View Full Version : 12' & 14' Trolling Rods
Traxion
08-27-2009, 07:43 PM
Just curious how many are using the long 12' and 14' trolling rods. Used the 12's that a friend had a bit this summer and really liked them. Good spread on the lines, lots of leverage, and good action with both superlines and leadcore.
The rods I used were the Pro Tackle 12's. Anyone use the Bass Pro 12's much yet? Or the Jason Mitchell 14's. I think in the back of my head I am convinced 14' is too long, but I never thought I would have liked the 12's as much as I did. Are there any other long rods out there worth considering? Thanks!
Johnnie Candle
08-27-2009, 08:42 PM
Scheels makes a 14 foot rod now. I have used it some and it works just like you would want it to. I still haven't decided the best way to get fish to the net. Walking to the front of the boat works as well as 'choking up' on the rod.
Check them out. Here is a good review of the rods.
http://www.fishingbuddy.com/articles/product_review_scheel_s_pro_classic_14_foot_cran
Pooch
08-27-2009, 08:53 PM
You guys are way behind the times. I used a 12 and 14' pole fifty years ago. Was made of cane and came in two piece and three piece models. You could buy them for about a dollar at the hardware store back then.
Maybe we're not talking about the same thing.......
Pooch
I've got a couple of Jason Mitchell's 14 foot rods. Have not used them a great deal yet. I agree with Johnnie, the Scheels 14 foot rods are pretty nice too. I've got a couple Scheels 10'6" rods, they are typically the first rods out of the locker.
The only method I've used to get them to the net is to stand in the bow, and bring the fish to the back corner of the boat. Oh well, at least we're not tripping over each other in the boat...
Gotfish
08-27-2009, 10:13 PM
I have the Bass Pro 12 footers and feel that they are best for fireline or mono. I've used the pro tackle and Mitchell rods briefly and they were ok.
I also have the scheels 14 footers and I think they are great for lead core. It's a challenge to net a fish when you're by yourself.
Backwater Eddy
08-28-2009, 05:47 AM
Just curious how many are using the long 12' and 14' trolling rods. Used the 12's that a friend had a bit this summer and really liked them. Good spread on the lines, lots of leverage, and good action with both superlines and leadcore.
The rods I used were the Pro Tackle 12's. Anyone use the Bass Pro 12's much yet? Or the Jason Mitchell 14's. I think in the back of my head I am convinced 14' is too long, but I never thought I would have liked the 12's as much as I did. Are there any other long rods out there worth considering? Thanks!
Long rod systems are nothing new really, some of the first in use were 12' to 16' European Predator rods rigged for night time trolling some 15 years ago or so. At the time it didn't catch on for the same reasons many are concerned about now, boat side netting and landing of fish.
Frabill has a good answer for this the long trolling rod problem, its the Frabill model #3805 TRU-TRAX Shovel (48" to 96") Telescopic net system. It is the troller's net system that can help compensate for them short arms.
Change handle length instantly to suit your angling style with a twist of the wrist! Eliminates searching for spring buttons and fumbling with handle alignment. Easy actuation. Untighten cam-lock and extend handle to desired length retighten cam-lock. Net stays in perfect alignment.
With Frabills MeshGard hoops you never have to worry about your net getting cut or caught up on rocks and other sharp objects. Patent pending PowR-Lok yoke systems feature advanced engineered composite construction providing the strength characteristics of metal in a much lighter weight design. Patent pending design eliminates searching for spring buttons and accidental over extension of the handle.
With the longer trolling rods in use today, this net system is a must have.
REELMAN
08-28-2009, 03:49 PM
I have used the 12 foot walleye angler rods from bass pro for the last 2 years. They are very good and have recommended them to my buddies , who inturn have bought them and liked them. I especially like the 12 footer for pulling spinners and bouncers with the kicker. great action.
Traxion
08-28-2009, 05:40 PM
What is the MSRP of the Scheels rod?
I forgot I handled a Cabelas 12' too. It was spiral wrapped, which I really like too. A few more options out there than I thought.
Pro V1
08-28-2009, 10:06 PM
I have a 10' 6" scheels rod and a 10' 6" cabellas that I run in my front rod holders and a 5' scheels and 5' cabellas I run in the back holders. All rods have daiwa line counters. The cabelas rods were considerably cheaper than the scheels rods and I have no complaints about any of them.
Ristorapper
08-29-2009, 09:47 PM
I collapse my telescoping 8'6 trolling rods down to their 7'1" storage length when fishing alone and netting the fish by myself just before I get the fish to the boat (once the LC gets to 25' or so).
Has anyone gotten the idea to do the same with the two piece 10/12/14' rods, like breaking them down into the two pieces and fighting/netting the fish with the 5/6/7 foot tip of the rod??????? I've thought of it but haven't fished with the longer rods by myself yet. Guessing it would work. My boat isn't long enough to use the 12 or 14 footers without doing so me thinks!!
Just an idea.
Wyo-eye
09-25-2009, 10:02 AM
I have been using a modified Cabelas Predator rod 11' in a tournament for 11 years, and my partner used a 10' on the opposite side to give a wider spread. We usually pull bouncers w/ bait and smile blades. I think this helped us get 3 top 5 finishes, especially in clear water.
A friend that opened a bait shop turned me on to the Jason Mitchell 14' rods and we put one out each side this year and caught two ten pounders on the big rods.
We were a little worried about netting fish, but it is no problem, as stated above just sweep the rod forward. You can even net your own fish. I use fairly long snells in clear water anyway.
In summary, the big rods are surprisingly manageable, and give you a whopping spread without the hassle of a planer. We love 'em.
Papascott
09-25-2009, 10:18 AM
For the guys that have used these rods to pull bouncers, how heavy of a weight can they handle? I use alot of 4-8oz bouncers?
Scott
Risto,
It is no big deal to land a fish with a long rod, with a short net.
As the fish gets close to the boat and tired enough so that it doesn't make a run, simply choke up on the rod several feet, and net the fish.
i.e. drop the butt of the rod on the floor of the boat and choke up about 3 or 4 feet. You will be good to go.
If in doubt, drop the entire rod into the boat and simply grab the line and pull the fish in by hand by use of the line.
Sometimes folks simply make this fishing thing much too complicated.
Take care
REW
Remember ice fishing - drop the rod and grab the line and pull in the fish?? (worry about the tangles later!!)
Risto,
Your boat length is really not important with respect to the length of the rods being used.
You can use 20 foot rods in a 14 foot boat if you like. These longer rods will normally all be two piece rods. So, a 14 foot rod would break down to a 7 foot length.
Take care
REW
Backwater Eddy
09-26-2009, 07:02 AM
A tip I can add to that that I found handy with my longer 2-piece Kitty and trolling rods is for storage is I use the new Rod Slicks that are larger in diamiter (yellow or Blue Slicks) made for the larger spinning rods.
That way the folded 2-piece trolling rods can be poked into the slick and managed better in the locker.
If the Rod slick is too long simply roll the bottom edge up onto itself and it fits better and holds firmer on the doubled up rod blanks.