Early season I would be throwing a 6'' softtail phantom glider, definitely have a couple M&G or Rad Dog spinnerbaits, a nickel/black dbl 8 bucktail, a black/black dbl 8 bucktail, couple different topwaters. Probably a Suick Nitewalker, a pacemaker, and a WTD bait or two.. Baby weagle, or a Doc, or a Lee Lures Fishstick..something like that.. good to go.
In the musky world the trend is long rods.. Getting longer every year. Most serious musky fishermen are going to 9' and 9'6 rods... swear by them. Takes a lot of work out of throwing big baits, easy figure 8'ing, and better handle on fish at boat side.
I like my 8'6 St Croix LT Slingblade paired up with a Revo Toro NACL 60 5.4 reel.. spooled up with 65lb Suffix 832.