Downrigger Rod Favorites

[piscator54]

Hey all,

I'll start with the note that I'm a custom rod builder and am always looking for other's input on rod requirements in addition to my own preferences.

I've been using the kokanee downrigger blanks from Rainshadow this year. I like them for the action. Very nice tip action, light and very limber, with enough backbone in the lower 1/2 to fight a bigger fish or get the line off a pesky release if needed. They are 7 1/2' which is on the short side. I like these rods to be 8 1/2 to 9 1/2, just for better visibility. I'm going to extend my next batch to 8 1/2'. These are 1-piece blanks.

I always spiral wrap my downrigger and most boat rods which keeps the reel upright under load (assuming you are using a casting reel).

I've used fly rod blanks and noodle rods for downrigger applications on light line but many of these are too light in the butt section for me.

Let me know what you like and don't like in kokanee rods!

Piscator54

 

[SuperD]

Let me know what you like and don't like in kokanee rods!

I like super limber rods with long butts or handles. Two piece rods seem to be more practical than one piece. I don't like spiral wrap rods because I'm always getting a hand full of eyes when I go to put the line in the DR clip.

 

[trollmonkey]

Piscator those RDR blanks are awesome,I have two 7.5 (4-10lb) and one 8.5(10-17lb) rods built on RDRs.Also built a 7' E glass to troll, it doesn't have quite the back bone of the RDRs but works great,my daughter-in-law caught the NC state record kokanee on it.I too like the spiral wrap because it keeps the line from rubbing the blank,as limber as most koke rods are it would take a lot of conventionally wrapped guides to keep the line off.The spiral wrap definately can tangle you setting lines but its not too bad.

 

[Fallriverguy]

A Daiwa Spinmatic pretty much has everything I like in a kokanee rod. A 7 foot rod is preferable because I have a smaller boat. Having never fish a spiral wrapped rod I can't comment on likes for dislikes. My preference is for a rod with a marginal strength in the butt section. The yellow Lami is too slow, and that is why I like the Spinmatic. I want a kokanee to feel like a coho on my ultralite gear.

 

[SuperD]

A Daiwa Spinmatic pretty much has everything I like in a kokanee rod. A 7 foot rod is preferable because I have a smaller boat. Having never fish a spiral wrapped rod I can't comment on likes for dislikes. My preference is for a rod with a marginal strength in the butt section. The yellow Lami is too slow, and that is why I like the Spinmatic. I want a kokanee to feel like a coho on my ultralite gear.

Butt pucker of being over matched by the fish is highly desireable! 101goodpost101

 

[trollmonkey]

Butt pucker of being over matched by the fish is highly desireable! 101goodpost101

I'm with you on that Super D It is a lot more fun to have to fight fish of what ever size ,not just winch them in on heavy gear.

 

[BorntoFish01]

my favorite is the custom made rod that my buddy uboat made for me - i'll let him describe it. added bonus is that it features green bay packers' color scheme and logo decal. what can i say....i'm a cheesehead.

 

[black lab]

I am finding it almost impossible to find a rod I like. I like a #7 8 1/2' fly rod with a fighting butt on it for the rod holder. After years of watching my buddy use a fly rod and very light spinning reel with 6 # test for trolling. I tried it for myself and I have to say it is great sport and don't much care for the level wind anymore. Ya, I know it looks Dumb, but it is Fun. Sort of like being a Kid again. Jack

 

[Excaliber]

I don't like spiral wrapped rods. I understand the principle behind it but IMHO they're ugly and I see no need for them.

I like a 7 foot rod for my small boat. The Daiwa spinmatics are awesome rods. They load up perfectly and are super light. We have been using them for two years now and they perform perfectly.

They almost turn a 19" Koke into a decent fighter.

I wish we could figure out how to fish 4 pound but I'm sure the line would break coming out of the clip.

 

[black lab]

They almost turn a 19" Koke into a decent fighter.

I wish we could figure out how to fish 4 pound but I'm sure the line would break coming out of the clip.

