to drop a ton of money gander mountain has a decent heavy musky rod for like $75 should work fine for pike casting heavy baits

[skunked again!]

I ended up getting a 2 pc. 9ft Okuma Magnum XH casting rod for $ 99. Its good for lures 2-8 oz. I've taken it out a couple times for practice and it seems to be plenty of rod. I think it only weighs like 9 oz.