America’s Toughest Musky Hunters Go to War DAIWA returns as sponsor of the 40th annual National Championship Musky Open, August 20-23, 2026, showcasing its full lineup of musky, bass and walleye gear

America’s Toughest Musky Hunters Go to War

DAIWA returns as sponsor of the 40th annual National Championship Musky Open, August 20-23, 2026, showcasing its full lineup of musky, bass and walleye gear

FOOTHILL RANCH, CA (August 14, 2026) – Muskies don’t care about your plans. They’ll follow a bait boatside three times, sulk under the hull, and vanish. Then they’ll crush it on the fourth cast just to remind you who’s in charge. It’s the most humbling gamefish in freshwater, and every August, an elite force of anglers willing to be humbled descends on Eagle River, Wisconsin, to test their luck against it.

DAIWA has been in that army’s corner for six years running. The brand is back again as a sponsor of the 40th annual National Championship Musky Open, August 20-23, 2026. It’s standing behind the anglers and the Musky Clubs Alliance of Wisconsin, whose conservation work keeps this fishery brutal in all the right ways for another 40 years.

The event is hosted by the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center and the Musky Clubs Alliance of Wisconsin, with tournament headquarters at the Vilas County Fairgrounds. A portion of the proceeds funds fish stocking and habitat improvement.

“It’s a privilege to support the National Championship Musky Open and the Musky Clubs Alliance of Wisconsin. We owe a lot to the thousands of anglers in Wisconsin and the surrounding states who’ve been with us over six years of involvement with this event,” said Chris Martin, DAIWA’s Field Marketing Manager.

“You’ve helped make DAIWA a major player in the musky market and pushed us to design reels, rods, braid, and lures built specifically for tackling freshwater fishing’s apex predator. Musky fishing is part of Wisconsin’s fishing heritage, and the Alliance’s commitment to stocking and habitat work helps make sure that heritage keeps going.”

Built for the Musky Battle

DAIWA will showcase its musky lineup throughout the event, each evening and Sunday afternoon, including PROREX musky rods, PROREX and LEXA casting reels, J-BRAID, and the newly introduced XBRAID FULLDRAG X9.

PROREX Musky Rods

Musky fishing means throwing baits most anglers would call oversized, all day, on the off chance a fish decides to commit. PROREX rods are built for that grind. They deliver the long-distance casting power to get big baits in front of fish, and the backbone to turn a violent strike into a landed musky instead of a broken leader.

LEXA HD 500

PROREX & LEXA Casting Reels

A musky doesn’t just bite. It attacks, and the gear on the other end of the line has to survive that. PROREX and LEXA are built for the punishment a heavy, violent fish can dish out. The PROREX TW carries DAIWA’s T-Wing System line guide, a heavy-duty aluminum frame and side plate, UTD drag, an adjustable-length power handle and a heavy-duty clutch. The LEXA HD pairs an aluminum frame and side plate with stainless steel gearing, UTD drag and an extended power handle.

J-BRAID GRAND x8

J-BRAID

Trusted by musky anglers for years, J-BRAID remains the workhorse line for anglers who need strength and consistency, cast after cast, fish after fish.

XBRAID FULLDRAG X9

DAIWA’s newest braid brings something extra to the musky game. Built with 8 carriers and a strong inner core, XBRAID FULLDRAG X9 holds its round profile, cuts friction, and casts farther. It’s another high-performance option for anglers who can’t afford a break-off when it matters most.

More Than Musky in the Midwest

“The 1,000-plus anglers who descend on Eagle River for this event aren’t just musky hunters. A lot of them chase walleyes and smallmouth bass, too,” said Brad Olson, who manages DAIWA’s sales efforts throughout Wisconsin. “So, we’ll also be showcasing our technology-leading TATULA bass rods and reels, TD Eye walleye rods, PROREX spinning reels, and the brand-new LEXA-LC line counters for anglers running boards and divers.”

DAIWA’s involvement goes beyond the water. The brand is again providing tackle for the event’s nightly fundraising raffles, giving attendees a shot at winning gear while supporting the tournament’s conservation mission. DAIWA tackle is also being donated as prizes for the Vilas County Food Bank drive, and for the tournament’s “First-Time Angler” drawing, a nod to anglers experiencing musky fishing for the first time.

The National Championship Musky Open runs August 20-23, with headquarters at the Vilas County Fairgrounds in Eagle River. For registration details, visit the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Musky Open page.

For DAIWA’s latest color catalog and/or information on DAIWA dealers in your area, call DAIWA’s Customer Service Department at 562-375-6800 or e-mail inquiries to: CSR@DAIWA.com. The URL for DAIWA’s web site is daiwa.us

About Daiwa Corporation

Daiwa’s first spinning reel rolled off the assembly line in 1955. Since then, the company has grown into one of the largest and most influential tackle companies in the world today. To handle sales and distribution in the United States, Daiwa Corporation first opened its doors on September 26, 1966, operating from a small facility in Culver City, California. Today, based in Foothill Ranch, California, Daiwa Corporation sells tackle throughout the United States, Canada, Central and South America. From the very beginning, Daiwa’s emphasis has been upon innovation and quality. The result is a long list of product features, design and materials that have become standards for the fishing tackle industry. Daiwa’s long-standing record of innovation has left a visible mark on the majority of tackle manufactured today and continues to advance the sport of fishing. Learn more at daiwa.us