Contrary (i think thats how you spell it) to popular belief Gloomis does make a class of rod for that will work in the downrigger. The GL2's are made of 50% Fibergalss and my 5 1265c's and bc's (The SAR1265BC is what you want, they have the Canadian moocher handle made for the Knuckle buster.)have never had a failure in the 5 years I've owned them. I have never had a problem and I crank em down hard in the riggers. I run up to 7 rods at a time in Rivers inlet and four are usally cranked in the riggers. The Kings there are huge and powerful and Ive never had rod failure even when there getting ripped out of the clips and burried in the drink.

But the rods are 200.00 and the Shimano 1000 and 2000 plus are the moocher reels you want to look at. We call em Cheese Wheels. There about 65 to 70 a piece. Ive tried alot of rods and none equal the 1265 c's and bc's in or out of the riggers. There awesome in Tillamook bay also.