nordic
you have several good choices for a rigger rod. If you want a good one go with aither the certified pro from lamiglass or a Fenwick DR-90. I would personally reccomend the Dr-90, It is a 9' E glass ros biult with fuji guides and hypavalon (foam) handle and retails for $99.99. It is probably one of the best rods Iv'e seen. I have sold hundreds of them and the only defect's Ive seen has been broken guides. You should stick with the foam handles because the cork ones will break down from the coninual heavy pressure against the rod holder. If you want to keep it a little on the economy side look at one of the new Shimano Talora downrigger rods, These are a composit glass-Graphite rod. A 8'-9.5' model retails for $69.99. They are also built with Fuji componants and have a foam reel seat, they tend to feel a little stiffer but are very suprising for the cost. On the really chaep crap scale you can use a Shimano TDR or a Diawa heartland. Both go for $ 39.99 but have a high falure rate. I know this will raise a few hackles but stay away from any all graphite rods. Most graphite rods just cannot stand up to the continued pressure and worse of all trying to trip the relaease to check your bait. The loomis SAR1265c of STR1265c are the only two that I have seen that seem to hold up but I am sceptic even of them. I hope this helps.