What rods would you buy?

[walkerman60]

Well I got a new boat and I am going to buy some new rods. I would like to know what rods you would buy. I dont fish all the time so I really dont want to spend a ton. I plan on running In-line boards a lot and some off the big boards. I mostly walleye fish but will try this year for some salmon.

thanks for the help.

[Fins]

Well I always like to buy cheaper rods and bulk up a bit (spending wise) on reels. Seems to me that the reel is more important than the rod. But that is just my opinion

[chamookman]

walkerman60 - Check out Gander Mountains Planer Board rods, nice. Diawas Heartland series rods are decent also (moderately priced). Don't scrimp on reels - I recommend Diawa linecounters, either Sealines or AccuDepths. There are other linecounters out there,but don't waste Your hard earned money. Good luck in Your search - Bob WC#253.

[Nodak7mm]

Congrats on the boat! I took the plunge also and can't wait. But I am rigging mine for primarliy inland fish

Anyhow, what rods to get? depends on what your doing, if your trolling follow Fins advice and look at the Cabelas Depthmasters. If your fishing eyes via jigs, b/bouncers, rigs, spend somemoney on st croixs. If you casting for smallies/northerns/ muskies/etc I don't beleive in getting a cheap rod, but dont want to spend 100$ either. I think a good rod series for that style is the Guide series that Gander Mt & Cabelas put out.. I just picked up two new guide series musky size casting rods on spring clearance at Gander Mt. for 39$ apiece.. My reels are all shimano & abu garcia, I did not skimp.. They last a life time with care.

So Yes, what Chamook & Fins said is very good advice..

nodak

[Swamphound]

I have not checked lately but last year I was in the same situation and ended up finding Cabelas rods with line counters reels for $50 a piece. They had a lot of variety of sizes and applications.(planer board model, dipsey model, downrigger rod) Bought them off their web site and have been very happy with them.

[Gone Fishing]

Shakespear "Ugly Sticks" are usually a good bet for trolling. I use them for everthing from Walley to Muskie. I use the BWD1131 7 footers for Walleye but have also landed Steelhead, Salmon and Muskie on those rods. Good luck! :)

[goggleye57]

ugly sticks rule:)

[CMFish51]

Congrats on the boat! I rigged up for trolling last year and set my boat up with Cabelas Depthmaster Combos. Got them for like 60 bucks a piece....they are pretty nice. We do a lot of drift fishing for walleye, but only switch over to trolling if there is no waves or we need to cover a lot of water. For drifting a have always liked the St. Croix rod, but my brother has a couple G-Loomis rods and boy are they awesome! If you are planning on doing some heavy trolling, buy some decent rods, but put your money in the reels. Diawa are always workhorses...you can put your money on Diawa!

Corey

[baydog2]

I just bought a few of the Rapala rodstwo years ago and they seem just fine for a mid priced rod. I plan on picking up a few more for trolling this year. BAYDOG

[deputy865]

i would say get all the ugly stiks you can find there the best alll around fishng rod.

[The Whale]

Uglys all the way !:D

[tubejig]

I don't use them myself but I think the ugly stick would be a fine rod for the money given your situation. I don't think spending the big money and getting a rod that has a good feel and is very sensitive to the touch, when its going to sit in a holder anyways.

[east bay ed]

if you are going to run in-lines as well as big boards i would look at either the diawa 7'10" telescoping rod or the rapala 7'10". if you are going to be in big walleye water sopend the money and buy either the diawa sg27lca or the 17lca. i would also suggest that if you are going to run bottom bouncers and jigs spend your money on those rods and go with cheaper trolling rods.