Rod for Cranks/Boards

[Heye5]

I'm in need of a little advice. I've decided after reading all the hoopla about line counter reels to invest in a couple Diawa's. I'd like to get the right rods the first time. My mistake racks are about full and the garage salers are getting bushy of my wares! What rod would you trollers suggest for SG27LC reels? I'd like to use them for both pulling cranks and also for boards. Bass Pro has a combo with either 7'6" or 8'6" power plus rod both rated for 10-20# line. Don't want to spend a ton if I don't need to but I've learned it's better to get it right the 1st time. Not much experience with boards, what line do I spool with for both applications.... mono or fire line and What # test? Thanks in advance for the help. Heye5

[REELMAN]

I don't think you can beat for the money the P&K rods from Bass Pro. They work well for the boards or pulling plugs on a long line. I use the 10lb. fire line for most all applications.

[Bottomfeeder]

Let me be the first to vote for the Berkley Gary Roach Trolling rods. 7'10" telescoping rod that fits in any rod locker. Great rod for trolling with inline boards and cranks or harnesses.

[Steve(CO)]

I am in the same market as Heye5. I see the two different models of Power Plus rods in the BPS catalog, but I can't find anything under the name P&K. Where are they listed? Thanks.

[Arrowhead]

I beleive Reelman is talking about the rods that Gary Parsons & Keith Kavajecz help develop. On page 106 master catalog bass pro shops, I have a pair of the 7'6", used for trolling chanks had them for a year, good rods, priced right.

[Islander]

I have 3 of the 8 1/2 footers of the walleye angler series that
Parsons and Kavajecz designed for board fishing and I really like
them. You should probably use fireline if you want to get the
maximum depth out of your crankbaits, I would also recommend the
Precision Trolling book so you can see the dive curves of your
crankbaits, I use regular monofilament on my reels, 10lb test.
I watched Keith Kavjecz and Bruce Deshano on TNN last Saturday,
They were night trolling on Lake Erie, They were using 10lb
XT Trilene, The Precision Trolling book will help you probably
more than anything, Good Fishing Islander

[Dutchman]

I'll have to cast my vote for the BPS P&K 8'6" trolling rods. Had mine for many years and they're great for planer boards and deep cranks....

[REW]

I 2nd the vote for the Gary Roach rods by Berkley.
This year they come in both a 7'10" as well as an 8'6" rod - both of which telescope for storage.
Anothe nice feature of these rods - is that they come back weighted - so you don't have a tip heavy condition, as is often the case for these long rods.

The price is nice also - at aobut $60-65 depending on your supplier.

The following is an exerpt from the Berkley web page:




Gary Roach Signature Lightning Rod®
Designed by Mr. Walleye™ himself




LSC861MT
Casting - One Piece
Length Action Lure Weight Line Application MSRP*
8'6" Medium 3/8-3/4 8-12 Trolling, Plnrboard, Slipbobber $74.95
*Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price


What do you get when you combine the legendary actions of the Lightning Rod with the expertise of Mr. Walleye? An unbelievable family of walleye rods - the Gary Roach Signature Lightning Rod series. This series covers all of Gary's favorite walleye techniques - trolling, crankbaiting, bottom bouncing, slip bobbing, and light & medium jigging. There's even a collapsible telescopic rod that's great for a variety of presentations. Designed with light tips for increased sensitivity to reduce missed pick-ups. For quality, strength, value and all the actions you'll ever need for fishing walleye, there's nothing else like it - the new Gary Roach Signature Lightning Rod.

Back To Signature Rods

[Dan]

Many states allow anglers to use two rods. One important item to remember is to pull all boards with like rods. This will make the task of reading your boards less challenging. By having like rods, the rod-bending factor assists you in determining what is happening. Small fish, weeds etc. can be hard to detect and different rods will bend differently under a load. I’ll pull up to six boards often and I watch the bend of the rods as much as I watch the action of my boards.

[Heye5]

Thanks for the info. I looked at the P&K and Roach rods and see that they are real close price-wise. Knew I could get some good input from WC. Thanks again guys. Heye5

[Steve(CO)]

Heye5:
I didn't connect the P&K with the Parsons & Kavajecz rods. I also have two of the bottom bouncer rods. They are nice. Also, I just received a BPS sale catalog in the mail today and they have the P&K rods for $20 off. That may make the decision for you.

[Heye5]

Thanks Steve(CO) I'll check in to it. I looked at Reeds and believe they have a Berkley promo giving 3 Frenzy baits for a rod purchase also. Don't know if it's buyers choice or not so I'll have to check both out. Sounds like I have two good rods to consider. Good fishin. Heye5

[ozarkeyes]

All the comments are right on about both rods. But would like to offer that I would go with trolling rods which have foam handles. Rod holders will cause damaging wear on cork handles.