AKnook said:
I disagree completely. My buddies and I use these reels exclusively and catch 50lb ocean run king salmon. Handles great. I think a wild king salmon will be a little tougher on a reel than a musky.
Perhaps the 80 to 100lb braid is overkill? 20 or 25lb mono or fluro brings in massive fish. Even caught halibut with these reels on 25lb test.
You obviously use them more than I do though as I mainly fly fish. Just weird that they are busting like that. I love mine. Bummer the newer ones are lower quality
They aren't breaking from the fight of the fish most of the time, if it does the reel was already damaged and the angler simply didn't know it.
Musky for their size don't fight that great, especially compared to a salmon.
Like I said in my previous statement "
Even though they are larger reels they are not really designed for the wear and tear musky fishing puts on them when using heavier lures"
It is the wear and tear of casting and pulling the baits that weigh up to a pound that destroys them. It's not like salmon fishing pulling a flutter spoon with no resistance. Imagine pulling a 25 foot 6000lb boat with a car.....it might work for a bit but it will blow up.
As for line, you almost never use mono except for a few trolling guys mostly on st.clair and they will use 30 or 40lb with a 130lb leader.
Using mono is really stupid to cast for muskies, you'll end up killing a musky because it will eventually snap the line.
I don't know a single professional musky fisherman who uses mono to cast, everyone uses 80,100 and 150lb test for a reason, baits cost anywhere from $10-$100+ a piece and the stronger lines make sure the fight is fast and keep the musky from building up lactic acid which can be fatal.