What is the best length rod for a downrigger?

Re: How to pick downrigger rod length? I use mostly 8.5s , but have a couple 9. They all work, but would stay between those two lengths. 10s have a great bend in the rigger, but are just too big for me to use when baiting and general use around the boat.

What action rod for downrigger?

A medium/light action downrigger rod will whip anything that swims in the Great Lakes region. It's also a misnomer that you need to use light line for smaller species like coho or walleye. In my experience, downrigger fishing is not a finesse presentation.

What is the best weight for an all around downrigger?

What Size Downrigger Weight Is Best? Target Depth Minimum Weight Size 50ft or Less 8lb Weight 75ft or Less 10lb Weight 100ft or Less 12 - 14lb Weight 100ft or More 16lb - 20lb Weight 1 more row Sep 5, 2023

How far behind the downrigger should the lure be?

Once you clip your line into the downrigger release clip, adjust the setback to always add up to 100 feet . So if you are fishing 25 feet deep, the set back is 75 feet, if you are fishing 50 feet deep, the setback is 50 feet, and so on. The deeper you go the tighter you can run your presentation to your canon ball.

What is the optimal rod length?

Rods under 6'6” are ideal for trout, panfish, and younger anglers. Longer rods over 7' are popular for some bass fishing techniques such as using swimbaits and crankbaits and longer rods are also the go-to choice for anglers targeting salmon and steelhead.

How do I choose a rod length?

Rod Length Longer rods make longer casts in general . While shorter rods give you more control but shorter casts. Fishing from a boat or a kayak a shorter rod is preferred choice, while fishing from the shore along banks the longer rod gives a big advantage. Shorter rods are usually between 5-7 feet (152-213 cm).

How do I choose a rod action?

Fast action rods are great for most applications where a short to long casting distance is involved and single hooks are the rule , such as worm and jig fishing. Medium and medium-fast rods will usually provide a little more casting distance and still provide adequate hooksetting power.

What is the difference between a downrigger rod and a Dipsy rod?

i.e. the downrigger rods are long and very flexible and typically medium power. The dipsy rods are heavier, typically a medium heavy rod . For dipsy now and then use, you can pick up about any medium heavy rod that you want with a trigger handle and decent reel seat and be fine.

What does a longer rod length do?

"Longer rods are supposed to extend the power range through improved breathing ability and allow the piston to dwell longer at TDC ," continued Sherman. ' This means that a long-rod motor should make more power at a higher rpm than a short-rod motor.

What length rod for skipping docks?

Skipping requires some practice and at times will frustrate even the best anglers on the lake because you will make mistakes and lose a few lures. I start with a good free spooling baitcasting reel and my favorite 6'6” to 7” foot medium heavy rod. Make sure the rod you're using is not too long and not too stiff.

How long should a Texas rig rod be?

So we're talking more about general-purpose Texas rig fishing, and a longer rod is necessary for that. A 7-foot-4 to 7-foot-8 is kind of the ideal area, maybe 7-foot-3 even if you're a shorter guy, because of several reasons.

Downrigger Rod Recommendations [Archive] - Walleye Message Central (2024)

Walleye Message Central > Walleye Message Central > Strictly Fishing > Downrigger Rod Recommendations

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jb_wi

02-25-2016, 12:34 PM

What is your preferred downrigger rod?

I will be targeting mainly walleye and occasionally lake tout. These will be used with Scotty 1050 manual riggers (short boom) that I just purchased.

I'm thinking the Ugly 8'3 medium action may be a good choice, but looking for advice from those of you with more experience, as I'm new to down rigging.

Any recommendations appreciated as far as brand, length, and the best suited action for down rigging.

Thanks - Justin

Snowking

02-25-2016, 01:23 PM

For downrigging I use ugly stick 7 foot BWD rods. They have a softer more bendable tips. I use the 7 footers because they store in my boat compared to the over 8 footers. I use th ugly stick CAL rods for planer boards. They are stiffer on top then the BWD. They do not bend over as much when pulling planer boards. I would say the only advantage of the over 8 footers is taking up more slack line when the release goes off. One tip is when the downrigger goes off reel up quick till you feel the fish. If you are fishing deep their will be allot of slack line when the release goes off. Normally people loosen up the drag and lower the downrigger ball down with some tension on the fishing line. That way you do not get a bow in your line. Means less slack line to the downrigger ball. I really like These releases very adjustable for light bitting http://www.fishusa.com/product/Chamberlain-Downrigger-Release

B-man

02-25-2016, 01:35 PM

Daiwa Wilderness rods are dang near bullet proof and they practically give them away :raisin:

Since eyes are the primary target I would look at the medium action 8' (802mr) or possibly even the medium light 8' (802mlr).

