Trolling-Rods, Reels, line

[Snag]

What setup do you guys use. I saw in some previous posts that some are using catfish rods that have a lot of give. Does anyone use line counters reels and what line would you all suggest?

I plan on trolling for skies on Tonka quite a bit this fall.

[RedDB76]

I don't have a good muskie setup for trolling yet - but I am planning on a Shimano TDR rod with an Okuma Magda Pro line counter. You can pick up the heavy TDR rods for $30 at Thorne Bros, and the Okuma reel at Fleet Farm for around $50. I currently run this exact setup, except in medium action for walleyes, and have caught a lot of smaller pike and a small tiger musky on the setup. So far, none of the fish I have caught on this setup have really tested it out.....with the length of the rod and the power of the Okuma, all of the fights have been short, and I imagine it would handle a modest size muskie or pike ok. But, I don't think I could use too big of a bait with the medium action. So, I'll probably soon have the heavy - and can report back after I get it.

I am really impressed with the TDR rods - I don't think you can beat them for $30 - you don't need anything fancy for trolling. So far, I really like the Okuma reels too, though I did look at a different model that Cabela's was clearing out, and I wasn't impressed at all.