I have been told that a graphite Lamiglass rod is not ideal for downriggin. I do have Two Daiwa rods that were sold as DR rods. I see some guys use there LAMI 9'6's for their DR rod. How often do you break a graphite rod vs a fiberglass one? And is it just not a good idea to use graphite? Curious what you all think is the way to go when it comes to selecting a better than "good" down riggin rod for Coho and Chinook fishin?

An all graphite rod will begin to have a memory if you use it on a DR, and could fray after using it locked down on a rigger after a while. You could go with a graphite/composite blend that will offer good action and strength that wont develop a memory.

As far as length, I like to use a 10'6" rod because with that length it loads up really nice while on the downrigger, gives you extra play and leverage on the fish, and helps you clear a longer setup out of the water when landing a fish.

The rod shoudl also be built with quality guides and cork that will withstand the rigors of downrigger fishing and general abuse of saltwater fishing.

I buy a new Eagle Claw Ocean series every year for $30. Seems to catch everything from bottom fish To Kings without a hitch. I asked a Coho if he prefered graphite or glass one time...he just laid there.

I have an old fenwick glass rod and a penn downrigger rod that I use for my riggers. Both work fine. I also have a 10'6" diawa that has a knuckle buster reel that I use sometimes for a little extra fun. I have used graphite steelhead rods on occasion but I don't usually like them in the downriggers, alittle stiff and I am always afraid that I will damage them.

g loomis sar 1265 gl2 this rod is 10.5' long and is the ultimate downrigging rod the gl2's are composed of graphite and fiberglass and will not break in the downrigger I seen one on ebay real cheap good luck!!!!

I think using graphite rods on the downrigger is just a waste of money. You don't need the extra sensitivity to detect a strike like in a drift rod and you will break them eventually. I use Ugly stick lites for my downrigger rods.

I use both. I try to match the fishery. When I hope to run into a nice big king or chum, I use a long, cheap, fiberglass rod(ie Shimano DR with Penn GTI320), but when I am targeting smaller coho and blackmouth I like to use a lighter graphite rod(Lamiglass with Calcutta). I just don't get any satisfaction out of pulling in a 5lb coho or blackmouth on a fiberglass rod. You can hardly tell the fish is there. I like to feel the thrashing of a coho.

Hopefully someday I will wear out my Lamiglass....that is what I bought it for.

When I gave up steelheading I put my lamis and loomis rods to good (heavy) use as downrigger rods and have not had any problems with them in the last decade or so.

Look at the Lami Certified Pro fiberglass series

http://www.lamiglas.com/prod_indiv.php?groupid=13

I have two and so far I find them to be very durable on the salt on or off the downrigger. That suggested retail is bogus. If I remember right I picked two up at Outdoor Emporium on a sale for just over $100 each.

Graphite is not a very good choice for DR rods. The graphite is very brittle, which make for a great way to feel what is happening, great for river fishing but not needed for DR fishing. The brittleness of the graphite can cause an rather extreme snap of the rod if it is loaded to much. A composite rod would be a much better choice and provide all the qualities you are looking for in a DR rod.

I use the Triton Downrigger rods. They're indestructible and at $40 bucks or so they can't be beat.

Ugly Stick Tiger Rod BWD 2200 8'0" ML 12-30 lb test. EVA foam handles that hold up well, unlike cork, from being jerked back and forth outta the rod holders. They're only about $60.00 bucks, 5 yr warranty, and will slay up to 41lb URB's like the one I got last Monday. I ordered two more of these this morning before work, cuz I snapped two Lamiglas rods the same day with one of my boy's. One just exploded on the take down, the other I was pulling a 34lb URB away from a Sea Lion. Got the fish, but snapped my rod in half at the net. So I eat $160.00 bucks worth of Lamiglas rods cuz they won't do anything for me due to the rods only having a one year warranty and they're discontinued models. What a bunch of $#!+. Even offered to throw in money to make it right, nope, nothing doing. I'll "Never" own another Lamiglas. Try that Tiger Rod, it's especially made for downrigg'n.

TH Rainshadow DR1264 's work well for me, as do G.Loomis STR1265c's

Like Stlhead said, those Lami XCF series are a sweet and versatile rod. From downriggers, to Kwikfishing, and jigging. We like the XCF864 - alot!

A cheaper option is the Canon PowerTroll series. In store price is about $40 and as cheap as $20 on eBay.

9' fiberglass TDR 1902 @ Sportco. Around $35.00 and works great for the DR. I have used for years and never had one break nor been dissapointed with its action. Buying $100plus dollar rods for the DR is crazy unless you got the money to burn.

DOGOFF

With fishing rods I have almost always found you get what you pay for. I don't use mine exclusively on the DR's either. In fact I only DR fish in the sound not the strait. Buy and break two or three cheap rods and you could have bought a nice life time warranty rod. Took me years to learn that.

I also think the Shimano downrigger rods are great. You can get them for $35, and they have a perfect action for dow******s. I like 8 ft models, others like longer.