What's a good downrigger rod and reel?

After 15 years of hard use my old fiberglass rod and Penn 109 reel are about irrepairable and ready to be replaced. Since it's been quite a few years since I have had to look for new gaer, does anyone have a good recomendation?

I like the Penn 109 because you can click the clicker over and the spool works in both directions which is convenient for letting line up and down for mooching without clicking back and forth all the time. The Penn 109 made it easy to use my thumb for the drag too. I don't know if any other reel has that feature.

Price is a consideration but not the only one. I want to be able to fish from the downriggers and I also do some mooching and jigging. All in saltwater although I hear the same setup can also be used for sturgen, which I would like to try.

I know there is a lot of experience here on the board so any suggestions are appreciated.

I've had good luck with the Shimano Triton set up. Get a light or medium with the Triton reel. Can't go wrong.

I've been usuing Shimano's TDR rods, they come in 6 styles from 7 9,6" long. These rods are durable and good priced $27-$38 With the pounding a downrigger rod takes, I don't see spending alot of cash for a big name when these work well for me. As for a reel I use Shimano's Charter special (I think I pay about $100 to $125 ) or the TR 200 ($65 to $80 ). I hope this helps, Good luck!!!

Any quality fiberglass rod would probably do the trick for you. Personally, I like to use the lightest ones possible. I usually don't drag around a full size hotspot, and it lets the fish fight a little harder. I don't think they make the 109 any more. Too bad, I love the two I have. Both are left-hand retrieve which is tough to find with the bigger Penn's and the Shimano saltwater reels.

Give me Shimano,or give me death!

Dear Woodinville Bill, Being an old moocher and a die hard direct drive man (hence my handle 5000D)I'll offer up some suggestions; As of last Summer, Penn quit making the 109. I think they still make the 10s? I still have several 109's w/ both steel and aluminum spools. The former are sprung. I simply have changed out parts to have a functional one for my new downrigger. John's in Everett can still rebuild yours if you want to keep it. They have stood the test of time. I would suggest a Shimano Bantam 50 converted to the direct drive option. John Jr. of Johns Sporting Goods of Everett sells these reels for about a $100 and will do the conversion. I have two, one of which I took to Knights Inlet, B.C in 1994 where I caught a 54# and 52# back to back mooching Blatts Bluff. I had these fish on for 1:45 minutes (combined time) in a direct drive mode mooching. I was using Siglon 15# test. The Shimano Bantam 50 did the job. I still use it mooching and now w/my new downrigger. It's been eight years of hard use for both these reels and they haven't been back into John's for a single repair. Now as for my two 5000D's, well that's a different story. Good luck in your hunt for a reel. I can't offer up anything regarding a good rod. I have 'em all but prefer my old G-Loomis and new Lamniglass 9'6" 's.