Glass vs. Graphite Trolling Rods

[Youngeye]

Looking for opinions on glass vs. graphite trolling rods. I have always used graphite but I am considering buying six glass rods for trolling.

Any input is welcome.

Youngeye@neitns.net

[Phil T.]

Temper this reply with the fact I currently use graphite flippin' sticks for most of my trolling.
Any fishing method that puts the rod in a rod holder instead of your hand means there is no advantage to the sensitivity increase or weight reduction offered by graphite. Glass is more durable (in case you snag something) flexes more on the strike (important if you use low-stretch lines) and may be cheaper.
If you've already got graphite you use for nolthing else, just replace them with glass as needed. If you use the graphite for jigging or other hands-on methods, buy the glass rods for trolling.

[Fin Addict]

For trolling, glass is a much better option. Glass is more durable, less expensive, better able to keep even pressure on a fish while you get to the rod to remove it from the holder and more give in the rod also leads to less hooks thrown near the boat. Graphite rods do not hold up well to the constant strain produced by trolling. As Phil mentioned, weight and sensitivity are the advantages for graphite and you need neither of these for trolling.

[punch1]

Chalk up another vote for the glass rods for the good reasons mentioned above.

Patrick Wunsch

[john]

What glass rods are you guys using? The couple that I have looked at were more $$$ than compareable graphite. Thanks

[Osprey]

It's pretty tough to bet a rod like a $35 Ugly Stick for trolling. I'd never think about using one for jigging or casting, but for trolling you can't beat glass. Some of the pro's have even gone back to glass for casting crank baits for durability and flex because you don't need the sensitivty.

"Osprey"

[Hooky]

Gander Mnt. has Guide series rods on sale for 29 dollars.

[Bradnd]

The Cabelas E-glass rods are on sale in the summer catalog $19.99 each. I've used them for awhile now with no complaints. Just got a couple more.

Take care,

Brad

[Bobby]

Just curious, don't you want a fast tip on a trolling rod to monitor your crankbait to see if it's fouled or how its running? Graphite rods often have fast actions while glass rods usually have moderate actions. Would a graphite trolling rod that's 7'6" or longer in a medium action not have lots of 'forgiveness' (due to its length) when you're fighting a larger fish? I may be wrong here, but I was considering a new trolling rod in short order here.

I was originally looking at the G.Loomis Crankbait series for all the reasons everyone here has mentioned (in favour of glass rods). However, the local G.Loomis rep said he recommended a cheaper alternative to the Crankbait series (the hot shot series) stating that the fast tip was what I wanted for trolling shadraps and that the longer length would address any concerns I had about playing a fish. Then, a salesman at the store mentioned that he and the other salesmen use Shimano Compre 7'6" rods (medium action with fast tip) as a cheaper alternative to the G.Loomis, as sensitivity didn't matter anyhow.

I know glass is the way to go for casting cranks, but I've always heard that graphite was the way to go for trolling them. You get to monitor the bait through the fast tip and, to compensate for the lack of a moderate action, you use a very long rod to give you lots of 'play' when you fight the fish. Is this not correct?

[Bobby]

Just curious if anyone could help me out as per above. Am I alone in this thinking - fast action longer graphite rod for trolling better than fibreglass moderate action? I'm in the market for a new trolling rod.

[Starfish]

You're right in many respects-- I use a Loomis HSR 1021C for a lot of my plug trolling because you can read the action so well. But I also have an old, soft fiberglass 8'3" Eagle Claw rod that I used to hate because it was so soft and had so few line guides... until I figured out that it often outfished every other rod in the boat. I finally rebuilt it with a trigger handle and plenty of guides, and now it's formally dubbed "Lucky Pierre" and coveted by all my buddies. So, I'd say get the fiberglass rod if you're just using it for trolling, but you won't regret a nice graphite if you're planning to do some steelhead drift fishing or other applications with it.

[REW]

Actually there is another very good reason for using glass for crankbaits -- i.e. the slowness of the rod.

i.e. graphite is so quick to respond - that often, when trolling with a graphite rod, even with a fast tip - there is simply not enough "give" to allow the fish to have a good hook up on a crank.

However, with the glass - particularly in a "moderate action - at least 1/2 of the rod has a significant amount of "give" to allow a better hook up of the fish to the crank.

Now, if you want to use a graphite rod - go to a lighter action - and perhaps with a moderate action, and you will be able to troll fine.

If the bulk of the rod is relatively stiff - as is the case with a hot shot rod - you lose some of the advantages of the glass rod.

The other thing to consider is the line stretch -- if you are using mono - with a significant amount of line stretch - then the use of a stiffer "i.e. graphite" rod - is a possibility. However, if you use a braid, or non stretch line - then it is really in your fish hooking % interest - to go with a longer softer rod. Both the length and softness, will cushion the strike from tearing out hooks. Also, the longer softer rod, allows more fish to be boated - and not have them tear off at the boat - due to the non stretch line and stiff rod.

However, if you are going to hold the trolling rod in your hand - as is the case for many folks - who can only troll in those areas, where only one rod is permitted - then the use of the graphite rod, with a cork handle is certainly a sensible alternative. With the lighter graphite rod - the holding of the rod is not so tiring; also, if you do get a hit - the rod is already in your hand, and you can take appropriate action to insure that the fish stays on the line. This is NOT the case if the rod is in a holder and it takes seconds or longer for a person to get to a rod, and start working the fish.

Take care
REW

[Bobby]

Thanks, guys, this is great advice.

[WAZ]

Just adding my two cents. If you are using boards don't waste your money on graphite. Whats the point? Go with a 8'6" or 9' eagle claw or ugly stick or similar rod no reason to spend more than about 40 bucks.