I have a 10' surf-rod[7-9oz] that I use to throw bulldogs[the lure not the animal] from shore for muskie.Every time I go out fishing someone says that it's compleatly overkill.Should I be using a smaller rod,or should I just give them the finger and tell 'em to get lost?

My dad had an 11' surf rod with a Penn levelwind on it and I swear he could cast 300+ yds with it. A 10' rod is overkill from a boat unless you are trolling dipseys, but from shore should get you some distance. The longest rod I cast with is 7.5', but I don't shore fish large lakes. Skip giving them the finger and catch a bigger fish. Tom

A LOT of folks laughed at catfisherman when some of them started using surf rods for shore fishing a few years back. Even more were snickering at folks like Pete Maina & Doug Stange when they 1st started advocating longer (8' 6" for example) rods for muskie.

 

You don't hear many laughs now....especially since that young guy Cody caught that +120 lb cat down in Texas (I THINK the rod was a 12' Ugly Stik surf rod)....and some of those guys are using 15 ft rods. And a lot MORE of those "doubters" have bought the longer muskie-specific rods....and you sure don't read about any complaints from them.

 

I'm sure some of those "commenters" mean well....but at the same time....some folks just gotta stick their noses into other people's business.

 

Longer rods give better casting distance, which CAN help when shore fishing. The extra leverage is a bonus too.

 

The only down side is the extra weight that comes with the longer rod. As long as YOU are comfortable with it...and what you're doing...I wouldn't pay any attention to what they say.

Life Member David BB Linkmeister US Army '78-'85 West Central Wisconsin

Take a kid fishing "http://www.takemefishing.org/fishing/overview"

But which is easier to toss a short rod or a long one.
Lifemember and Bushwacker SMF upstate NY

Just pulled a 38'' and 42'' yesterday with the surf rod, the people with the short rods only pulled two follows and a 32''.

score one for the long rod  

It's that time of year...ESPECIALLY where the toothy critters live...that they put on the feedbag...and start being a LOT more active. They prefer the colder water....the big ones like it the most.

 

They don't mind bad weather either...so just because a storm is blowing through....even snow flurries....as long as you aren't dealing with lightning....that is a good time too.

 

Congrats on your 2 fish

Life Member David BB Linkmeister US Army '78-'85 West Central Wisconsin

way to go and show them a thing or 2 and yes congrats on the 2 nice 3 fish.

i use a 9ft noodle rod for pike in the spring and this time of yr. from shore. would have gone out today myself, but been sick and still not feeling good enough to get out.