Topic: The Best Musky Reels of 2023 (Read 38 times)
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Honestly, it was a toss-up between the Daiwa Lexa HD and the Shimano Tranx for best overall. Many anglers and guides are split on which they prefer, with the slight edge going to the Shimano. With a proven design and high-end capability, the Daiwa Lexa HD is no slouch.
Being built for both fresh and saltwater use, the Lexa HD can withstand a lot of abuse and keep on cranking. The light aluminum frame and side plate are co*plemented by stainless steel gearing, which helps maintain strength and enhance durability. It co*es stock with a counterbalanced power handle and EVA foam grip, which both enhance co*fort and help with cranking ability.
Most impressive, the 400 size alone co*es in five different models and gear ratios, allowing the Lexa HD to be tailored to any task the angler needs.
Guide Austin Conrad of Virginia Trophy Guides prefers the 400 size Lexa HD in the 7.1:1 and 8.1:1 ratios. “I’ll throw anything from jerks to glides to heavy rubber on them,” he says. Conrad is also a fan of the Lexa HD’s durability. “The hardware is more bombproof than other models because its designed for use in salt,” he says. Conrad has a full lineup of Lexa HD reels that have held up great through the years.
Regardless of where and how you’ll be musky fishing, the Daiwa Lexa HD likely co*es in a model that will be an exceptional option.
While musky fishing is typically a game of “bigger is better,” that’s not always the case. Sometimes the fish are keyed in on smaller presentations or exceptionally spooky. The Shimano Curado DC 200 is the perfect reel for this scenario, built specifically for heavy duty use while maintaining its lightweight, functional design.
The spool of the Curado DC holds 120 yards of 50-pound braid, which is impressive for a 200-size reel. Additionally, the Digital Control allows anglers to throw a larger variety of presentations and sizes with less fear of backlash. Guide Sam Scott of Blue Ridge Musky uses the Curado DC specifically for smaller lures with his clients. Smaller, lighter lures are notorious for causing backlash, and the Digital Control helps eliminate that worry for clients who may not be as familiar with baitcasters.
While it certainly isn’t as durable as other reels on this list, the Curado DC 200 is more than capable of handling the rigors of fishing for and fighting musky. Its lightweight size and versatility should be appealing to any musky angler looking to expand their arsenal with something different.
Read Next: Shimano Curado DC Review
The Daiwa Lexa WN is an incredibly co*fortable and reasonably priced reel with the versatility to handle many different fishing styles. It’s a great choice for the average angler who has musky on the mind but may not spend 365 days a year on the water. Sporting custom Winn Grip handles, you’d be hard pressed to find a musky reel that’s more co*fortable to crank for hours during a long day on the water. When you’re talking about musky fishing, an endeavor notorious for its hours of grueling casting with large lures, having that extra bit of co*fort can be a day saver.
Additionally, the Lexa WN has the option for both a traditional symmetrical baitcasting handle as well as a counterbalanced power handle for extra torque when working large lures or fighting big fish. In fact, the handle options are just one example of another feature that makes this reel series stand out: an impressive variety of size and style options. Sporting ten different models that run the gamut of gear ratios, retrieve styles, and sizes, the Lexa WN is a versatile and affordable option.
While this reel is certainly intended for targeting big fish and throwing big lures, I did notice after several hard days on the water that it was beginning to show a little more wear and tear than some of the more expensive reels in the category. While no day-ending fatal flaws emerged, the amount of plastic and lighter material in the frame may not lend this reel to as much abuse as some others.
The Lew’s SuperDuty 300 is a functional reel in an affordable package. It offers many of the same great features as higher-end models and would serve as a solid option for most casual musky anglers. It’s ideal for throwing smaller to mid-size musky lures but may not be suited for throwing larger lures on a consistent basis.
Any reel that falls squarely into the musky category is usually going to be on the more expensive side. That said, the Lew’s SuperDuty 300 is about as close as you can get to a reasonably priced option that still has all the function and backbone required to tackle those long, arduous days of musky fishing. Like the Lexa, the SuperDuty 300 has a solid variety of styles and options to choose from (though not as many). These include the counterbalanced Power Knob handle for better cranking power and torque, which is a real benefit when throwing big lures for big fish. Also, like the Lexa, the SuperDuty series includes custom Winn grips on the handles, which drastically improve co*fort during use. Perhaps most impressively, the reel tops out at under 10 ounces, making it much lighter than any baitcaster on the best musky reel list.
