Need advice on decent trolling rod

[lifeisfun]

Never did much trolling but thinking about it lately.
Can you folks give me advice what trolling rod to buy ?
I like to fish for Pike/Musky/Walleye
Nothing high end but not a broom stick either:)

Thanks

[eye-tracker]

For Pike and Musky you will need a different trolling rod than one for walleye. Walleye trolling rods have a very fast tip section so you do not rip the hooks from the mouth of the walleye and a rated with light power. Pike and musky trolling rods will have more power as the fish have very strong strikes and also weigh much more than walleye. I would figure a 7 to 8 and 1/2 foot rod would be a good length to look at for an all around trolling rod.

If you have any questions about walleye trolling rods I can help you out, but I will leave the Musky and pike questions to folks that have the experience on the water chasing those critters.

-sheldon
-----------
NPAA 928
sheldonhatch.com

[lifeisfun]

Thanks for the fast reply !
Can you point me to actual make/model # for walleye rod ?

Thanks

[1lastcast]

I just picked up 2 shamino rods for trolling walleye at BassPro for just under $80 and Diawa walleye reels with line counters for $60 each. they are great! already put some fish in the boat. The best thing I can say about them is that the 7ft length works well for rigging boards and such. I have longer rods that I may be replacing for that simple fact. Id stay away from large size reels if you can.

I'll dig up the info on the models later tonight for ya.

[eye-tracker]

Walleye trolling rods need to be light, extremely sensitive with fast action tips and a strong butt section to move walleye around as you bring them towards the boat or to be able to pull in-line planer boards.

Good:
Daiwa Heartland Walleye Trolling Rod 7' 10"

Better:
Shimano Compre Walleye Trolling Rod 7' 10"

Best:
G-Loomis WTR 941 Walleye Trolling Rod 7' 10"


-sheldon
NPAA 928
sheldonhatch.com

[lifeisfun]

Thanks guys
Appreciate your help and time to post !

[1lastcast]

Daiwa acuudepth plus 27LCW wallaye series http://www.daiwa.com/Reel/detail.aspx?ID=243

Shimano TDR med light rods 7ft
http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content ... g/TDR.html

what do ya think sheldon?

[eye-tracker]

Daiwa acuudepth plus 27LCW wallaye series http://www.daiwa.com/Reel/detail.aspx?ID=243

Shimano TDR med light rods 7ft
http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content ... g/TDR.html

what do ya think sheldon?

That is a good rod and reel combo and will work well, for walleye and salmonids. Personally, I like to go lighter with a stronger more sensitive composite rod and the small Tekota LC 300 reels or Daiwa 17LC size reels. With right sized rods and reels you can feel every head shake and move the walleye makes or watch a crank-bait make the rod tip dance 200 feet behind the boat.

-sheldon

[Erie-Eyes]

I can second Eye-Tracker's recommendations as I have been using two Shimano Compre walleye trolling rods matched with Shimano Teko 300 LC reels and have been very pleased with them the the past couple of summers. I really liked the G-Loomis trolling rods but they are one piece, while the Shimano's are 1 piece telescoping, which means they can be shortened enough to fit in the 7' rod lockers on my boat, and are easier to store at home.

[mallard1]

i agree with eye tracker i have 8 shimano compree trolling rods with diawa sg 17 lca and sg 27lca the 7ft 10inch rod is perfect with a diawa sg17 lca.

mallard1

[TrollingThunder]

Like what these guys have been saying, the Shimano's are extremely good, can't say I know too much about the walleye end of things however. For Pike and Lunges, my next trolling rod will most likely be a 8' St. Croix Glass rod paired with a Abu-Garcia Amabasadeur 7001, or a Shimano Tekota. There are tons of great rods out there, I'd say Shimano or St. Croix are good roads to head down, I like them both. The Croix's go for about $130/$140. I think the Shimano's run about the same, I might be wrong. My suggestion is try everthing out you can get your hands on, tons of stores with tons of options, just try out as many as you can and I guarantee you'll find one that will feel right.

[lifeisfun]

Should I use braided line or mono for trolling?

[Erie-Eyes]

Should I use braided line or mono for trolling?

I have been using 14 # test Vanish Transition on my walleye trolling rods/reels for the past couple of summers, and to date have been happy with it. This line has the same dia. (.013") as the 10# test mono used to establish diving curves in the Precision Trolling Book, so I make no adjustments which keeps it simple.