Trolling Setup Suggestions?

[mdog898]

I am looking to start pulling crawler harnesses and cranks out on lake Pepin this spring. I am in search of rod and reel combos that would work well for me. I am thinking around $130 or less per setup. Most of the combos I have looked at on the Cabelas site seem to be for Salmon and steelhead, maybe I am wrong? I appreciate everyone who posts here, some pretty smart folks on this site. Thanks!

[Brad F]

I can't really reply to your question about pulling harnesses, but for cranks, I use 8'6" trolling rod from Cabelas with their linecounter. Not sure what the combo name is, but it runs around $60. I've only used this combo a few times this year, but so far, pulled in some really nice Browns and Salmon with them. Don't forget your trolling Bible!

[JohnMickish]

That is the Depthmaster series. I own a few and have caught many a eye with them. There are better rod/reel combos out there but for that price it's hard to beat, especially if your starting out. That rod also works with planer boards and if you swap out the reel it works with leadcore too. Speaking of leadcore, you can also use it when running your spinner rigs to get them to the depth you want without adding any more weight.

Limit Creek has a couple of new rods out this years that are some of the best out there and they would fit in your budget as well. Talk to Dean at Everts and he can let you test drive one.

[mdog898]

Thanks MNfishinguy for pointing me in the right direction. I will swing by and see dean. Should I be looking at a 8 to 8 1/2 foot rod? Would a medium or a medium light action be best? Again, thanks for the help.

[JohnMickish]

I like an 8'6" rod for trolling. Why? I don't know, it' just what I have used. As far as action, one guys medium can be another guys medium light so you will have to compare rods to see what you like. If your planning on trolling shad type baits you don't really need that stiff of a rod, and it needs to be limber enough to take a snag or a hit by a 10 lb fish going the other way. Dean knows his stuff and will be able to help you out.

Let us know what you came up with.

[Het]

I have used the Daiwa SG 27 series linecounter reels, on Ugky Stik CAL 7' medium acttion rods for pulling boards with spinners and cranks for a few years now, and couldn't be happier. The shorter rods make for a lot easier netting of the fish.

The reels cost about $85 each, or you could get the Accudepth Plus models for around $59. The rods go for $30 each, and are indestructable.

[Northlander]

Check out Limit Creeks line of trolling rods. Good bang for the buck with them. Plus they are a sponsor of this site. www.limitcreek.com

[Het]

I have used the Daiwa SG 27 series linecounter reels, on Ugky Stik CAL1100 7' medium action rods for pulling boards with spinners and cranks for a few years now, and couldn't be happier. The shorter rods make for a lot easier netting of the fish.

The reels cost about $85 each, or you could get the Accudepth Plus models for around $59. The rods go for $30 each, and are indestructable.

[Borch]

The Daiwa sealine linecounter reel paired with a 7-9 ft medium/medium light rod is a good combo. I lean to the ML or a slower action medium wright rod when running braid line which is what I use almost exclusively for trolling set ups.

[foulpole18]

If you going to fish Pepin a lot, I would recommend getting a lead core set up. Seems to me that the walleyes really like the smaller cranks that you can't get down that deep. My great uncle lives in Lake City and fishes there everyday and always is pulling lead.