Take the money you saved and put it towards better reels. Line counters aren't necessary, but nice to have if you want to pull double or triple duty out of your trolling combos (downrigging, long lining, planer boards, etc).

AllenW

02-25-2016, 02:55 PM

Medium or medium light TDR Shimano 8 or 8' 6" rod, cheap and pretty much bullet proof.

Yellow Fever

02-25-2016, 03:37 PM

I second the Ugly Stik ....Short rod fan myself as i fish buy myself and it is easier to net fish.

lund_prosport

02-25-2016, 08:09 PM

Cabala's Depthmaster rod/reel combos have been good to me for 12 years. Salmon and walleye.

Snowking

02-26-2016, 02:14 PM

Update on the ugly stick CAL rods. They stopped making them and replaced with the GX2 rods.

Ozark Bob

02-26-2016, 06:09 PM

What is your preferred downrigger rod?

I will be targeting mainly walleye and occasionally lake tout. These will be used with Scotty 1050 manual riggers (short boom) that I just purchased.

I'm thinking the Ugly 8'3 medium action may be a good choice, but looking for advice from those of you with more experience, as I'm new to down rigging.

Any recommendations appreciated as far as brand, length, and the best suited action for down rigging.

Thanks - Justin
If they are to be used exclusively for down rigger the 8'3" to 9' is good but the Med light might be your best action.(get more bend in your rod to take up more slack upon strike). Bob

KraTToR

02-26-2016, 06:41 PM

What is your preferred downrigger rod?

I will be targeting mainly walleye and occasionally lake tout. These will be used with Scotty 1050 manual riggers (short boom) that I just purchased.

I'm thinking the Ugly 8'3 medium action may be a good choice, but looking for advice from those of you with more experience, as I'm new to down rigging.

Any recommendations appreciated as far as brand, length, and the best suited action for down rigging.

Thanks - Justin

Shimano TDR or Talora Medium (8 or 8.5')
Fenwick Eagle 8'6" Medium telescopic, cork, trigger grip
BPS Leopard 8'6 medium.

FishManDan

02-28-2016, 04:00 PM

Okuma GLT (great lakes trolling) downrigger

Shimano TDR (trolling down rigger)

Eagle Claw Downrigger

Daiwa Wilderness DR (down rigger)

All good choices and you can find them cheaply.

If you ask me at least 8ft rods and set them with a big bend so when you get a release they take up slack and you cant miss them.

jigstop

02-28-2016, 05:39 PM

Over the years I've used many different brands and models. I've found brand matters little as they all make good rigger rods. I started out thinking that I wanted all 8'6" or 9' rods and have switched to all 7' and 7'6" rods as they are much more comvenient than the long ones. A long rod "setting the hook" is a myth. Think of how much slack line is in the line when it releases, no rod unless it's 100' long is going to pull the slack out. Set your releases as tight as you can for your line and the fish you're going for and make sure your hooks are super sharp. That way the hook should at least be "pricked" into the fish's mouth before the line comes off the release.

sylvan81

02-28-2016, 06:48 PM

Medium or medium light TDR Shimano 8 or 8' 6" rod, cheap and pretty much bullet proof.

I have a bunch of TDRs. Great rod for the buck. 8' or 8'6" is long enough. No need for a longer rod on a downrigger as it will just be in the way.

jb_wi

02-29-2016, 08:05 AM

Thanks for the advice everyone. I ended up going with Ugly Stick 7'6" one piece rods in Med light action.

-JB

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Downrigger Rod Recommendations [Archive] - Walleye Message Central (2024)

FAQs

What is the best length rod for a downrigger? ›

How long should a Texas rig rod be? ›

Target Depth	Minimum Weight Size
50ft or Less	8lb Weight
75ft or Less	10lb Weight
100ft or Less	12 - 14lb Weight
100ft or More	16lb - 20lb Weight