Salmon Trolling Rod Length

[Captain PartyMarty]

Hi Guy's,

I am thinking of getting into a pair of new rods, I was at the store yesterday and tried the Shimano Convergence 10.6ft rod as I have heard it mentioned here often. The first thing that struck me is holy cow this thing is long, as I current only have rods in the 8ft range. When tolling what is specific advantage of using such a long rod? My feeling would be that it's a pain when trying to net a fish, especially if you doing it solo with a 6ft leader. So why use this long rod?

Capt

 

[scott craven]

It's really all about your own comfort level.
I use 10.5' rods as the longer the rod, the better the bend.
Acts like a shock absorber on big fish.
A friend of mine uses 9' rod with a level wind reel, and thats his preference.

 

[Captain PartyMarty]

There must be more of reason than just personal preferance. I bet most of the guy's who chime in here will say they use 10.5ft

One advantage I can think of is that the length allows a larger bend as mentioned above which makes it easier to keep pressure on the fish. You have more time to react to the fish changing direction. Does that make sense?

 

[Pippen]

It looks WAY cooler with a long rod bent over bouncing away.

 

[baddogg]

I like the 8.5 to 9 foot range myself, for the reasons first stated. Way easier to net your fish. I started years ago in a 14 foot boat and still have the same rods now despite fishing from a 26 footer. Easier to net for me in either of those boats.

 

[CVmike]

I never go shorter than a 10 foot rod. Like others have mentioned, with a longer more noodly rod its easier to maintain the constant pressure you need to keep those single barbless hooks where they belong..

 

[lordofthesprings]

if you have long rods in a small boat makes for hard storage and hard to land fish

 

[ReelSlim]

I have made the progression over the years starting out with 8'6 to 9' and now finally to 10'6 rods for the last 5 years or so. It takes a bit of getting use to but well worth it for the feel IMO. I fish alone at least 50% of the time and don't find it bad to net fish alone with up to a 7' leader. There has only been a few mishaps but that is the beauty of fishing alone.....No witness! lol I actually pulled out my Lamiglass 9 footers that I use as my backup rods when trolling Hali's one day last summer. They definitely felt like a club after using the longer rods for so long. They were officially demoted to the aluminum rig and I bought 10'6 rods as my back ups now. So the long and short of it IMO is 10'6 rods all the way.......

 

[Degree of Freedom]

just switched from 10-1/2 to 9...bought some very nice 9' Trophy's that still seem to provide a soft action. The reasons for switching...small deck space = awkward hooking up to downrigger clips, tough storage etc.
I've been using 10-1/2 since I was 10 years old, so will take some getting used to, but I think the quality of these rods will help ease the pain.

 

[Cuba Libre]

Used 10-10 1/2 for years. Got sucked into buying "brand rods" but now realize that just cus its expensive, it doesn't mean its worth the extra money. So now I only use Trophy 9fters. Inexpensive , less likelyhood of hi-sticking and breaking . And makes a real difference when I am landing a fish by myself

 

[trophywife]

9'6 and shimano for customers and when by myself 10'6" and islanders for me and with dad and other buds that are experienced.. Drag adjustments when fighting fish bring the diff.

 

[JAC]

10' 6" rapala classic med light!!

 

[NautiGirl]

9.5 fibreglass lighter rods for pinks and coho and December to Feb chinook, 10.5 for summer chinooks

 

[Peahead]

Hey Martin,

I have done lots of solo and now use the 10'6 Shimano Convergence and like them enough. They probably won't last like a better rod but so far they aren't bad at all. Couldn't pass on the deal I got on 4 . Perhaps a bit tougher around the boat netting a fish solo with a 6'-7' leader but the rod has lots of backbone and yet feels quite light wich I like. With the bigger boat now the 10'6 is a great match. I used to use 8.5- 9' downrigger rods on my 17' DE and that was ok but when ever I've pulled those rods out on my new boat it feels terrible, very hard going back to them - just feel they are too short and stiff to get a good feel as well as working the gear around the boat and the pod is tougher with a shorter stick.

 

[Captain PartyMarty]

I think I might jump on a 10'6 Convergence and give it a try what action do you all recommend H MH M?

 

[Fish Assassin]

I use mediums and love them.... Make sure you buy the old ones the new ones break way to easy. May have to look around for the old ones but lots of stores still have them. The old ones are brown and the new ones are almost black.

 

[Seafever]

I just use Shimano 9ft TDR's.......been using the same rods for 13 years. Had some eyes replaced on them though. Pros:- has enough stiffness to counter line blowback when I'm fishing deep which is just about always, "sets" pretty good on hits, not too spongy and wimpy. Cons:- tips could possibly be a little TOO stiff now and again.......usually not but every once in awhile I'd like a bit more "forgiveness' in the tip for playing fish. I suppose I should upgrade to next level....not sure what to get though.

 

[outback]

im all in for 9 footers. found 10 ft+ annoying to net.

 

[Dogbreath]

The longer the rod the more the dancing/twisting fight of a Salmon is tranlates to the angler and remember the longer the rod the more pull he has on you.

I've fought Salmon on rods from 6'8" (sucked) to 12' (also sucked but for different reasons).

Now I'm settled on 9' Lamiglas fibreglas sticks but am always looking for something new-have a couple beauty old 10'6" Shimano & Loomis moochers that are rarely used they're just too damned clumsy.

 

[Fish Rider]

I hear they are more sensitive when on the downrigger? ex when fishing for salmon and u land a rock fish easier to notice, instead of dragging it for awhile with shorter rods.