Downrigger-Trolling Rod Recommendation

[Private-Aye-Fish]

I have a 14' Gregor that my wife and I fish off of. I have recently installed two Scotty 1050 Depthmaster manual downriggers on it.

I have two beautiful matching Penn Peer 209 Reels that I want to mate to new Rods. The main use will be trolling with the downriggers, Walleye, Kokanee to Mackinaw fishing etc. [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

I'm looking for a versatile and inexpensive rod to mate to the Penn reels, and would love any recommendations and reasoning behind recommendations from those more seasoned in this type of fishing.

Thanks,

Phil

[ 02-23-2004, 02:28 PM: Message edited by: kokanee-killer ]

[K sled]

I have 2 Browning Gold Medallion graphite poles steelhead and downrigger special model M32980C 8', line weight 8-12#, lure wt 3/8-3/4 oz. It has 8 guides. A few years ago, I paid about $50 a piece for the poles. I have a Daiwa Procaster model PMA35S1-A. They work great for downriggers and casting, although your 209's might be a little big for these poles.

[K sled]

I forgot to add they work great for kokanee and mackanaw

[rola76]

Shimano has quality rods for great prices...check that line out as well as Cabela's rods.

[Green Machine]

Shimano Convergence.

Longer is better for downriggers, I use the 10' 6" ers. I think they are about $70.00 a piece.

Green Machine

[ 02-23-2004, 05:39 PM: Message edited by: Green Machine ]

[Double Header]

I have to agree with Green Machine. I gave my wife a Convergence 10'6" rod last Crhistmas and she used it all last year and caught more Salmon than I did. I've got to put a stopper on that! I believe the Convergence comes with a lifetime warranty. I've heard, if it breaks, bring it in and Shimano replaces it at no charge. I like the look of the bend in a long rod, plus, the extra length allows you to use a longer leader and still bring the fish to the net. I also avoid limber rods. My Convergence is recommended for line up to 25 lbs test and a lure weight of 6-10 oz. I've got a G. Loomis at the same length, but you're talking a lot more cash on the barrelhead. I shattered the Loomis in the butt section pulling against a wave and Loomis said that just doesn't happen unless I abused it. The rod had 30 lb mono on it and the rod is supposed to be good for 40 lb test. :whazzup: The wrong harmonic between the wave and my pulling on the flasher may have caused the graphite to shatter. It cost me $65 and they replaced the rod.

A few years back I went fishing in Westport and saw they had old St. Croix fiberglass rods. The Captain said they stand up against the salt year after year far better than any other rod. They used them for many years which you could tell since they all had wooden handles, not cork. He has to add new guides, but the rod blanks withstood the test of time. St. Croix doesn't make them any more. :depressed:

[Silver Hilton]

I use 8 ft Shimanos for downrigger rods. For 35 bucks, they can't be beat.

[FallRiverGuy]

I would look for some old glass rods. I have an old Fenwick that would make a great downrigger rod for Macks.

[ 02-23-2004, 01:25 PM: Message edited by: FallRiverGuy ]

[Private-Aye-Fish]

Good ideas. Which 8' Shimano