Trolling Rod Selection

[walleyechasers3]

We are getting into trolling. There is always 3 of us in the boat. I'm looking at 2 rods out each side pulling boards and 2 out the back longlining. My question is what rods to use on planer boards (brand, lenght, action)? I will be using offshore OR-12 boards.

[TK]

For trolling we use the collapsible rods made by cabelas.  We use the 8'-6" and a 9' foot rods.  We bought thme with the accudepth line counter reels and have been using them for 2-3 years with no problems.

[walleyechasers3]

What action are they? How do you like the accudepth reels? I was looking at getting the SG17LCA reels

[TK]

It says there planor board on the rods.  Doesn't say an action.  As far as the reels they work good.  Never had a problem with them in the last couple years.

[Mayfly]

Walleyechaser,

Welcome to the site. I wish I had some experience pulling boards so I could offer some advice but I don't. I'm sure between TK and the others you'll get the info you need!

Anyone else have any advice???

 

[TK]

Here is a link to the combo I got
http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166-cat350027&rid=&indexId=cat350027&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=1&parentType=index&parentId=cat350027&id=0017403

[walleyechasers3]

This is what I am looking at. I need 2 combos for longlining out the back of boat, then 2- 1 off each side on planer board, then 2- 1 off each side with planer board. What length rods you guys suggest? I was looking at the DM76 for longlining, DM86 for the next rods on planers, then DM106 for the next set of planers which would be the farthest from the boat. Let me know your thoughts on length?


http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166-cat350027&id=0018647117269a&navCount=3&podId=0018647&parentId=cat350027&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat350027&hasJS=true

[jigglestick]

walleye chaser, it sounds like you know more about this than anyone who has offered informaion so far. your action would depend on the length of line you plan on setting out, the lure weight you plan to run and the speed you like to troll at.
I have yet to troll like this for walleyes, but I have been thinking of gearing up for it. I will wait until I buy a four stroke motor though.
I was thinking on your farthest  boards, cant you set them to run farther away instead of counting on the length of the rod to get you out there?
10 1/2 feet seems like alot of rod to handle in a boat to me.
there is a guy I know down the road who used to fish the big water on lake michigan and some of the bigger lakes around here. I can ask him about this and report back what he tells me.
he knows his stuff.

I'll let you know what I find out.
thanks for being patient.
 

[walleyechasers3]

I definately know I want Sealine reels, best there is I have done some trolling and have sold my cheaper models of this fall. Now it is time to upgrade. Have caught alot of MN and WI walleyes trolling. Hopefully this year I will be able to make it up for the Fall bite on the Big Pond in MN for some big girls 8) On the outer boards I also thought about the DM90

[jigglestick]

OK, heres the scoop.
though you probably have your mind made up how you want to do this,
my buddy, who is very knowledgeable has told me this.
the eagle claw down rigger rod in 7 1/2 - 8 feet in length is all you need. if you want longer rods that is fine.
these are great rods with a nimble tip with strong back bone.
he didnt buy them acording to the "action" so to say, they said "down rigger rod" on them.
he said these were good for anything from 30 pound salmon to 4 pound walleyes.

you run one planer board out each side of the boat, mounting the mast as far forward on the gunwale and it should have enough hoist to it to keep the planer board line out of the water.
the distance you run the board depends on the situation you might be fishing.
 if you are in wide open spaces, 30-40 feet is very good.
tighter places, like trolling around islands, or submerged structure, wyou would want them in a bit shorter for handling purposes.
run your farthest line out the planer board line and set it in the rod holder. then run the closer line out next keeping it in short of the outer line. your poles out the back run straight out of course.

he highly suggested if you are getting serious about this, to not overlook down riggers either.
you probably already know all of this, but those are the rods he suggested.
you already have your reels chosen, the last thing to consider is your line selection.
if you like, I can go right back to the horses mouth.

he got me all pumped up. I get that way every time I talk to him about this stuff.
he's getting older where he doesnt want to go out by himself anymore, but I have a 17 foot crestliner that will work perfect for this  8)

feel free to offer up tips and pointers here for the rest of the readers on this board.
your experiences will be good reading.

[walleyechasers3]

I will be running lakes like Mille Lac and smaller, not the Great Lakes. Don't need downriggers, will be using rod holders on each side of the boat. Don't need a mast either. He must be a Great Lakes fisherman. I will be running stealth braided 20/6 line or Berkley Big Game 10# mono in the reels (undecided).

[jigglestick]

yep, he loved lake michgan, but often used this set up on a local lake and itworked very well for he and his partner. next summer, that will be me 8)
sounds like you pretty much know what your doing.
like I said, feel free to share some of your knowledge with or members here :)

[walleyechasers3]

I do know if you are going to troll like I do, you will need the Precision Trolling Bible. They are on their 8th Edition.

http://www.precisionangling.com/

Then you need the linecounters to know how far to put your lure out to match depth you want the lure to run match with your line.

I have done alot of trolling last year and just upgrading equipment this year. I would like to buy the St. Croix Tidemasters (7'6" MM) and Wild River (10'6" MM) rods. That will be next year. First I want quality reels. Right now I can't afford a $200.00  Combo times 6. :o Next year I can sell off the rods and move up