Looking at a new Trolling rod

[18 inch Crappie]

Looking at adding a setup for Trolling Rapalas ect. Now I use a St. Croix Premier 6'6" med,fast action with a Gander Pro Tournament 35 spinning reel. Should my new rod be a spinning or Casting set up? What Size and action do you guys use? Any info would be great.

[PerchJerker]

If you're trolling cranks a line counter reel is nice, or even a level-wind reel that lets you count passes and determine how much line you have out. The name of the game is knowing how much line you have out and how deep your bait is running, then repeating it after you get on fish. Can't really do that with a spinning reel.

If you're going to really get serious about trolling you should get a Precison Trolling book which gives dive charts for most of the crankbaits you can buy.

I do most of my trolling with 7 foot graphite rods with soft tips. Lots of guys like longer mushier trolling rods but I'd rather catch fish on graphite. I troll a lot and use 7 foot graphite rods for planer boards, dipsys, lead core, flatlining, etc. and get by just fine. Good luck with your shopping.

[Northlander]

If your trolling boards or just longlining your rod will most likely be in the rod holder. You do not need a high end graphite rod for this application. I like the Gander Mt. telescoping rods in a 8' length that scope down to 6.6". Fit in my 7' rod lockers then. They are usually about $40 I think but you can get them 25% off a lot. Another good trolling rod is the Shimano trooling rod that telescopes but they run about $70 I think. For a rod thats in the holder all the time I dont need to spend that much. I also have some Diawa rods that I like but I cant remember the exact names.

If you really want a top of the line Rod and are maybe considering a custom job call the boys at Midwest rods. Bill and Al make some of the nicest rods I have ever seen and the ones I have I love. www.midwestrodandreel.com

[PerchJerker]

That's a good point Northlander makes about the rods not needing to be high end. Rod holders and pulling boards and dipsys will take their toll on rods. The rods I use for trolling typically cost $35-$65 - a good example is the gander mtn IM7 rods. Strong enough and long enough to serve as good trolling rods, more fun to catch fish on in my opinion, and not too expensive. And when I troll 3-way rigs or throw for pike or bass I take my line counters off and put casting reels on and it lets me get by with a few less rods.

[dfv87]

get a minimum of 7' IMO, I like med actions vs the med heavy but I shallow troll for eyes at night so I can get away with lighter set up. I also use smaller raps so the med allows me to feel the lure better. Soft tip rods are a must also. Rapala rods seem to work for me nicely. I agree not to spend big $$ on them as they do break from time to time.

[zelek]

I just ordered a trolling rod from Bass Pro that was designed by Gary Parsons and Keith Kavajecz--at least that's what they advertise. It's a 7' 6" rod, med action, IM-6 and good for lures up to 3 oz. I like to troll big cranks at night and I'm hoping this works out ok. The rod is only $35 with the purchase of a Daiwa SeaLine line counter reel.

[Corey Heiser]

I found that the BPS trolling rods are the best out there. Pair them up with Diawa 27's and they can't be beat.

[ZOKU]

Chalk this up as another vote for Midwest Rod & Reel - ordered a 7'0" Med/Heavy from them a couple of weeks ago... and it is nothing short of phenomenal.

[Borch]

I troll a lot of cranks. I mostly longline lures from small shad raps to 7+ inch long baits. I generally use the medium action baitcasting rods from 6-6 1/2 ft spooled with various superbraids. The softer rods help with the no stretch lines. Often the cheaper rods will be a bit softer. Most of mine are IM 6 or 7 Guide Series or Scheels rods. Good quality at a reasonable price and a no questions asked return policy. The no stretch comes in handy for fishing weeds. Both for noticing any small piece on the lure and for snapping the stuff off. I usually hold onto my rod so I can pump it as I'm trolling. It's amazing how many fish will smack it on the pause. But some time the rod holders will increase your hooking percentage.

Good Luck!