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Written by
Larry Stark, Founder / Main Editor
Professional fisherman, who loves to review new fishing gadgets.
We know how frustrating shopping for a new musky rod can be. First, you need a longer rod, but it must also be strong and durable enough to help you lure in those monster fish. And with countless available information, it’s normal to have your doubts.
Luckily, we know plenty about both smaller and bigger fish. With that experience, we can recommend some of the best musky rods currently on the market, helping you choose the right rod for you.
This article’s for everyone. From musky anglers on a budget to those looking to invest in a more expensive fishing rod, we’ve done the research that will help you decide either way! Let’s get right into it.
Top 3 Best Rods for Musky Fishing
St. Croix Premier Musky Casting
- Outstanding strength
- Great rod sensitivity
- 5-year warranty
- Durable
Best Musky Rod for Sensitivity
St Croix Triumph Spinning
- Perfect for ultra-light lures
- Great sensitivity
- Strong backbone
- Solid build
- Good balance
Best Musky Rod for Large Trophies
Daiwa Accudepth Trolling
- Super sensitive
- Good backbone
- Pretty affordable
- Great castability
Top 7 Musky Fishing Rods in 2023
1. St. Croix Premier Musky Casting – Best Overall Musky Rod
2. St. Croix Triumph Spinning – Best Sensitivity Musky Rod
3. Daiwa Accudepth Trolling – Best for Larger Fish Musky Rod
4. Abu Garcia Veritas – Best Lightness Musky Rod
5. Ugly Stik GX2 Casting Rod – Best Budget Musky Rod
6. KastKing Valiant Eagle – Best Lightness Musky Rod
7. St. Croix Rods Legend Tournament – Best Premium Musky Rod
Table of Contents
Musky Rods Review:
#1 Best Overall - St Croix Premier Musky Casting
WHY WE LIKE IT: Most anglers are very satisfied with this St Croix rod due to its premium quality, outstanding strength, and durability. The rod is perfect for catching musky and other large bait fish. Finally, it carries a 5-year warranty, guaranteeing the rod’s high quality.
- Length: 7 ft
- Material: Blend
- Color: Classic Black Pearl
- Handle material: Cork
- Grip type: Split
- Action: Medium-Heavy/Fast
Pros
- Outstanding strength
- Great rod sensitivity
- 5-year warranty
- Durable
Cons
- It does not cast light lures very far
- Not great if you're on a budget
- Quite a low number of guides
BUYING ADVICE: The quality of this rod is top-notch, especially at such a reasonable price. It’s high-performance and outstanding durability are the primary reasons this rod made it to the top of our list.
FEATURES: The size of this rod is perfect for musky fishing, as trying a shorter rod couldn’t provide the same results. Furthermore, its premium-grade cork handle will give you the much-needed firm grip for catching musky.
#2 Best Sensitivity - St Croix Triumph Spinning
WHY WE LIKE IT: The key selling point of St Croix rods is their durability. Of course, the durability of every fishing rod depends on how you treat it, what type of equipment you pair it with, and whether you maintain it properly. Many anglers will agree that this rod is strong and sensitive, perfect for muskie fishing.
- Length: 6 ft, 6 inches
- Color: Deep Run Blue
- Handle material: Cork
- Grip type: Split
- Action: Medium/Fast
Pros
- Perfect for ultra-light lures
- Great sensitivity
- Strong backbone
- Solid build
- Good balance
Cons
- Not very flexible
- Not great for heavy lures
- Rod can sometimes break under great stress
BUYING ADVICE: While it’s a pretty durable muskie rod, you need to be extra careful when pairing it with the correct fishing line. Sometimes the result may be breaking the rod. Although it’s a relatively lightweight fishing rod, it still has a decent amount of backbone.
FEATURES: Most anglers will agree that this rod, providing unparalleled durability and strength, is one of the best options for muskie fishing. The premium-grade cork handle definitely gives you the firm grip needed to catch a musky.
#3 Best for Larger Fish - Daiwa Accudepth Trolling
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Daiwa Accudepth Trolling rod is incredibly well-made and offers a great backbone. If you’re into freshwater fishing, this muskie rod will do wonders for you when used correctly.
- Length: 8 ft, 6 inches
- Material: Blend
- Color: Black
- Handle material: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate
- Grip type: Split
- Action: Fast
Pros
- Super sensitive
- Good backbone
- Pretty affordable
- Great castability
Cons
- Rod can sometimes break
- The length needs getting used to
- May not be very durable
BUYING ADVICE: The Daiwa Accudepth Trolling rod is a good way to go if you’re just starting out. For a reasonable price, this rod offers excellent castability, which is crucial for trolling rods. Furthermore, you can also use this rod for other fish, not just musky but also for pike. You might also be interested in – difference between musky and pike.
