P & K Trolling Rod Durability

[Dave in Mpls]

I'm curious if any of you folks using the Bass Pro P & K Trolling Rods have experienced any problems with the durability of these rods. I recieved two of them today, along with two P & K Bottom Bouncer rods. The tips on the trolling rods look pretty thin! My concern is further exagerated by the fact that one of the trolling rods is broken, about two inches down from the tip. They are shipping another one out to me today.

Thanks for any comments.

Regards

As an aside, the bottom bouncer rods look to be exactly what I have been looking for - 10 guides, a comfortable reel seat to palm a low profile reel, and a slightly thicker handle.

[Sunshine]

Dave,
I have one of their bottom bouncer rods and love it. Great feel and touch. A real pleasure to use.

Four years ago, my fishing partner and I got into trolling big time. I purchased the Gary Roach trolling Rods for a lot more money and my partner got the P&K. His rods have stood up better than mine and have performed flawlessly. I hate to admit it, but he got the better deal and if a was to do it over I'd go with the P&K's. I plan on ordering one of their deadstick rods asap.

[rd]

I have 6 PK rods. 2 spinning, two BB and two trolling, I would highly recommend them to anyone. They have held up very well.

[Hawk Eye MIke]

Ditto to the above comments. I own six of the rods and they have been very sturdy, despite dropping them on the dock or in the boat. A good value for the money. ANY rod can break if abused, but this is a quality product for the price point.

[FISH 24 7]

Dave:

Timely post from you. I ordered 6 of their 8.5' trolling rods yesterday and look forward to their arrival. I have been fishing 7' Ugly sticks for my planer boards and find that the extra foot and a half is very helpful in fighting and landing big fish.

Glad to see other positive posts and experiences about them from anglers.

Mark Gilbertson
NPAA #556

[Dave in Mpls]

Thanks for the reassurring comments, everyone! I look forward to trying them out.

Mark - Based on all the positive I have heard about them on the board, I'm sure they will work out fine for us. I assume you got the sale price of $39.99/ea.

Regards

[JohnH]

You will be very pleased with the sensitvity of the P&K rods, especially if you use a no strecth line. I got one btmbncr last year, use with no stretch line and you feel the least little tick. I got another when the sale came out, and plan on 2 more before end of the sale. So far my rod has held up as well as any rod costing twice as much (befoe sale price- which is a great deal now!)

I do recommend the weight system - the weights do enhance the balance making them light on the wrists.

[Roscoe]

Does anyone know how long the sale is one for?

[Rich Ramsbacher]

Where is this sale I'd like to get in on it?

[FISH 24 7]

Dave:

Didn't know they were on sale. What's the regular price for those rods? Would it make sense to get a few more while they're on sale?

Drop me a note or respond to this post. Thanks again!

Mark Gilbertson
NPAA #556

[Dave S.]

Dave;

I have two of the telescoping P & K trolling planer board rods from Bass Pro. Has used them for second year pulling planer boards with heavy 2 oz snap weights and they have worked flauglessly. Great rods! Any rod can be damaged in shipping and I know Bass Pro will ship you a replacement rod, no questions asked. Good Choice!

[Dave in Mpls]

Mark and Rich-

Bass Pro has the Walleye Angler Signature Series (P & K) on sale through May 22. The trigger (casting) rods are as follows:

Model Catalog Number Use Price Sale

WA66BBT 33-120-639-00 Bottom Bcr 69.99 49.99
WA70BBT 33-120-642-00 Bottom Bcr 69.99 49.99
WA76T-T 33-120-633-00 Trolling 59.99 39.99
WA80T-T 33-120-634-00 Trolling 59.99 39.99
WA86T-T 33-120-636-00 Trolling 59.99 39.99
WA86DT-T 33-120-638-00 Dead Stick 59.99 39.99

1-800-BASSPRO

If you would like a copy of the ad, e-mail me your fax number and I'll shoot it over to ya

Regards

[Dave in Mpls]

OK, that didn't work out so well....hopefully, you can make sence of it! Basicall, they are $20...

[Dave in Mpls]

I'm gonna get this yet - its been a rough morning!

That should be - Basically, $20 OFF!!

[FISH 24 7]

Dave:

Thanks for your help. Just got them today and can't wait to get them rigged and running. I'm headed back to Port Clinton May 20-27, so I'll get a chance to use them a lot there. Funny thing... one of the tips was busted on my rods when it arrived. Packaging issue though.

According to the math my wife applies to items purchased, that sale just allowed me to get 9 for the price of 6! That's the new math though.

Thanks again for your help.

Mark Gilbertson
NPAA #556

[Dave in Mpls]

No problem, Mark

When BassPro ships those rods, they use a piece of red tape that says "open this end" or something like that. That tape is on the plastic sleeve on the butt section of the rod, secured to the end of the tube and keeps the tip from hitting the other end of the shipping tube. What was wierd with the one rod I received which was broken, is that the tape was in place, and the rod tip had not broken through the sleeve and hit the other end of the tube. The packaging was fine. This leads me to believe that the rod was broken before it was ever shipped to me.

At least I know I'm not the only person that stuff happens to!!

Regards

[Chad]

I ordered 6 rods. Some for friends. Three had abot 1 inch of the tip broken in shipping. Bass Pro shipped me new ones and I got those before I got the return receipts for the broken ones.

Happy with service on the rods.

[FISH 24 7]

Dave:

Are you using the M or ML versions of the rods? DId you get the 8'6" trolling rods? When I was rigging mine tonight, it seemed the M versions that I got were pretty stiff compared to others I have seen used for planer board presentations. Would you suggest the ML for a little more give in the tip?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Mark Gilbertson
NPAA #556

[Dave in Mpls]

Howdy, Mark

My fist experience trolling with these rods is yet to be! I went with the 8 1/2' trolling rods - Model WA86T-T, which is listed as a medium action. They do list the deadstick rod, Model WA86DT-T, as a medium light action. I think the medium action should work just fine, but I'll find out for sure next weekend for WI opener. My gut feeling is that the medium light action would be a bit wimpy, but that isn't based on any firsthand knowledge!

The bottom bouncer rods I got were the 7', model WA70BBT, and they should work well for bouncers up to 1 1/2 - 2 oz. They also seem like they will double nicely for longline trolling cranks.

Regards

[Roscoe]

I bought a couple of the 8 1/2 ' rods this winter and have used them a couple of times on boards this year. They pull boards nicely. I don't think you would want anything lighter. I also longlined with them and they worked well. I was using fireline both for boards and longlining. I was skeptical as I have been partial to using fiberglass rods with fireline, but they worked fine. I will be picking up a couple more before the sale is done.

[FISH]

Thanks for all the insight guys. I'm anxious to get a chance to use them as well.

Have a great weekend.

Mark Gilbertson
NPAA #556