Hey Grandpa,

I'm not sure if I'll make your "people I'll listen to" list or not, but I'm a pretty big fan of the Loomis STR1086c myself. I use the ones that I have mainly for chinook, and have used them regularly on a downrigger. Pretty hard to go wrong with that rod! smile

Rapala is making a 9' 12-25# rod that I saw at the March Sportsman's show. It was at the Sportco booth, and I asked Bill Herzog what he thought of it, and he gave it the thumbs up! I think the price was around $60.
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A day late and a dollar short...