FEATURES: The Graphite Composite blank construction makes it the best musky rod because of a powerful and resilient materials that are important for muskie fishing. Also, since the fishing guide material is vital when choosing the right rod, you’ll be happy to know that this one comes with cut-proof aluminum oxide guides.
#4 Best Lightness - Abu Garcia Veritas
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Abu Garcia Veritas is a very lightweight fishing rod with respectable strength. Due to the rod’s ROCS guide train, you’ll be able to cast lighter lures a good distance. The rod’s sensitivity is also impressive, as you can feel what’s happening on the other side of the fishing line.
- Length: 6 ft, 6 inches
- Material: Powerlux
- Color: White
- Handle material: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate
- Grip type: Split
- Action: Medium-Heavy
Pros
- Lightweight and well-balanced
- Good for lighter lures
- The warranty is limited to 3 years
- Great sensitivity
- Strong and precise
Cons
- Not very flexible
- Questionable durability
- It can break when setting the hook
BUYING ADVICE: If you prefer lightweight rods, the Abu Garcia Veritas rod will provide you with great sensitivity and balance for the price. When purchasing this rod, you get a limited 3-year warranty, which you can avoid using by maintaining it correctly.
FEATURES: Besides being a 15% stronger and 5% lighter Powerlux rod, it also contains Titanium alloy guides, resulting in a well-balanced and lightweight rod. Furthermore, the rod comes with Closed Cell EVA grips and an Ergonomic Abu-designed reel seat which makes it one of the best musky rods from Abu Garcia.
#5 Best Budget - Ugly Stik GX2 Casting Rod
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Ugly Stik GX2 casting rod is your solution if you’re shopping on a budget. The combination of graphite and fiberglass creates a strong, sensitive, and well-balanced rod, which is great for freshwater fishing.
- Length: 5 ft, 6 inches – 7 ft
- Material: Graphite
- Color: Black
- Handle material: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate
Pros
- Good sensitivity
- Clear tip design
- Durable and lightweight EVA grips
- Pretty strong
- 7-year warranty
Cons
- Two pieces are not very secure
- The rod tip can break
- Poor hand grip
BUYING ADVICE: Although the rod exceeds most anglers’ expectations, some beginners may need to get used to the rod weight. Also, the rod alone is not always enough to catch muskies, as you must also ensure you’re using the best muskie lures.
FEATURES: A greatly sensitive and balanced rod, this product is favored for being relatively cheap. It has stainless steel guides, ensuring you can use any fishing line without a problem. The clear tip design on this model provides anglers with extra sensitivity, while the EVA grips will surely make the rod last longer.
#6 Best for Travel - KastKing Valiant Eagle
WHY WE LIKE IT: If you enjoy going on fishing trips, KastKing Valiant Eagle rods are the answer to your prayers. It’s a compact rod you can dismantle to take up minimal space in your car. The rod is very lightweight and sensitive, making it a good investment for travelers.
- Length: 5 ft, 6 inches – 8 ft, 6 inches
- Material: Stainless Steel, Graphite
- Color: Beige, Black
- Handle material: Cork
- Action: Fast
Pros
- Compact
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Sensitive
- Casts a good distance
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Small guides
- Pretty thin rod
- Not the most durable
BUYING ADVICE: While it may be the perfect rod for traveling, if you’re more of a local angler, transportation may not be the key selling point for you. However, you still get a lightweight, comfortable product with good rod action.
FEATURES: With KastKing Valiant Eagle, you get a compact rod that is super easy to set up. The sensitivity on this model is great, the rod allows you to cast lures quite far, and the cork handle gives you a good grip.
#7 Best Premium - St. Croix Rods Legend Tournament
WHY WE LIKE IT: Thanks to the exotic carbon fiber material, this rod presents you with the incredible strength necessary for luring in musky with larger bait. This rod is among the longer ones for musky fishing, making it easier for you to complete longer casts.
- Length: 7 ft, 9 inches
- Material: Blend
- Color: Tournament Blue Pearl
- Handle material: Cork
- Grip type: Split
- Action: Heavy/Mod-Fast
Pros
- Comfortable grip
- Strong and sensitive
- Lightweight
- 15-year transferable warranty
- Tangle-free guides
Cons
- Not very affordable
- More suitable for experts
- Not meant for smaller fish
BUYING ADVICE: If you’re ready to invest in a muskie rod, this is the choice. The 15-year transferrable warranty speaks for itself, as the manufacturer is sure of this product’s quality.
FEATURES: This rod will allow you smoother actions and higher sensitivity and strength. Furthermore, the tangle-free guides will save you a lot of trouble, and the same goes for the rod’s super comfortable grip.
