Im sure that Salmontackler will have no problem helping you out with selecting a good downrigger rod.

I havent done alot of mooching and very little downrigger fishing but from my short experience I will tell you that the best mooching rods on the market are SAR 1265 GL2's. They are a 10 1/2 10-40# rod and have no problem handling 8 ounces of lead. A freind of mine has landed halibut in upwards up 50 or 60 pounds with these rods as well as 60 pound kings. They are also a tough as nails rod as I watched the abuse these rods take and more then a few times I have wondered why that rod didnt just snap in half. They do load up better with atleast 5 or 6 ounces of lead and its much easier to pick up a light bite with the rod tip loaded up under the pressure of the lead working. Plus, being that these rods are 10 1/2 feet and take the abuse so well, I wouldnt worry about running them off a downrigger although I would still be careful. They retail for $211.

Another rod to consider is the STR 1265 which is the little brother of the SAR 1265. The STR 1265 is a 10-20 10 1/2 footer instead of a 10-40. They are excellent jigging rods and tend to give our coho and pinks and small blackmouth more play then the bigger SAR but they dont handle the lead as well as the SAR does. The STR runs for $201.

They are pricey but they are WELL worth it.

[ 08-30-2001: Message edited by: RPetzold ]