I'm going to spin up a couple new DR rods for our summer trip to Barkley sound.

I'm using a Rainshadow DR1264 in the sound,but don't know if the 1264 will be heavy enough for the Kings I may encounter up north.

I've got a feeling that if I hook up with a real pig,I'll get my ass handed to me.

The 1264 is rated 10-20. Would you go to a 1265 (10-25) or even heavier with a 1266 (12-30)?

I guess that depends on who will be using the equipment, and how much fun one wants to have.

I honestly can't ever see getting my ass handed to me by 'nook out on the salt or big blue using a DR1264. I'm the same guy that also can't see my ever getting spooled by a steelhead on a river using a 200 series Curado, either. Just isn't going to happen to me.

Salmonids just don't fight that hard (in general) - not compared to other salt water fishes.

But, if the people using the equipment just want to get the fish in, and get the fish in fast, bump up to a heavier rod.

Go with the 1266 and don't look back!! I have the mooching 1266, and love it!!!

BP1024 8'6" has plenty of Harvest potential and is what I use! I'm spinning up a few RDR96MH 9'6" as well for this year. The new Down Rigger series has a more moderate slow action in case you are wondering the difference. Works better for me using Braid.

I've about had my ass handed to me by springers with my 12-25 rated rods. It is sometimes difficult to bring 30lb class fish to the boat, Hans solo.

No one rod is the be it, end all solution. I'd suggest you go with a heavier rated rod as ocean conditiond have turned more favorable for chinook.

I disagree to a point parker. Those salt-water chinook can definitely rip when they want to... especially open-water migratory fish. No, they're not tuna or billfish... but they ain't walleye either.

That said... Sunday, you're gonna be in a boat. One of the beauties of catchin' big salmon in a boat is that you can follow them around if you need to.

The 1264 should be plenty of rod for your needs. It'll also let you enjoy the fight of any coho you may catch too.

I fish an old Daiwa Heartland 10'6" 10/20 lb and an Ambassaduer 6500 loaded with 20# mono on my downrigger. Plenty of backbone and its' brought Chinook to 30 lbs to the boat. If I was to change, I'd probably look at the same length but rated 12/15.

My wife uses a Rainshadow DR1147 built by some guy named Batson in 2002 that is really nice, too. It's taken fish into the upper 20s.

get the new Rainshadow RDR96MH

Too short.

thats what she said....