Rods for Walleye Trolling??

[PikeBayCommanche]

I am looking at getting a new rod for trolling for walleyes and wondering what is everyones favorite for this.

I was looking at some 8 ft. rods

[Rost]

I use 8.5 ft Cabelas Depthmaster Rods (Downrigger). They are great for long line trolling and boards as well. Very soft and forgiving which helps you put big fish in the boat. And the best part is they're only about $40.

[PerchJerker]

I will be the minority here but I use 7 or 7.5 foot graphite rods for all my trolling, whether it be boards, dipsys, or flatlines. I just don't care for the long mushy rods, I have used them a lot but I don't use them anymore. But if you go that route, the P&K walleye rods from bass pro are really nice, although they run about $60 when not on sale. Good luck.

[Northlander]

For bottom bouncers I have been using the Gander Mt. 8.5' telescoping rods. Can get them 25% off quite often. Plus they colapse and fit in my 7' rod lockers without having to break them down. If your rods are going to be in holders most of the time like when pulling boards or long lining dont waste the extra money on the expensive graphite rods.

Should be able to find good rods on sale for less than $50 easy. Graphite rods are great but I dont see a need for the sensitivity and added expense when they the rods will not be in your hands til the fish is already on the line/hook.

[PerchJerker]

The graphite rods I use for trolling are $30-$50 rods. I spend a lot more on my jigging and rigging rods, but like Northlander points out you don't need expensive rods for trolling with rod holders. The point I was trying to make is that I prefer catching fish on graphite rods instead of long mushy glass rods, and that I don't notice any disadvantage to using graphite instead of longer glass rods.

[PikeBayCommanche]

Yeah thanks for the input guys I was looking at the 8'5 telescoping rods I have seen people who use them and like them. There isn't a problem fighting the big ones on the telescoping rods. Seems like they wouldn't play the fish as well.

[ChuckN]

A friend built me an 8' telescoping trolling rod. It's graphite, and a heck of a nice piece. Another friend had one built, but his is a one piece fiberglass.

Of both rods side by side, my friend's fiberglass rod really does not lose fish pulling plugs. We've fished next to each other for years and watched the difference between our set-ups.

We troll with Fireline and that fiberglass rod absorbs a lot of stress that the line will not. I love my rod, but I have to be very careful with the drag on the reel.

[Team Otter]

I use similar set-ups to what Rost has described. Very nice.

[Rost]

One of the main reasons I like a soft rod is that I troll with Power Pro (which has no stretch). When your line can't absorb the shock, your rod needs to. I also make sure to set the drag ultra loose. I think a stiffer graphite rod would work well with mono.

This has been a debate for years. I think it all goes back to personal preference.

[waskawood]

I troll raps at night as long as there is an open season and open water. I like the sensitive graphites plus I use the braided lines. I mainly troll weedy shallow water and if I pick up the slightest bit of weed I can feel the action change. I couldn't do that with the less sensitive rods and mono.

[PerchJerker]

Rost makes a good point about using a soft rod in combination with Power Pro or similar lines. When PikeBayCommanche said he was looking at 8 foot rods I assumed they would be for pulling planer boards, and I almost always use mono for pulling boards. But when I troll flatlines I never use mono and my favorite rod for flatlines is a 7 foot graphite Rapala rod in ML action that I found at Gander for about $35 -- and I leave the drag loose enough that biggest fish will pull a little drag when I hook them.

[PikeBayCommanche]

Thanks for all the input guys. Yeah I am talking about just pulling big husky jerks and other raps. Was using 12 pound diameter Power Pro but thinking about switching to the 8 pound thinking it might give the bait a a little more action. Who are the brands that make the telescoping rods?

Thanks guys my walleye fishing is improving everyday.

[TommyJ33]

Take a look at the Shimano Compre 8'3" and 8'6" trolling rods. the 8'3" is teloscoping and the 8'6" is a two piece. I was in Cabelas the other day and they looked and felt nice.

they have a nice composite handle that feels like cork but will not dent or break up, making it a great handle for taking in and out of rod holders. It is not suppose to stick as much as cork allowing for an easier release from the holder.

[Northlander]

How much were they?

[TommyJ33]

$119 for the Shimano Compre rods.

They would also make a good slip bobber rod for a better hook set. I would think they would also double as a great steelhead or light salmon rod as well. Nice forgiving sensitive tip with lots of reserve backbone.

[TravisC]

the best rods for the money for anything from mono to leadcore have been bps walleye signiture rods. you can get them in 7'6,8'and 8'6.