Trolling Set-up

[HugoBox]

I know Cjac has a favorite and nicely priced Shimano rod for trolling but I can't think of the model. I checked out a Talora last night and kinda dug it. I also looked at some of the cat rods but an wondering if there's enough backbone for a solid hookset. What length and power would you suggest??

thanks - erik

[Cooter]

Just a suggestion, check out St Croix Wild River series.

[b1gf1sh1]

best suggestion i can give is go talk to Pat over at Thorn Bros. there are too many variables in fishing styles. and i'll tell you what... Pat knows them all.

[RK]

Hiya -

Personally most of my trolling is done using a St Croix Tidemaster in a model that is sadly no longer made. They have a really unique action that helps crankbaits bounce out of the rocks fall trolling in Canada, and they work fine for other trolling too. I have 'em handy, so that's what I use. That having been said, I do use the Teloras a lot too, especially pulling boards. For length, I like 8' to 8'6", although nothing wrong with 9 footers either. Nice to be able to spread lines out when you have 3 people in the boat. I can troll 4 lines and not tangle.

The Teloras are really a great option for trolling rods. Most of the guys I know use the Telora Dipsey Diver rods - they have a little more backbone than the rigger rods. And you sure can't beat the price. At the $ they run, they're affordable even if you won't use them much. I know Diawa has similar rods but I'm not sure what the model/series name is.

As far as backbone goes, you really don't want or need much. Keep in mind you're 'setting the hook' with a 1,200 lb boat and an outboard, so backbone isn't much of an issue. In fact too much backbone is a much bigger problem - you'll lose fish, especially if you troll with braid. For a trolling rod a moderate action and med-heavy power is more than adequate. You really want something forgiving, especially if you use rod holders. And set your drag so it slips if you hit the throttle hard...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[HugoBox]

Good stuff as always RK. Are you speaking at the Expo this year?

Thanks - erik

[b1gf1sh1]

Quote:

As far as backbone goes, you really don't want or need much. Keep in mind you're 'setting the hook' with a 1,200 lb boat and an outboard, so backbone isn't much of an issue. In fact too much backbone is a much bigger problem - you'll lose fish, especially if you troll with braid. For a trolling rod a moderate action and med-heavy power is more than adequate. You really want something forgiving, especially if you use rod holders. And set your drag so it slips if you hit the throttle hard...

good points. in another post i indicated my dislike for all-glass rods (except lead lineing). for hooksets the drag needs to be set too tight and fighting fish that jump or change directions is a lost fish... i might change my mind if i were to fish braid. but i fish mono only for normal trolling. big fish or little fish. and a hybrid glass/graphite rod. somebody mentioned the ugly-stick in another post. i agree with it but the style is important. i used to have an ugly-stick ''Tiger'' downrigger rod years back. i never seen the fish that dragged it in off the bank but i'm sure it was a 100 LB. catfish....just ptsssht... and gone. nice reel too, shimano spinning reel with both the fightin' drag and the baitrunner(which i forgot to use obviously). can't be replaced . anyway i liked that rod for anything. i'd get one, but if i did every time i used it i'd remember missing the state record cat.

[guideman]

Back in the day we all used the big cat rods however they did have some problems. About 10 years ago I had a set of custom rods made that are glass/graphite composite and I really like them.

Mine are 8 footers but like any rod, get the ones that are right for you. Mine also have the foam handles, instead of the cork, they stay in the rod holders much better than cork does. They are also much easier to hold on to, when it gets really cold in late fall.

"Ace"

Ace guide service.