Entry level Trolling Rod recommendations

[WalleyeChaser]

What are my options for a decent trolling rod for around a $100? Combo or seperate rod and reel that i can put together. Started doing some 3-way w/cranks last year and use 2-3 oz. weights if that helps with info. Want to get into it a little more seriously!! Have a 5'6" medium with a bait caster. That works ok. Also what line should i run on them?

[thedeadsea]

For laker's we run up to 4 oz in-line weights on 6' or 6'6" medium or medium heavy casting rods so that would work for your application as well. The rod is still light enough to make fishing fun. If you want to get a little more rod that can also double as a downrigger rod (should you decide to try DR fishing for 'eyes in the future), a 7' or 7'6" rod isn't too long or bulky but can handle some serious fish. Daiwa Wilderness rods start out at $25.

The smallest Okuma (15 series) trolling reel would make a nice combo. Available both with and without a linecounter. About $30. Or if you want a true casting reel there are many in the $50 range, but you will give up some line capacity compared to the trolling reel.

Hope that helps.

Steve

[fishwater]

river - for 3 way cranking up to 3 oz I would look for a medium power moderate action rod. Anything over 3 oz, go to a medium heavy moderate action rod.

Personally I'd look at getting a better reel and put it onto an ugly stick or something similar to stay within your budget. With 3 way trolling, the boat pretty much hooks the fish, so you don't need too much sensitivity, you just want a more moderate action so the hook gets set and not ripped out of their mouth.

If you want a rod that will work well for BB and longline trolling, look at getting a graphite rod; hard to stay on budget though. I personally use rapala crankbait rods, M and MH modfast action for most of my trolling unless I want to use a rod over 7'. They are light and show the baits action well. I use 20lb/6lb diameter braid, if I was strictly BB I would use 30lb braid.

[Mike Walerak]

Do yourself a favor and go with a Diawa Sealine reel right away. I have usied every other line counter out there and the Sealines are the only ones that held up.

As for a rod just about anything will do for starters. Manytimes Cabela's has Sealine combos that are technique specific.

mw

[matthothand]

I second the sealines but if you're set on your budget I'd stick with an accudepth lc as long as you aren't battling 20 lb kings. Diawa and shimano make good low cost trolling rods. I'd look for something much longer than your 5'6". 7 1/2-9' is a general place to start. When you start dealing with long leaders or inline weights and the like that extra rod length plays a role boatside. It depends if you plan on fishing a bunch of lines too. Different lengths are practical in different spreads.

[thedeadsea]

Agree on the longer rods, but if you are fishing in a smaller boat (less than 18') I wouldn't advise getting a rod longer than 8' because it becomes work to net a fish because the rod is so long.

[walleyemaniac]

I've got 2 Diawa Sealine SG27LCA's on Mr. Walleye 8' telescoping rods medium actoin and I love the setup. A little bit over your $100 I think each setup ran me around $150.

The best investment I've made was the Precision Trolling book I bought, I think around $20-25 a couple years ago. Gets those lures right where they need to be, no more guessing.

[rattleL]

agree with walleye maniac on the precision trolling book its a huge help, after running the baits and such you start to get the depths traced in your brain.