Downrigger Rod????

[Wooly]

Hey folks,

So last year friends and family broke off and lost more tyees then I would have ever imagined. Partly my fault as I expect ppl that have never ocean fished before to be able to fight and land a chinook using a Islander or single action. Not the case. I got some pretty awesome stories about friends trying to reel in a 40 pound chinook when he is trying to go the opposite direction with only 25 lb test. So this year I'm bringing out the level winds and throwing some 40 lb test on them, I will use them when I have rookies on the boat. I need a good downrigger rod to go with the reels? any advice or recommendations would be awesome. I don't wan't to spend an arm and a leg as I already have 5 Mr3/loomis combos which is already a little overboard, but since I'm a gear junky I feel that it is perfectly normal. Maybe 150 tops for price hope to spend 100 a piece if I can get away with it. I want a rod that will do well with chinook but will also be some what fun with coho.

Thanks ppl appreciate it,

Wooly

 

[Rockfish]

For rods for beginner I have gone with the cheapest rigger rod I could find. Which turned out to be basic glass and strong. Got a bunch of them from the big outdoor fishing super store in Nanaimo and I think they were around $16. each. I don’t care what they do with them, I consider them disposable. They can yank on them the wrong way as hard as they want when they are releasing from the rigger, drop them on the floor and step on them when looking at the fish in the net, rip the end cap off when the pull them out of the rigger tube holders and it falls down the holder into the water, rip up the dense foam, (no expensive cork to damage), even drop them overboard, I don’t care, no stress for me and no temptation to make a comment I should not with friends and family who don’t fish much or are struggling or even look disappointed when they damage the cheap gear, but I don’t let them near the Sage or Loomis rods. Its not about being cheap it’s about keeping my heart rhythm normal and the family happy.

 

[TheHurtLocker]

shimano convergence rods. best bang for your buck with a great warranty. 80ish dollars.

 

[Hookin'up]

convergences or techniums all the way, lifetime wty on them as well
well the techniums anyway not sure about the convergences

 

[Rockfish]

Found a new one in the closet

They are labeled Wilderness 9-MH Downrigger Rod by Daiwa (DR902MHR) for $16.99 at Wholesale Sports in Nanaimo with a one year warranty. 9 foot.

These rods are not going to explode like a composite if they get a minor surface cut across the fibers. Looks like they designed them for hard use on a rigger.

The tag says

Resilient Fiberglass Blank
Cut proof Aluminum Oxide guides
High Density Duracork Grips
Stainless hooded Reel Seat.

 

[Olde School]

Rockfish, I agree. We use the same rods with level winds for our newbs, keep the Techniums with Peetz for ourselves.

 

[trophywife]

newbs gota learn. nuckle busters or nothin.

 

[tykkyt e blue]

Try this one - Recommended by the Tackle Mgr at Englunds Marine in Astoria Oregon - when I asked for a cheap casting rod for Albacore.

Turns out it is stoopid strong but decent feel. I even caught YFT in Baja on it - don't know why they call it 'lite' unless that refers to the graphite in it??

http://www.uglystik.com/Ugly-Stik®-Lite-Salmon/Steelhead-Rod/1292098,default,pd.html#start=14

 

[GLG]

They are labeled Wilderness 9-MH Downrigger Rod by Daiwa (DR902MHR) for $16.99 at Wholesale Sports in Nanaimo with a one year warranty. 9 foot.

X2 these are decent rods for the buck and you sure don't mind having someone busting one if it happens.
Should get 2 or 3 years out of them.

 

[Rockfish]

X2 these are decent rods for the buck and you sure don't mind having someone busting one if it happens.
Should get 2 or 3 years out of them.

Have already got 3 years out of them and they are still going strong. I would not be surprised to get many more years or decades out of them for beginner/other use if we babied them like we do or should the high end delicate composite rods. If someone slams the tip in the car door you won’t need therapy.

 

[mikep]

what about stepping up to a couple islander anti reverse mr2's? You can still use your loomis rods and by the time you buy 2 nice levelwind or lever drag reels plus rods you will be pretty close to the cost of the islander. I used them a few times guiding and all you need your guest to do is reel.....