By Joseph Alfe

The Chaos Tackle Assault Sticks are high performing, elite level rod options that break the mold of traditional Muskie rods by offering light weight, fast tips, and extreme power in a stylish looking package. All rods are offered in lengths from 7’8” to 9’ with full cork or split-grip handles.

Retail Price as Tested: $180

Category:  Mid Price ($150-$200)

Specifications: 

• Length:                 8’6””
• Model:                  S.W.A.T.
• Action:                 Fast
• Power:                 Extra Extra Heavy
• Lure Weight:     10 Oz
• Line Weight:      80#+
• Guides:                 Custom

Applications:

• Medium-Large Rubber
• Large Bucktails & Double 10’s
• Large Cranks & Twitch Baits

Reel Seat:

Fuji Carbon

Special Features:

Split-Grip with ergonomic butt, high-grade cork, Assault Sticks exclusive blank taper.

Observations:

While I had seen prototypes last summer, I was excited to hear that the first shipment of Assault Sticks had arrived, albeit too late for the Chicago Muskie show.  Upon first look, I was pleased with the sleek, deadly look of these rods.  Rick Albers, owner of Chaos Tackle, has designed the rods look with flat black blanks and minimal black wrappings with metallic green details that matched nicely with the shimmering green Shimano Curado 300 EJ I mounted to it.  The split grip handle rounded out the package, and I was blown away with the lightness of the rod when I picked it up. I had a trip booked to Tennessee to fish with guide Cory Allen on Melton Hill Lake, and he was just as excited as I was to test the new rod.  It did not disappoint.

Performance:

Rick explained that unlike most Muskie (or even Bass) manufacturers, he did not simply go to one of the few factories that make graphite blanks, pick one, and add off-the-shelf components and slap his name on it.  That’s not how Rick does it at Chaos.  He painstakingly designed and engineered the blanks taper to provide extreme strength and stiffness for handling big baits and setting big hooks, while maintaining a fast tip designed to aid in accurate casting and control. As Rick explains, too many Muskie rods on the market, especially those designed for big rubber, have “broom handle” stiffness with a parabolic action.  In other words, they seem stiff, but actually bend far down the blank, necessitating awkward side arm “lob” casts with magnum sized baits.  The even bend assures that much of the hook set energy is absorbed by the rod, resulting in missed fish.  The Assault Sticks S.W.A.T is the antithesis of this, providing fast, crisp action coupled with enough power to set the hook through a pound of rubber into a big Muskie’s jaws.

Sensitivity:

This is not usually a consideration with Muskie fishing, but it should be.  Using the Assault Stick while fishing a tailrace situation on the Clinch River, guide Cory Allen slipped current as we bottom bounced our Medussa’s in 20 feet of water in boiling current seams.  The S.W.A.T transmitted crisply every pebble and rock my bait touched.  I could feel the difference when my bait touched sand or gravel or shells.  I could feel the bait move laterally in the current on the upswing as if I was fishing a high end Bass rod.  It was pretty eye opening.  Remember, Muskies don’t always plow baits, especially rubber, and a slight “tick” or line movement may be all that you feel.  I wonder how many Muskies I missed over the years because I never felt the pick up?

Casting & Handling:

For a big, powerful rod, the S.W.A.T. is nimble and light, and after four days of hard fishing, I was not only impressed with its hand feel, but my arms and shoulders were as well. Casts were long and accurate with little effort, thanks to the fast tip.  I paired this rod with a Shimano Curado 300 EJ, spooled with 80# Sunline FX2 braid, and I threw everything from Esox Assault double 10’s to Monster Medussa’s, to ripping 10” Jakes and Triple D’s.  This rod not only handled them, it owned them.  I also got to test the rods hooking abilities, as a nice, fat Clinch River Muskie pounded my Medussa in 20 feet of water and current.  The Assault Sticks fast tip allowed me to “load up” on the initial strike.  See, the way the rod is tapered; the tip flexes about 4 or 5 eyes down the blank until it hits what I call “the brick wall.”  This is where the rods uber powerful backbone comes into play.  My strike was instantaneous; the tip loaded for just a micro second, then the S.W.A.T. unleashed its power and solidly hooked, played, and landed the fish.  I was impressed, my partners for the day, Cory Allen and Ian Swenson, both guides (look for them in this month’s In-Fisherman), were impressed, and I know you will be too.

Conclusion:

The Chaos Tackle Assault Sticks are high performing, elite level rod options that break the mold of traditional Muskie rods by offering light weight, fast tips, and extreme power in a stylish looking package.  The fact that Chaos Tackle has priced them so well makes adding them to your arsenal that much easier.  The Assault Sticks line up includes the “Mother of all rods” powerful Shock and Awe model rated to 24 Oz. and designed for the biggest rubber baits such as the Monster Medusa. The S.W.A.T., a powerful rod rated to 10 Oz, perfect for heavy, all-purpose use. The Tactical Strike, rated to 6 Oz. and ideal for smaller bucktails, twitch baits, etc., and the Surgical Strike, A light weight model rated to 4 Oz. and designed for rattlebaits, smaller twitch baits and spinners, and other small offerings.  All rods are offered in lengths from 7’8” to 9’ with full cork or split-grip handles.

Scores:                               0-10

Looks:                                  8.5
Balance:                              9.0
Feel:                                      9.0
Weight:                                9.5
Power:                                 10
Sensitivity:                         10

Deductions:                    -.25 Very minor cosmetic blemishes
Total Score:                     9.3

About Joseph Alfe

Joseph Alfe, a resident of Northern Illinois, has spent his whole life in pursuit of angling and outdoors knowledge. As a Pro Staffer and brand rep for various industry and outdoors companies, he promotes and shares products that he believes in and that can make you a better fisherman and outdoorsman.  For him, it’s all about education. Knowledge is great but you have to be able to get it across in a way that people can understand and be entertained by. Joe’s true passion is bringing relevant and fresh fishing industry news and techniques to his readers through his promotional website, anglerZconnection.com.