reels for musky

[sweatyspartan]

I'm looking at buying some new reels for musky (I'll probably use them on my down rods). Right now I've been looking at some Okuma 45dx and 30dx both with line counters. These reels are relatively inexpensive. I'm trying to avoid spending over $75 on each reel, but I also want something that is going to last. I've heard lots of good things about Penns, but the price is much higher. I'll probably only use them half a dozen times a year.

Any advice on the Okumas?

[mschirr]

I run the Okuma's for Walleye and hate them. I had the Daiwa's and they were stolen last year so taking the cheap way out baught the Okuma's, bad mistake. Of the four, one had to be replaced two weeks after purchase and one of the other ones is just shy of a year old and needs to be replaced. Something inside binds up and only works when it wants to. I am hoping to get through this year then will go back to the Daiwa, it's worth the money. I have heard ok things about Okuma but haven't had good luck with mine. You can get the Daiwa line counters at BP for $80 or so. Good Luck.

[sweatyspartan]

I may be wrong, but wasn't Okuma a supplier for Diawa and they build their reels using the same components as the Diawa reels?

[Contender]

take a look on eBay and go after your Penn reels there. Should be able to get some nice used ones for under $80, if you play the time game.

For down rods, consider 320 Gti and also 310 Gti reels. Plenty of line capacity for your boat rods.

[Mark-n-Fish]

PM Slick Fishing if you want. He has 2 new Ambassaduer 7000 reels for sale. I was going to get them for walleye. They may be good enough for Musky too. I would have bought them but things got tight with the wallet. :mad:

[sweatyspartan]

PM Slick Fishing if you want. He has 2 new Ambassaduer 7000 reels for sale. I was going to get them for walleye. They may be good enough for Musky too. I would have bought them but things got tight with the wallet. :mad:

Those are quality reels, but my only concer is line capacity. They only hold 160 yds of 25lb test. Now that I think about it, thats nearly 500 feet of line. I would probably go with 30lb test (at least thats what I've heard as the norm). I know these reels would hold up to muskie, but would the line capacity be an issue or are there any other issues with using these for muskie?

Thanks for all the input so far!

[kbkrause]

Those are quality reels, but my only concer is line capacity. They only hold 160 yds of 25lb test. Now that I think about it, thats nearly 500 feet of line. I would probably go with 30lb test (at least thats what I've heard as the norm). I know these reels would hold up to muskie, but would the line capacity be an issue or are there any other issues with using these for muskie?

Thanks for all the input so far!

One option is to go with power pro 50#, it is about the same as 12# mono, even with a mono backer you could put a decent amount of line on that reel.

[sweatyspartan]

One option is to go with power pro 50#, it is about the same as 12# mono, even with a mono backer you could put a decent amount of line on that reel.

I love power pro, but will that result in more lost fish from a lack of stretch? Would a mono leader give it enough stretch?

sorry if these are stupid questions....never rigged up for Muskie before

[PencilPlugger]

Poor quality reels WILL break, especially the one's used as boat rods (speaking from experience). I use Okuma reels for whipping but I don't think they'd have a chance lasting more than a couple of hours trolling 6"-8" baits at 4-6 MPH. My muskie reels are either Daiwa or Penns.

[ESOX]

I shredded a pair of Okuma Magdas in one day when I pressed them into muskie service.(Left a pair of Sealines up north by accident) One lasted till the first fish hit, the drive and secondary gear instantly shattered and the reel siezed. The other one made it about 3 hours when the levelwind drive gear gave up the ghost. Never again, I'll stick with my Daiwa Sealines and Shimano Tekotas.

[roger23]

Ambassadeur 6500's work for me broke a few rods never a real problem I went back to fiberglass rods

[ESOX]

I love power pro, but will that result in more lost fish from a lack of stretch?

Not in my expierence. just use a nice limber Ugly Stick, it'll take the shock., not too much stretch in 30' of 30# mono anyhow.;)

[sweatyspartan]

Not in my expierence. just use a nice limber Ugly Stick, it'll take the shock., not too much stretch in 30' of 30# mono anyhow.;)


yeah....I guess there isn't much stretch over such a short distance. Sounds like the Ambassaduers will work for me!

[slowpoke]

They will work.