I don't have a lot of experience with downriggers, since I just started to use them this season, but Finegrain hit it-- something limber that will take a deep bend and has the backbone to set the hook on the release. Downrigger fishermen can tell you better than I what works best. I'm currently using two rods, a Berkley 8 1/2 foot steelhead rod in heavy action and a Shakespeare Ugly Stik in medium heavy. Both are good for the purpose, but the Ugly Stik is probably the better. HOWEVER, if you're going to use the rod for both, I would look seriously at the Berkley as it makes a dandy mooching rod. I prefer longer rods for mooching, G. Loomis makes a couple that I really like, but for cost effectiveness, it's hard to beat the Berkley rod.


For the Allstar fans, I picked up a medium heavy 8 1/2 footer recently that might well turn into my go-to rod for mooching. It's a waste to use it on a downrigger, though.