There’s no denying that weight matters when it co*es to casting heavy gear all day long, and even a few ounces trimmed off can help alleviate some of the soreness inherent to the pursuit. Unfortunately, it’s hard not to notice that some of that weight may be due to a lack of structure-enhancing co*ponents. While the reel I tested has held up and done its job for a year of consistent use, some issues with the gearing and frame have led to slippage and warping. Particularly when using heavier lures or fighting bigger fish, the cranking ability seems to waver as the reel is under stress. This causes the reel to lose a lot of its smoothness and can lead to a jerkier fight that is less than ideal for musky.
Look, let’s get it out of the way right now; spinning reels generally don’t belong in the musky fishing category. This has always bothered me as a saltwater angler who targets fish considerably larger and stronger than musky with spinning gear. However, the reason for the lack of musky-oriented spinning gear is simple: it’s the size of the lures, not the size of the fish. When most people think of musky, they generally think of lures that are 1 to 2 ounces at the lightest and up to 12 ounces at the heaviest.
The co*plexity of a spinning reel and the physics of how it works are generally not designed to handle casting lures of this size. The bail and inner mechanics of spinning gear are designed for finesse, putting all the dirty work and heavy lifting on the rod. On the other hand, a baitcaster is essentially a glorified winch with mechanics that allow for a significantly higher workload. That said, modern spinning reels have co*e a long way, and many of the issues seen as inherent deal breakers for musky fishing have been alleviated or outright eliminated. Additionally, there are many anglers who are more co*fortable fishing spinning gear or want something that’s more well rounded than the typical heavy-duty musky baitcaster. For those reasons, I think it’s important to include a spinning option on this list.
All that being said, the Shimano Stradic FL, specifically in the 5000 size, is a great option for those looking to add a spinning reel to the arsenal. I’ve used the Stadic FL for tackling both fresh and saltwater giants and found it to be durable, well-sealed, and smooth. I’ve fought tarpon on mine so it’s more than capable of handling a musky on the line. With an impressive drag max of 24 pounds and 40 inches per retrieve, this reel is a formidable machine when paired with the right rod. While no spinning reel will be ideal for working the ultra-heavy swimbaits and plugs often used for musky, they can be a great choice for many of the lighter finesse musky lures, such as glide baits and smaller jerkbaits.
Read the full Stradic Fl review.
While spinning gear may be out of place in the musky world, fly fishing gear certainly is not. In recent years it’s beco*e so popular that many musky guides always have at least one fly setup rigged and ready on the boat. The Redington Behemoth is the perfect fly reel for those looking to target musky. As the name suggests, it’s a reel designed for tackling large fish in fresh or saltwater. The 7/8 or 9/10 sizes are what most anglers prefer for musky, and the large arbor allows you to use a size heavier rod and line than the reel size. So, the 7/8 will work well on 9 weight and the 9/10 will work on an 11 or 12 weight.
The large arbor design allows for fast line retrieve, and the impressive carbon drag system boasts a 30 pound max, giving you serious stopping power with a fish on the line. The price is also remarkably affordable co*pared to many other reels in the category. Lastly, the unique V-shaped spool design holds an incredible amount of backing, making for an impressive line capacity.
Musky fishing can be highly specialized, so having a reel dedicated specifically to the task can be a smart move for anglers willing to expand their arsenal. The Daiwa Prorex TWS was designed with this dedication in mind, as it’s the only reel on this list designed and sold solely to target musky. Even more to the point, this reel is built to be the ideal tool for casting large lures all day long with minimal hassle and maximum effectiveness.
The Prorex has several features that make it well suited for targeting these giant, toothy fish. First, it’s exceptionally light for its size, co*ing in at only 12.2 ounces despite being a 400-class reel. Being built of an aluminum frame with an aluminum side plate helps keep the weight down while keeping the strength intact. This is a beneficial trait, especially when you consider the size and weight of many musky lures. Anything to help ease the strain on an angler’s arms and shoulders after a day of casting is a win.
This reel also co*es equipped with an adjustable length power handle out of the box. The adjustability is what separates the Prorex from other reels with power handles, as the length adjustability is both simple and incredibly helpful for adapting to different lures and anglers on the fly.
While it may be the simplest feature, Daiwa’s T-Wing line guide system is perhaps the most beneficial. The line guide has a unique “T” shape (hence the name) that allows for heavy line to be cast more cleanly and helps prevent friction and backlash.
It may be a drawback to some anglers who value versatility, but the single-purpose design of the Daiwa Prorex TWS makes it an exceptional tool for the dedicated musky angler.