I’m starting to get into musky fishing and I’m not good with a bait caster reel so I would like to use a spinning reel what size should I use?  I was thinking about a Quantum Energy E40PTiA.  230 yards of 10# spool, 5.2:1 gear ratio, and max drag of 20#.  Is this too small too big or just right?  Suggestions welcome.

Thanks

Tony  

For the smaller ones that could work...but I have to believe that 230 yds of 10# test isn't going to cut it for serious musky fishing.

Although...if that was say 175 yds of 30 lb test braid...that would be more suitable.... JMHO.

I'd personally look for something bigger....say a medium / heavy inshore saltwater spinning reel.

I have to agree with Dave(as usual). I fish almost exclusively with spinning tackle and rarely target muskie. That said, I wonder if even the largest spinning reel has a drag stout enough for a large muskie or even a good sized Northern.

I also troll Lk. Mich for salmon and trout and leave the spinning tackle at home. Big fish, big tackle, although for muskie I doubt you need the large linecounters we use for salmon, but I still feel that a baitcaster is better suited to very large fish and you have to suck it up and learn to use one. Sorry! Good luck.

Tom

How about a Quantum Coba CSP70PTs, spool size 310 yds. / 17 lbs. gear ratio 4.9:1, max drag is 38 lbs.  With power pro line that would be 310 yds. At 65# test.  The reel I choose is going on a Grandt rod extra heavy 7’ musky tarpon spinning rod.  I do prefer Quantum reels.

I do need to learn how to use a bait caster but I do like spinning reels.  I have seen people bring in big fish 50# + on spinning reels with less drag than this one. 38# is lot of drag or am I wrong. We were down in the Florida I got a 50# tarpon on a spinning reel.  Charter boat gear.  The max drag on the bait casters is the same the gear ratio is larger.  Is this what I need to base my decision on? 

THANKS! 

Tony 

davesett2000 wrote:

Many  good northern and musky have been caught on spinning tackle. This will "tie in" to a discussion about drag setting
Life Member David BB Linkmeister US Army '78-'85 West Central Wisconsin

Are you saying that I should use the smaller reel and up the line weight and watch the drag? 

Thanks

Tony

Definitely not....just stating fact. Trust me....if you get a 40 lb'er on the end of your line....you'll be thankful for every bit of drag that a bigger reel can offer.

But a properly set drag will prevent both line breakage and rod breakage.

I'd have no problem feeling comfortable with the "70" model reel you listed above.

walley hunter wrote:

davesett2000 wrote:

Many  good northern and musky have been caught on spinning tackle. This will "tie in" to a discussion about drag setting
Life Member David BB Linkmeister US Army '78-'85 West Central Wisconsin

 

Are you saying that I should use the smaller reel and up the line weight and watch the drag? 

Thanks

Tony

Davesett2000’

Thank you for your advice I just didn’t want to overdo it. I will look into the heaver reel.

Thanks

Tony

You're welcome Tony! About the only way to overdo a reel for muskie is to use a deep sea reel.

You'll find guys trolling with Ambassaduer 7000's...a pretty hefty reel...but when you're chasing fish that will approach 60 lbs...around logs and stumps...then you need a little OOMPH in your reel.

The other cool thing about that 70 PTs reel is that if you ever get around big stripers....this should also work quite well for you.

Come back later and let us know how this works out for you

Dave ,

Wow that a beefy reel. I will let you know how it works.  How about some insight on leaders. 

Thanks again 

Tony

As you know Dave, we have had an on-going conversation concerning musky reels.  I have the desire to convert several of my saltwater spinning reels & rods over to fresh water fishing.  All of my saltwater reels are Penn; 750SS for surf fishing, 5500 for medium surf and trolling, a 450SS which I converted to lake trout jiging, a 4500 for light surfing (tossing jigs into the surf boils) and a 309 lw that I have converted for catfishing.  I had spoken about the use of the 750SS for musky fishing, but I am not sure I would like to cast continuously, all day long with a 10' Ugly stick!  As far as the drag on any of these reels holding up, I would match them with any bait caster of comparable size.  These reels bring in some large saltwater species provided they are not trying to bring in a marlin or large tuna, something on that order.  My thought is using a braided line with perhaps something on the order of the 5500.  At least I could cast that all day long and the reel would still have the strengh and guts to handle a musky to 50# (not that I would actually catch one a them buggers...hehehe)!  But it would be nice to be able to utlize the 750SS for this purpose.  Shall we continue this discussion, Bro?!  BTW, I am a firm believer in using a combination of line strength, reel drag, rod flexability and rod length in my efforts to land a large fish!  I hope this discussion will add merit to this thread!

Hey 'bro!

After looking at both the 5500 and the 750ss on Ebay, I'd have to go with the 750ss, as it's rated for 220 yds of 20 lb line, versus 230 of 10 lb for the 5500. This tells me that the drag should be stronger on the 750ss.

My feeling on this is as stated before. In most musky waters (especially here in the upper Midwest), you're either dealing with a reservoir full of stumps and trees....or at the very least, crappie cribs and christmas trees that have been sunk over the years for cover. To me, this equates to having more control over a fish versus surf fishing, where school fish are used to running open water with very few snags.

I'd agree that the 10 ft rod is a little long, but you will notice that a lot of guys have gone to longer rods for muskie in recent years. So much to the point that eve 5 time champ Pete Maina came out with several rods that are 8' 6". Better leverage on big fish...which is also used by many a salmon / steelhead fisher out west.

BTW...there's parts and spools for BOTH of your reels up on Ebay at the moment

I ended up putting a E40PTIA on the rod it balanced out well and to date have three Muskie under my belt two above 36” one at 38”on that setup it is about setting the drag.  I spooled it up with 40# power pro and 9” titanium leader, have had no problems yet.  Mostly walleye fishing know boat whent in April 14, but the early April Muskie was fun.  Thanks for all the suggestions and help.