best rod for downrigging/mooching

I don't own them but the TFO mooching rods I've used on a buddies boat have been great.

I have a set of medium heavy convergence rods that seem to be unbreakable and I've also had good luck with hmx rods.

The pair of Titans Trophy xls or whatever they're called have a nice feel when they're not randomly snapping in half.

I think I would by a set of the TFOs next time around but I haven't found a lower mainland dealer as of yet.
i broke a few of the trophy titans graphite rods before getting Harbour chandler to just replace it with a trophy xl fibreglass , might just go back to trihoy xl’s in 9’ cor maybe see if i can dig up a couple of the rapala classic moochers like the one Derby lent me ..
 
At the lodge I work at there are sages and techniums, and honestly i prefer the shimano techniums. I have had to replace so many guides on the sages I eventually just gave up. Price is obviously not a factor there because we have both in stock and I dont pay for them. The sages are probably a little more sensitive but tbh its been so long since I used them that I cant say for sure.

When I bought new rods for personal use I bought techniums with the thicker guides and they have been awesome.

Ive also snapped a convergence or two when popping off the clip
 
You Know what i love about this forum ?? I like digging up the oldies .. whats everybodies favorite choice for downrigger rods these day , after slipping in the boat this summer and deepsixin one of my okuma rods Derby lent me a Rapala classic moocher and i really enjoyed fishing it and i liked the larger cork handles.. i want to know everyones favorite rods for trolling.
I am using 3 older Fenwick HMX rods (more than 10 years old). One is an 11 foot trigger, the other 2 are 10'6" and all have been good, never a break like some have had issues with. These rods have been used lots and have held up well, only have had to replace the rod tip tops and maybe a guide or two.
I also have a 10 year old Trophy Titan 4110 (Power 4 11'0"). When I first got the rod I had the upper section break (accident). This was replaced under warranty and haven't had another issue since. I use this rod every day I salmon fish and it is my favorite.
I have used friends Techniums and agree that they are solid rods, also Shimano Convergence rods (mine are o.k. but are a little on the heavy side). These rods are spares hanging on the wall now. I also have some older fibreglass rods Fenwick 1263 (yellow) and 1264 and Shimano Samurai green which still work fine but are only occasionally used.
...Rob
 
my other problem is i like 9’ rods for fishing solo makes it easier to net fish. i have fished my buddies sage rod and it was exceptional no doubts but i would like to set the price a little lower then 800$ ,
 
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my other problem is i like 9’ rods for fishing solo makes it easier to net fish. i have fished my buddies sage rod and it was exceptional no doubts but i would like to set the price a little lower then 800$ ,
Is that what they cost?!
 
Does anyone fish islander rods?everyone loves the reel, but at $565 seems to be expensive but not as much as the Sage! I use Shimano techniums because advthxance is my go to fishing Guru and I haven’t been disappointed! $200 price point feels right too.
 
my other problem is i like 9’ rods for fishing solo makes it easier to net fish. i have fished my buddies sage rod and it was exceptional no doubts but i would like to set the price a little lower then 800$ ,
A forum member has a pair of Sage rods for sale - this looks like a good deal. Mind you, I bought a centerpin rod of that breed by Brian Babcock for $750.

 
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wow talk about bringing back the dead....lol

well having used a fair number of rods i really liked the first Amundson moocher with the salmon print on the handles
still have a few that i still use but the newer model is absolutely awesome the guides are a little funky but the bank action is tops ...
as with most things unless you go full custom salt time..... takes its toll on most gear.......
another rod of the Amundson brand that gets over looked is the 11-6 pin rod really nice action for our straight water's......

but use what works for you whether it be 6' or 15' or Grand dad's old cane thing ...... enjoy being on the water
 
wow talk about bringing back the dead....lol

well having used a fair number of rods i really liked the first Amundson moocher with the salmon print on the handles
still have a few that i still use but the newer model is absolutely awesome the guides are a little funky but the bank action is tops ...
as with most things unless you go full custom salt time..... takes its toll on most gear.......
another rod of the Amundson brand that gets over looked is the 11-6 pin rod really nice action for our straight water's......

but use what works for you whether it be 6' or 15' or Grand dad's old cane thing ...... enjoy being on the water
haha i was laughing because i did a google search for mooching /downrigger rods and this thread popped up so i commented on it , only then did i realize it was from 2012.... alot of the old salts commenting are still kicking round the forum too , wish Sculpin would make a return , miss his content on here.
 
I bought a Lamiglas 1316 "Kenai Killer" for a trip down to the Chetco River (Brookings, OR, USA) for the 2015 Chetco salmon derby, the derby winner is usually around 50#. went with a guide, we mooched dropper weights on a slider with cut-plug herring. I got nothing above 16#, was way over-gunned, the fish barely bent the extra-heavy rod. I traded the rod for a more reasonable Lamiglas 1326 (12-25lb, 1/2 to 1 3/4 oz lure). I fish around Point Defiance in South Puget Sound, average fish is now around 11-12#. Have not taken a tyee locally in about 6 years! Last year I restored a Peetz 6" line-counter reel, put it on a vintage Montague Dreadnaught rod, planned to use it for the Moutcha Bay Kayak derby in August but the border closure nixed that idea!! Love the sound that clicker makes, you can hear it a long way off!!
If Covid permits, will be at the 2021 Derby and using that rod/reel. There a plenty of 20-25# Springs coming up the Conuma River in August.
The rod is OK for trolling a wee Lucky Louie or a 5 inch spoon in my Hobie kayak, but for jigging, something else is needed---my Okuma Cedros jigging rod with the Accurate Boss 400 will do, methinks! Can never have too much gear!!
Speaking of gear----I've never fished Moutcha Bay, would 4-inch plugs be the go-to lure, or would you use anchovies in a holder???
 
techniums, they work and are not ridiculous price.

all the talk of snapping rods. it is from the constant bob izumi hook set to release the clip. i show guests, and have done this for a while for now for releasing clip off the rigger
lower the tip and point towards the cannonball, reel until you feel the clip release. no more snapped fatigued rods.
give it a try.
 
techniums, they work and are not ridiculous price.

all the talk of snapping rods. it is from the constant bob izumi hook set to release the clip. i show guests, and have done this for a while for now for releasing clip off the rigger
lower the tip and point towards the cannonball, reel until you feel the clip release. no more snapped fatigued rods.
give it a try.
I have fished with a Sage 4110 factory built rod for years. although they are pricey I think they are one of the best mooching / downrigging rod out there.
not afraid of any size salmon on this rod.
 
I have fished with a Sage 4110 factory built rod for years. although they are pricey I think they are one of the best mooching / downrigging rod out there.
not afraid of any size salmon on this rod.
its the extra tight new clips and yanking it off the rigger constantly that kills them.
that sage is NICE!!
 
Trophy XL for the past 12-15 years, played 30lb fish up to 100lb seals, testing out the engineering..
yup might just be the winner in the 9’ fibreglass category for me , with a 100$ pricetag and being a tried and true old standby , always liked em and ran them religiously with my MR3’s pre-TR3 days , also i could keep my total under 1000$ in case i deepsix another one.
 
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