Muskie Fishing
Ontario Muskie Fishing
The Next
Bite
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  Long
Rods
by Pete Maina
It seems the trend in rod length for nearly all
species is growing longer. The reasons are many,
with one simply being advances in technology –
in both rods and line. Rods are much lighter and
more sensitive as compared to their predecessors
– yet as strong or stronger. The advances in
line are simply amazing, with the superbraids
and fused lines. Nearly zero stretch,
exceptional abrasion resistance, and with less
diameter. On average, I’ll use 80 to 100 lb.
test (in Spiderwire’s UltraCast). For muskie and
northern pike anglers, longer is certainly
better when it comes to rods. Previously,
shorter rods were just the standard, but it was
also thought to be a necessity to have a “pool
cue” action in order to get the necessary
hookset for bony mouths; and rightfully-so to a
certain extent, considering the high stretch
lines that were the only thing available at the
time.
Today’s superlines have virtually zero stretch,
meaning longer rods with faster actions actually
provide for the best hooksets, offering
exceptional snap to a hookset. And, because of
the lack of stretch in line, super stout actions
are now counterproductive, creating too much
shock during battle. Longer rods cast much
better too, but most importantly allow for
better figure 8’s or O’s at boatside, increasing
the percentages of strikes by allowing far wider
and longer turns – as well as straight-aways;
huge boatside triggering maneuvers can be
performed, easily changing depth ranges during
the process. Sometimes following fish can be
triggered prior to boatside, simply by sweeping
these long rods from side-to-side – changing the
direction of straight-retrieve lures like
spinners as they near the boat. They also offer
far better control while fighting fish, allowing
you to steer the fish and control the fight.
These days I use rods from 7’ 6” to 9 in length,
and mainly 8 ˝ to 9. The longer rods that I use
in the Bass Pro Shops “Muskie Angler” series,
are generally two-piece, to make storage much
easier.
The only legitimate downside, really, to longer
rods – comes in the area of safety. If folks are
not aware of others in the boat, and are not the
type to cast overhead (“sidewinders”, guides
call them), these longer rods can be very
dangerous. Be aware of other anglers and the
path of your lures at all times.
 
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