Need a rod for trolling

[Coreyhkh]

Hey guys I was doing some reading today and found out you should not be trolling with graphite rods so I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations.

right now I am looking at the Ugly Stik rods they seem to be pretty good for the price.

 

[Joel52]

What's the reasoning the article gives for using graphite - curious? I gave up on the Ugly Stick eons ago. I've been using a BP Bionic Blade for the past couple of years now - it's a graphite and I highly recommend it. Berkley makes a decent graphite.

 

[diggyj]

Glass rods are better for trolling for a few reasons:

First of all the price, glass are way cheaper than graphite rods.

Secondly there is no difference in sensitivity when you place your rod in a rod holder. We all know that graphite is much more sensitive then glass but not a factor in trolling. Glass is heavier then graphite so this is also not a factor unless you are holding the rod in your hand for prolonged periods of trolling.

Thirdly, glass is muce more durable and flexes more when you get a strike making them last much longer during the constant stresses of trolling where as graphite rods will not hold up to the constant strain produced by trolling.

IMHO buy a glass rod, either a Shakespeare Ugly Stik or a Shimano Compre.

Dirk

 

[Coreyhkh]

Also because graphite rods are not supposed to be bent for long periods of time I guess it shortens there life span.

 

[reefrunner]

Fibreglass rods for trolling, they can handle more abuse than graphite. Look for a rod that has good backbone but a soft tip, many good brands out there: Okuma Classic Pro, Shimano TDR

 

[Joel52]

Thanks, learn something new everyday. We don't usually troll with downriggers - mostly shore hugging in shallow water with light tackle, so the stress on the rod is minimal.