1. St. Croix Premier Musky Casting – best musky rod overall
2. St. Croix Triumph Spinning – best musky rod for sensitivity
3. Daiwa Accudepth Trolling – best musky rod for large fish
4. Abu Garcia Veritas – best musky rod for lightness
5. Ugly Stik GX2 Casting Rod – best musky rod for the money
6. KastKing Valiant Eagle – best musky rod for lightness
7. St. Croix Rods Legend Tournament – best musky rod for advanced anglers
The Ultimate Guide for Selecting the Best Musky Rods
Type & Style of Reel
Since catching musky is a challenging task, investing in proper equipment is a must. When it comes to reels, you can get bottom, mid, and high-tier reels. Naturally, bottom-tier reels are the least expensive, which suits beginners.
Mid-tier reels are better and last longer, especially with good maintenance. Finally, while high-tier reels are the most expensive, they make catching musky much easier, appealing to more experienced anglers.
Gear Ratio
Gear can vary between 4.6:1 and 8.1:1 and above. The perfect gear ratio for musky fishing is between 5:1 and 5.7:1. Since musky is very large, the ability of the reel to retrieve slower is much more important than just hoping to do it as quickly as possible. After all, strength and precision are essential when going musky fishing.
Rod Length
Having a powerful rod is a must in the musky fishing world. As for length, the longer the fishing rod is, the more power it provides. Ultimately, it all comes down to preference, but the optimal musky rod length is between 7 to 9 feet.
Rod Power
You’ll need at least a medium-heavy power rod to catch a big musky. Then again, if you wish to bag monster muskies, you have to invest in a heavy power rod.
Rod Action
Use a moderate action rod if you’re going musky fishing with heavier lures. If you like fishing with lighter musky lures, fast-action muskie rods are for you.
Line Weight
Having the best musky rod is not always enough. When going musky fishing, carefully choose the right line weight and, when it comes to line weight, decide between mono or braid. While chances are you’ll always pick a braided line because of its quality and strength, it’s a bit more pricey due to its required resistance for catching big musky.
Lure Weight
While people believe that only big lures catch musky, many anglers disagree. Catching musky with small, medium, and big lures is normal for them. On the other hand, the perfect lure weight for musky fishing should be between 1 ounce to 6 ounces.
Durability
Fishing for musky, a relatively large fish, requires good and strong rods. No matter your fishing level or skill, you must get a powerful rod if you want to bag this type of fish. Getting a medium-heavy power rod, at least, is sure to do the job. Select well-built equipment made of quality materials to ensure its durability.
Warranty
All fishing rods have at least a one-year warranty. This number can go up to 5 or 15 years for some rods, while others are guaranteed to last us a lifetime. The number of warranty years depends on the manufacturer’s assurance of the product’s quality.
Material
When choosing the best musky rod, you need to consider the rod length, power, weight, and in most cases, rod material. Since muskie fishing rods should be strong and powerful, the rod’s material needs to be comfortable for the angler.
When talking about comfort, having an EVA or cork handle goes a long way. As for musky rods, you can choose between premium SCII Carbon construction, Powerlux, Graphite, and Fiberglass rods.
Construction
All fishing rods include components such as a handle, reel seats, rod blank, guides, and ferrules. This determines the quality of your fishing rod. When it comes to musky fishing, you’re looking for a more sensitive rod. So, the more vibrations these components send from the bait to your hand, the more musky you’ll catch.
1. St. Croix Premier Musky Casting – musky rod – our choice
2. St. Croix Triumph Spinning – musky rod for those who like sensitivity
3. Daiwa Accudepth Trolling – musky rod for large trophies
4. Abu Garcia Veritas – light musky rod
5. Ugly Stik GX2 Casting Rod – budget musky rod
6. KastKing Valiant Eagle – ultralight musky rod
7. St. Croix Rods Legend Tournament – high-end musky rod
Musky Rod Frequently Asked Questions
What weight rod for musky fishing?
While other fish require lighter rods of 9wt as the most common, the preferred weight for a musky rod is between 10wt, 11wt, or even 12wt. Musky fishing requires massive rods but be prepared that it won’t be easy.
How long should a musky rod be?
The rod length for musky fishing should be 7 to 9ft since anglers use shorter rods for smaller fish. In essence, longer rods are more powerful and a shorter rod will not be sturdy.
Can I use a bass rod for musky?
Musky rods should be strong, so even though using a bass rod might work, it probably won’t work best with heavy lures. This is because musky rods are used for heavy lures which the bass rod or reels won’t hold. Sometimes it’s not about the rod, but about playing the fish smartly.