I never even thought about that. I use 6# main line and 4# leader for most of my boat fishing. I have never caught a Kokanee yet and downrigger fishing with light tackle is pretty new to me. I thought Koke's would be a hell of a good sport fish on light tackle. tooexcited Jack

 

[jestfishin']

I’m a firm believer in using a rod that’s appropriate for the fish you’re fishing for. There’s little enjoyment (for me, at least) in landing a 15” Koke on a stiff, heavy rod fitted with 10# or 12# line. I’ve never been able to understand why a person would choose to use 18 lb. lead core line coupled with a salt water rod and reel and 6’ of lake troll flashers for a 12” fish. Especially when a good lightweight outfit can be bought for virtually the same price. There are a ton of fishermen that choose that method and I don’t mean to insult them, but I sure would like to understand their mindset. I met a man such as that last year at Lake Koocanusa. The Kokanee at Koocanusa are notoriously small, 10 or 11 inches are the norm. He couldn’t buy a Kokanee and was dying a slow death when my wife and I came in laughing at how easy they were to catch. He didn’t have a downrigger and was held to fish whatever depth his lead core would allow. I invited him to come out with me one evening and give my setup a try. We caught fish immediately and often and it was like an awakening for him. I’m hoping to see him and his wife there again this year and I’ll bet he’ll have a couple of downriggers and lightweight rods on his boat. The concept of matching my gear to the size and species I’m fishing for applies to all my fishing gear. That said, a rod that would be enjoyable to use for the smaller Kokanee at Lake Koocanusa wouldn’t be my first choice to use for the Kokanee at Flaming Gorge.

 

[SuperD]

That said, a rod that would be enjoyable to use for the smaller Kokanee at Lake Koocanusa wouldn’t be my first choice to use for the Kokanee at Flaming Gorge.

It is the same rod but the enjoyment is just much greater. Just a change in drag set is required.

 

[Bduck]

I don't like spiral wrapped rods. I understand the principle behind it but IMHO they're ugly and I see no need for them.

I like a 7 foot rod for my small boat. The Daiwa spinmatics are awesome rods. They load up perfectly and are super light. We have been using them for two years now and they perform perfectly.

They almost turn a 19" Koke into a decent fighter.

I wish we could figure out how to fish 4 pound but I'm sure the line would break coming out of the clip.

To each his own. I have 2 of Vances Spiral wrap rods & I wouldn't trade them for anything. Also have 2 JJ Red Koke rods and same goes with them. I have a couple of stiffer trolling rods, great for some big laker action, that are spiral wrap. They work great too. I like the options for lite action kokanee fishing. Since my spiral wraps are 'ugly', I've been catching some beautiful kokes.

 

[piscator54]

Spiral or Not: Either is okay

Thanks for all the great replies. Looks like about 50/50 on the spiral wraps. Some folks don't like them because they look "different" but I do like them for downrigger fishing. It is a little less critical for kokanee fishing as you have a lighter fish on the end. Salmon or big laker fishing would be more applicable but it has it's place. I encourage spiral wraps on boat trolling rods but will build them however my customers like them of course.

Blanks are a personal preference as well but definitely land on the light side. The 4-8 lb line Rainshadow RDR blanks are really nice this way. I'll let y'all know what happens when I extend the next batch to 8 1/2'. I'll experiment with a couple of 9 1/2' steelhead noodle blanks, rated 4-10 lb line.

Tight lines everyone and happy koke hunting!

Piscator54

 

[3RivrFishr]

I've built two on the RDR76L with micro guides. You wont be disapointed.

 

[SilverBullets]

Another vote for the spiral wrap! I fish with the Vance's rod and wouldn't hesitate on getting another. For downrigger fishing they work great...no complaints here.thumbsup

 

[piscator54]

Yup. Personally, I'm in the spiral wrap camp for boat rods, especially downriggers. I'll be dusting off all my buoy 10 gear in a couple weeks. All are spiral wrapped.

I do like the RDR 76 for kokanee. I am going to extend the next one about a foot though. It is a great blank for kokanee fishing and since the rods travel in the boat, I'm fine with the one-piece.

Piscator54

 

[Gene]

2 cents

Bought a JJ red rod by Lamiglas, used it once on one down rigger, loved it so much bought another for the other down rigger, teamed up with two Tica Camien reels awsome ! I like the poles limber characteristics, and only having a 15 foot boat the 7 foot model works perfect. bows great on downrigger , with no worry about a snap. hope this helps

Gene

 

[piscator54]

Hey guys,

Gene's right. These are all the things we look for. The lamiglas rods are nice sticks and I use their blanks often.

Should any of you be interested in a custom downrigger rod, please contact me by email or private message.

Thanks again.

Piscator54