Budget Trolling Rod

[Dawkins]

Open water is almost here!

Purchased a couple line-counting reels to go with my Precision Trolling book I began using last year. Looking to match up a couple rods to go with them, trying to go very inexpensive with them and looking for recommendations.

Used for trolling for pike and walleye here in MN, would a medium power be sufficient or should I go med-heavy?

[PerchJerker]

Used for trolling for pike and walleye here in MN, would a medium power be sufficient or should I go med-heavy?

I think that really depends on if you're pulling planer boards or not, and also how big and deep-diving and hard-puling your baits are.

In the early spring and late fall when I run stick baits ---- really easy-pulling baits --- I use a ML rod --- catches walleyes, pike and the occasional musky.

For most of the cranks I troll (without boards), I use Medium rods with moderate actions.

My planer board rods are Med Heavy, typical planer board rods with really slow bends in them. I also use those rods for lead core. But I do not use them unless I'm pulling boards or lead.

Hope that helps.