I am looking for a couple of good rods for downrigger fishing in the salt. What do you all suggests?

Which length are you looking for? I would suggest a glass/graphite composite to handle the abuse that downriggers place on rod blanks.

Bait, I don't downrigger fish the salt, but I do a lot on rigger fishing in the Hanford reach and the mid columbia for salmon and steelhead. The last 7 years, I've been using G.LOOMIS STR1265C rods,thier 10'6" mod. action rods rated for 20# line.I've caught 100's of kings on these rods some upto 56#, yet these rods are lite enough that a 6# steelhead or silver are still fun. They come in GL2 and only run $195.00.....try one great rod.

Shimano TDR series rods. $40 bucks a piece, great for downriggers. Why pay almost $200 when you don't need to? These are glass rods which are better suited to the constant stress that is on them while rigger fishing.
God luck and tight lines, Jeff

hey jeffhead

where can you get those shimano rods. I just use my baitcasting rod just dragging herring or 8 in flasher. I've wondered about it and its almost a 400$ pole, and trying to get it uncliped I've worried about breaking it. that would be cool if you said cause I doubt any places around here have them, much thanks, Ben

baitboy,

I have tried several different downrigger rods as well as the guys who fish with me. The best 2 downrigger rods we have found are from St Croix.
When not pulling the big Hot Spot flashers the
GT86M2 8'6" 8-17lb downrigger rod works really well. When we pull the biggest Hot Spots the
GT100H2 10' 15-30lb large planers/divers rod works the best.

RF,
Sportco should have them and the rods that F4F is also talking about. If they don't have them I'm sure they have something that will fit the bill better than using your expensive rod on.
Hey F4F,
Where you gonna be on the B'Mouth opener??? Let's get together again and do the Elliot Bay thing, that was fune last time. I'm fishin' with Seacat and hopefully Dogfish the 23rd or 24th. Shoot me an e mail and we'll hookup!!!
Good luck and tight lines, Jeff

I've got a few of those TDR rods, you can't beat them for the price. They are durable and cost effective.

You should be able to find them at most stores, I know Swain's and R&R Marine, and I think even WalMart carry them out here on the Peninsula, and Ballard Tackle and Outdoor Emporium in Seattle carry them. You might also try Boater's World or West Marine, I think those are closer to you.

-N.

I've got an old fennwick classic glass (before they were classic!) and a penn power stick downrigger. Both about 8'6", and I like them both. The glass rod plays bigger fish and flashers better, the penn rod is great when pulling just a plug,spoon or plug cut solo.

I second that Baddawg! I have 2 Fenwick Classic Glass rods also and love them. Another fine rod for downriggers is the Ugly Stick, it is also inexpensive. Jack

Thanks guys for all the suggestions, I really appeciate the help

BaitBoy,
Was at Outdoor Emporium yesterday and they have the Shimanos for a little less than $40. They also had the Fenwick rods (don't know for sure if they are the classic) for $90. I opted for the Fenwick as it seems like I could use it for mooching as well.
JMS

Go with the shimano, I have broke several down rigger rods and If your paying $200 per rod your losing alot of $$.

I agree, if you are going to fish with dowriggers use a glass rod. If you are dragging around 2-4oz with just cutplug, you can get away with a med. action steelhead (graphite) rod (especially for silvers, lots of fun! ).

I think the glass rods are more forgiving, my ex-fishing partner snapped his Lamiglass trying to free it from the downrigger, tip slid down to the dodger, however we still got the fish!

Kev

Shimanos Canadian style mooching rod 10'6" and put a single action knickle buster on it. You against the fish !!!!!!!! They have enough drag to hold it for the downrigger and add some sportsmanship to it.

For pulling cut plugs in the San Juans I use A Shimano Convergence 10' 8-17lb. For Blackmouth this rod is hard to beat for the price $70.