Rod length for trolling

[Cosmic Lazy Susan]

I've got a 7' 10-25lb IM6 rod I've been using for pulling plugs. It seems that lots of folks prefer to use a longer rod like an 8'6" for pulling plugs.

Was wondering what the advantage/difference is or does it matter.

Thanks,
Dale

[Quasimodo the fish killer]

I use 7ft6 rods myself . I think its just easier to get a 8ft6 rod because every store seems to carry them. I use old fiberglass rods that were 8ft to start with but really whimpy and I cropped them down untill they were just right. I have a buddy that guides that uses old S glass rods that are around 5ft5.

I think your ok I like the shorter rods because for one you dont look like a hillbilly with big old buggy whip cb antennas poking out of your boat, and two they are easier to get around in tight places with but thats just my opinion others will have different ones. I say if the rod has good action for the plugs your running and enough back bone to land a fish in a resonable time then stick with what you have.

no offense to any of you guys out there with the long plug rods stickin straight up like bug antenna's :grin:


Quasi


.

[Spinner]

Hey Dale, hope everything is going well for you in Hood River.

When I fish 3 people out of my boat I like to use longer rods in order to "spread out". I use a 10'6" & 9'6" out the sides and a 7'0" off the stearn.

I think that more than rod length you want a rod with "rebound" in order to help set the hooks when the rod is in the holder. A softer rod seems to allow the plug to work properly.

Take Care, Jim

[Cosmic Lazy Susan]

Jim,

Sent you an e-mail. How'd the steelhead trip go?

Dale

[ZaQ]

TCM likes to use the 11'6" _____ sticks. They allow the bait to fall nice and have some serious hooking setting power.

[Lure Dragger]

I also use a 10'6" rod for trolling. Especially when fishing 3 rods out of the boat. I feel like I have a lot better control and get a better hook set with the longer rods. I will sometimes use a 8'6" rod when fishing by myself because it is easier to net a big fish by yourself with a shorter rod. But I won't use anything less than a 8'6" rod. I also prefer a lighter action over a heavier action rod. I definately think it gives your plug a lot better action.

[HOGTIDE]

I think your shorter rod is just the ticket in a boat. Very convenient, easy to stow, easy to rig and better control when the fish is up to the gunnels ready to be sacked or released. If your pals spread their tips port and starboard with a 7' rod you'll have about 10 feet of seperation...add a boat with an 8' beam, and now your baits are 18 feet apart....that should do it!

Long rods round 9.5' are great for drift fishing or mooching, but for most boat applications, the shorter rod gets my vote :smile:

[Silver Hilton]

Another vote for shorter rods in the boat. I fish 7.5 ft to 8 ft rods for boat fishing.

The biggest benefit to shorter rods is when you've got beginners fighting fish. Everyone wants to see their fish. With a long rod, if your fisherman is standing at the gunnell, that fish is at least 8 feet away, and you have to tell your man to back into middle of the boat so that you can reach the fish with the net, at which point, he can't see what is going on. With a shorter rod, he can stand a little closer to the action, and you can still reach the fish with the net.

I have heard that some of the guides prefer long rods because they buffer the actions of the fish, helping inexperienced anglers fight the fish more successfully. I could see how that works, but all my buddies come out often enough that I can train them.

[luguando]

I recently purchased a 11' rod for trolling. I wanted a rod that will allow the fish to eat the bait without transmitting the resistance that my shorter rods tended to do but still have the backbone for the hook set and control during the fight. It took a little getting use to netting a fish when fishing solo but I really am glad I bought the rod.

[Lure Dragger]

Luguando,

I agree %100 with you for several reasons. First of all it gives your lure a lot better action. When the fish are hitting light they tend to hook better. Gets your lures farther away from the boat so when trolling 3 out of a boat you are covering a wider swath. Easier to fight a big fish and have more control. Easier to detect if your plug picks up a weed while trolling. There is certainly no problem netting a big fish by your self if you are experienced. And last but most important in the last three weeks while trolling for steelhead I have out fished most all the other boats 2 or 3 to 1. Seven fish between 16 to 19 pounds. Someone mentioned that only hillbillys use long rods. I will be keeping my 10'6" rod out all the time and I will continue to catch a lot of fish.

[greenbuttskunk]

I troll alot and have a few rods I built that are 8'-6" and around 9'-6" I'd say around 9'-6" or so isnice, gives the bait or lure good action, and especially for downrigger fishing, a longer rod will hold in the release better because the longer taper give more flex and it makes a big difference in rough water.

[ 01-20-2004, 04:04 PM: Message edited by: greenbuttskunk ]

[TH]

I spend countless days in the ocean/bays and rivers trolling anchovies, herring and spinners.. I love it! It is my favorite method of fishing period.. This doesn't make me an expert but I have found a rod that I prefer to fish.

I want a rod to do the following,

1) I like a nice quick tip which allows me to watch what the bait is doing.

2) I like a rod with enough "guts" or butt power to move bigger fish around the boat.

3) I like a rod that will give me a good spread throughout my boat, and one I can fish in any rod holder location.

4) I like a rod that is stout enough to give me a good hook set right out of the rod holder...

5) I like a rod that handles 6' leaders, and one that allows me (erson fighting the fish) to stand right next to the gunnel and land a fish...

An 8' HS or MB taper rod do all of these things for me.
Nice light tip, yet a magnum taper with a stout butt to give me the needed power, but doesn't feel like a brromstick.

[rola76]

I agree with TH. You can go anywhere from 7' to 11', but you can also go in between and manage fish just fine.

If all else fails, buy one of each!!

[Cosmic Lazy Susan]

TH,

When you refer to an HS or MB taper rod what do HS and MB mean?

Thanks for the input, now I can tell my wife that the gurus on iFish recommend I buy more rods. :grin:

Actually I think I need more as I only have one. :shocked:

Thanks,
Dale

[TH]

Hey C L S
The MB taoer is actually a Mag Bass Taper..They're fast-action rods with a powerful, magnum butt section, strong inital hook sets.

The HS is a Hot Shot taper and have light to medium tips and magnum-power butt sections.

Very silimar tapers, both perfect, in my opinion, for trolling spinners, anchovies, and herring!
As well as keeper sturgeon!