Difference between dipsey rods and downrigger rods?

[Whoaru99]

Just wondering what, if any, significant differences there are between so-called dipsey rods and downrigger rods?

Thanks.

[SteveWilson]

I'll throw 2 cents at it. Both rods would have a good amount of flex. Generally I see the Dipsey Diver rods being 9' long and trolling rods for downriggers being shorter. As for rigging, you'll generally put heavier line on a Dipsey rod because of the load put on the rod by the Dipsey Diver, whereas you'll have a lighter weight line on the downrigger rod because the downrigger is doing all the work. I run 10lb mono on my downrigger rods (setup for walleye) and 20lb mono on my Dipsey Diver rods.

[Surface Tension]

Yes the Dipsy Rods are usually longer and bit more backbone then downrigger rods in general but don't let that label sway your purchase of either rod because I've seen Downrigger rods thats aren't that good for Downriggers but they make a good Dipsy rod. In fact all my Great Lakes rods are "downrigger" rods. I use them on Dipsys, Downriggers and surface lines on the boards. The different brands vary that much. Thats not to say I'd use my Diawa Great Lakes System down rigger rods on dipsys. If I'm looking for a Dipsy rod I don't pay any attention to what the manufacturer calls it. I pick it up and see how it fells.