Trolling Rods

[eyepatrol]

Can anyone recommend a good trolling rod - one to use in rod holders for trolling cranks? Length and action recommendation would be appreciated too. Oh yeah, something that is in the $50 - $75 range if possible.

Thanks.

[MuskyBug85]

I suggest the Shimano compre cpctr83mb, it's an 8'3" one piece telescoping medium action. thats what i use with diawa sea lines. i think the rods are around $100 but well worth it. Jonah

[DinkADunk]

Shimano Talora 8', 2 piece, Medium or Medium Light action rod. I use them with Diawa Sealine reels and 10lb test mono, 4lb fireline would also work well. I really like the Medium light rod in that the tip really reflects the action of the crankbait. It's easy to tell if a weed has latched on, or if you're ticking bottom, etc. Oh yeah, and it has enough backbone to pull in a 38" Muskie. I keep mine rigged but the sections separated and covered with a rod sock. They fit nicely in my starboard storage area.

[Northlander]

There are many nice rods in that price range.

Gander Mt. has some nice telescoping rods wich I prefer because they fit in my 7' rod lockers.

The Gary Roach Berkley series of telescoping trolling rods are also very nice for the price.

The shimano Talora is another nice rod but does not telescope.

Length and power depends on how you will use them. I like a Med/light to med rod with a slower action and sofetr tip. Somthing that telegraphs my lure action but isnt so soft that it gets mushy and something thats not so stiff the hooks get ripped out of fish.

[rosspj59]

Just run over to Cabelas in Owatonna and get a couple 8'6" Cabelas brand telescoping trolling rods at 20-25 bucks a piece. These work well and are inexpensive. I have been using these for 3 years with no complaints. They might even be on sale now.

[eyepatrol]

I'm actually developing a Christmas list at the request of my folks, so I'll put these on there and let them decide, among other items I need.

Thanks for the info guys!

[Northlander]

The biggest thing is to handle the rods you want to buy. Find the length and action you want first and foremost. These will be in the holders most often so you dont want a expensive high graphite rod.

Ill post some rods I have with numbers later and you can go check them out on your own. None of my trolling rods are more than $69 a piece and most in the $40 range.

[TravisC]

The 8'6" bass pro rods are the best i have used. developed by two of the best walleye pros to. they telescope and don't have a overly long handle so they don't stick into the boat to far when there in the holders.

[Northlander]

I like the bass pro bottom bouncing rods that Keith and Gary helped design.

[PerchJerker]

I troll a lot and have a lot of trolling set-ups.

I'm not a huge fan of long 2-piece and telescoping trolling rods (I have 4 of them from 7.5 to 8.5 feet). I use them when pulling planer boards in waves and when going after big fish, and they're great for that. But I NEVER use them if not pulling boards, and not even all the time when pulling boards.

For trolling flatlines and leadcore I use 7 ft graphite ML or M action rods. If pulling boards on flat water and expecting to catch walleyes mostly under 24" or so I sometimes use 7 ft graphite MH rods. I have several 7 ft graphite rods I use for trolling, prices range from $30 to $100. They are definately my favorite trolling rods.

I'm just not a fan of longer, heavier rods - I think 7' graphite rods are ideal for length, weight, feel, action, etc. for most situations. Without question they're much more fun to catch fish on. It doesn't matter whether I'm holding the rod 100% of the time, 0% of the time, or somewhere in between, I prefer to use 7 ft graphite rods.

I have no concerns about my rod holders damaging cork handles. The only rod I have that is showing any signs of wear from the rod holder is over 10 years old and has been used more than any of my other trolling rods. My rod holders are Tempress Fish Ons but they're very similar to the other popular rod holders on the market.

If you are going with a long telescoping rod, the P&K Walleye Angler series from Bass Pro are right at the top of the list. Cabelas has some nice rods too. I've never used them but I hear REALLY good things about the new St. Croix trolling rods, I think they're called Wind River or something like that.

There are so many specialized actions out there, ie. Planer Board, Dipsy, Lead Core, Bottom Bouncing, etc. that you have a lot of options to look at. Look at and hold a bunch, maybe you'll run across one or more that feels perfect to you.

Hope this helps, good luck.

[walleyewacker]

I will vouch for the Roach rods. For the dollar probably my favorite, the 7'10" is a great board rod and the 8'6" is a little lighter and great for longline. These rods have great sensitivity as well. I have a few cabelas rods and they work great except they are thicker and are not as sensitive, but serve the purpose well. The shimano clarus is another trolling rod that I am impressed with for that price range. I would make sure you get good sensitivity with whatever you get especially if you fish the prairie lakes with weeds and floating junk most of the year so you know exactly whats going on back there. I would stay with 8'6" for an everyday purpose, I am a fan of the telescoping rods as well.

[insurance guy]

I'm running Shimano Talora's Medium actions and feel they are the BEST trolling rods I've ever used for walleye trolling wheteher I'm using bottom bouncers, longling cranks or sticks or using my downriggers. I have the 8ft models and a couple 8'6"ers. I also have some Diawa Heartlands which are pretty nice but not Talora nice. I run mostly Shimano Tekota and Diawa Sealine Linecounters. Tekota's are hands down the best trolling reels I've found and matched up with the Talora rods you've got a killer combo.