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Trolling, Dipsey, or Planer Board rod?


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I figured I'd ask here because there are quite a few guys who troll the big lake.

I am looking for a rod that has a slow action that evenly increases resistance with a steady load. It should be able to handle a decent sized fish.

I fished a charter last year and liked some of the actions of the rods. I just can't remeber which one had that steadily increasing pressure...

I intend on using it for cats with circle hooks.

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There are lots of brands. But the best ones are the Shimano Taloras. Around $70 for lifetime over the counter warranty and are extremely flexible and have a good backbone. A grade or two down you might want to check out a Shimano TDR, an Ugly stick, or Diawa Heartland rod.

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Shimano TDR, Diawa Heartland rod like Joel mentioned are pretty popular Great lake rods and hard to beet for the money. Diawa Great Lake System rods are nice.

Mastercraft rods get the job done too.

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Thanks guys,

What I really want to know is what kind of action does each of these types of rods have.

The type of action the planer board rod has as opposed to the dipsey rod, or what makes a planer board rod a planer board rod, etc..

Then which one has best kind of action I am looking for. Slow steadily increasing action.

I know I ought to just go and look at some, but I got Cable's bucks to spend and not much time to go shopping. grin.gif

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Dennis, I think what your looking for is a downrigger rod. Soft tip with good backbone.

Actions for those are usually medium/light or medium. With the length of 8'.5 being the most common. Line weight on downrigger rods are 12-20 lb.

Dipsy rods have a heavy/medium and heavy/slow actions and their lengths are generally 9'.5-10'.5. I'm not sure if you'd like the the tip for circle hooks. Line weights are 12-30 lb.

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Dennis your going to have to go look at and feel some rods for yourself. We could give ya 50 rods to try but from what you discribe I dont think any of the trolling rods would be your best option. Maybe a downrigger rod like ST says. I think a board rod would be too light and a dypsie rod would be too heavy. Neither have a slow action like I think you want. Try the Cabelas Depthmasters if you have some Cabelas bucks to spend.

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I'll second ST info. Although I like 8' downrigger rods and 8.5'-9.5' dipsy rods. Lots of guys are starting to use the new 7' one piece Shimano talora rods for riggers now too. the Talora is a very forgiving rod.

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If you are looking for a cat rod, I assume MH+?

Look at a Talora, TDR and Ugly stick would be a good choice.

A downrigger rod has a full soft bend.

A board will have a fast tip with a stiffer backbone.

A Dipsey Rod will have a BIG backbone with a med tip.

Depends on whet size cats and where your fishing. i.e.(logs and jams)

B2

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Big fan of the Heartland rod myself Dennis. I have to and think they'd serve you well.

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