Trolling Rods

[KToms]

I'm looking for a 7' or 7'5" trolling rod for boards on Erie. Can anyone offer any suggestions? I've heard the BPS Walleye Angler Series was pretty good. How's the tip and overall weight of the rod? Any comments would be appreciated.

[Erie_Tournament_Troller]

The rods we use are old 7' med. St Croixs that are not available. I would suggest you call Den at Vermillion Tackle Shack. He can suggest the next best, and he will NOT just try and sell you what he has. His number is 1 888 855 9032. Really nice guy who wants to help. Tell him Jim sent you. Or better yet tell him some who called him an "old fart" sent you. Good luck.

[larry g]

Just my two cents worth, take it for what its worth.The BPS composite rods, are not that expensive, alost 7.5 ft, they go back into the butt section for ease of storage, and they are very hardy.Why spend very good money for something that sits in a rod holder?I use these things for striper fishing fishing, pulling an umbrella and also for planer boards, there is no reason for "feel"ina trolling rod. If you cant get those, get ugly sticks. I used to make my own rods, but its almost impossible to get glass blanks nowadays, and when you do find them, they cost just as much as the graphite rods do.

[Eric(fishing pharmacist)]

I have been using Bass Pro shops exsclusive rods for the last two years pulling cranks. I use their salmon rod and wouldn't trade it. PWT pro Johnnie Candle introduced them to me on lake erie a few summers ago. Thanks again Johnnie for all the advice and the great boat!! I have been pulling cranks on planer boards and they seem to be a great match. The longer handle and stiffer back bone is nice for pulling in the boards. I have caught some nice walleye with little problems. The diawa counter reels work great with the rod. If you want the specific number of the pole give me an e-mail and I will get it to you.

Good luck and good fishing,
Eric

[preditor]

The walleye angler series are very fine rods, even more so for the money. I would recommend the 7 ½ to 8’ or even 8 ½ for lake Erie to keep the waves off the line to the board. The problem with real long rods is that it can be hard for you to take the board off or snap weight off yourself when fighting a heavy fish and your buddy is doing the same. Unless of course you are tall and have a huge wing span. I am 6' and a 7 1/2 rod is a stretch, but 8 is not impossible.

I use a BPS rod Pro Comp II 7' or 7 1/2' telescopic. Cost $25.00 Unfortunately it is no longer made, it was a graphite composite with an EVA handle not cork. Although I prefer cork handles on all other rods, they tend to get tore up after a couple of years of being yanked out of and shoved into rod holders. If you can find a 7 ½ rod that is Med Heavy with EVA handles, then you probably have a rod that will work just fine. An Ugly Stick rod would be fine but I don’t think they make one that is 7 ½ and Med Heavy without having to go to the big water series. Then the $45.00 that you are spending you might as well buy the Walleye Angler series rod, it is far better balanced for this use. Notice they (walleye angler) have EVA handles also.


Hope this helps

Preditor.

[schaefer]

If you can find the Gary Roach signature series planer board rods from Berkeley, they are the best that I have used. I also like the Walleye Series rods from BPS. Both of these rods are telescopic for storage, but the Roach rods have a little stiffer tip, which is nice for pulling boards in rough water. Good Luck! Marty

[SeaCat]

Over the winter I picked up 4 Diawa Heartland-X model HL-X D762 MLR rods to handle walleye and steelhead inline board fishing. They are a 7 1/2' medium light rod rated for 10-17# test. Everything about them seems just about right -- length, action, foam grips (both butt and foregrip), and the foregrip is big enough to get a hand on. I paid about $30 each and have seen them at Dick's and MC Sports for $25.

Had them out twice now and so far I really like them. Have 2 with Okuma 20DX and 2 with Diawa SG27's, both with 12# line spooled on. Biggest walleye so far on the rod is a 9#er. Biggest salmon was a 18# king -- that took a while (oh darn ;-)) -- plus a bunch in the 10-15# range.

Ryan

[4-given]

Look at the BPS Graphite Series Trigger rods. You can get them for $20.00, if you don't mind cork handles.