[fishyologist]

So Santa supplied me with some nice gift cards and I'd really like to "gear down" a bit for blackmouth. Any thoughts from y'all regarding best rods (brand, length, line class, etc.) for using on a downrigger when fishing for blackmouth? My normal summer sticks are fine, but don't have quite enough flex to keep 'em hooked sometimes.

Thanks!

 

[mayfly]

Shimano Convergence 10'6'' 10-20lb. you can find them for around 65 bucks. Dont let the price fool you, thay are great downrigger rods...

 

[Red Neckersom]

I was using the 10`6, 8-20 Wild River St.Croix's this year and loved them. We had 65 lb Power pro rigged on them and it worked great. Very nice DR rod, lots of flex and the Wild River graphite is very tough, perfect for downrigger fishing.

 

[Riverwalker]

I wouldn't classify this as the best but I've been fishing these sticks for 2 seasons now and I really like them, they are inexpensive 50.00-60.00 a piece and they really load up nice and play the fish well at first I thought they would be to wimpie but they have proven otherwise.

Shimano
Convergence
CVC-L106M-2
Length 10'-6"
Line Wt. 12-20lb
Lure Wt. 3/4-1 1/2 oz
Power Medium
Action Slow

 

[Dr Hook]

I was using the 10`6, 8-20 Wild River St.Croix's this year and loved them. We had 65 lb Power pro rigged on them and it worked great. Very nice DR rod, lots of flex and the Wild River graphite is very tough, perfect for downrigger fishing.

Thats the same rod I use.

 

[GURU]

Shimano Convergence 10'6'' 10-20lb. you can find them for around 65 bucks. Dont let the price fool you, thay are great downrigger rods...

another vote for this rod, I use it for float fishing too, they are light and I can use it all day and not get tired, I loved using it for the Kings out of Lake Sammamish,great bend to them to really set the hook when it releases Tup:

 

[Hunter P]

I wouldn't classify this as the best but I've been fishing these sticks for 2 seasons now and I really like them, they are inexpensive 50.00-60.00 a piece and they really load up nice and play the fish well at first I thought they would be to wimpie but they have proven otherwise.

Shimano
Convergence
CVC-L106M-2
Length 10'-6"
Line Wt. 12-20lb
Lure Wt. 3/4-1 1/2 oz
Power Medium
Action Slow

Same ones I use.

 

[kelson]

Given most of the BMs are going to be on the smallish side (as opposed to fall kings), I tend to gear down expecially since I use 4" and 5" Tomics during the winter. I purchased a couple of older Orvis 9wt fly rods off Ebay and extended the fighting butts to work better in a rod holder. Then I fit them with large salt water fly reels (Islanders are great if you can afford them) loaded with backing and then 100 or so yards of 20# Power Pro. They work well for fall Coho as well.......there is nothing like direct drive and hot fish!

 

[Slabby20]

I wouldn't classify this as the best but I've been fishing these sticks for 2 seasons now and I really like them, they are inexpensive 50.00-60.00 a piece and they really load up nice and play the fish well at first I thought they would be to wimpie but they have proven otherwise.

Shimano
Convergence
CVC-L106M-2
Length 10'-6"
Line Wt. 12-20lb
Lure Wt. 3/4-1 1/2 oz
Power Medium
Action Slow

Ditto on the Shimano Convergence. Great rod and good price. I love their knuckle buster single action reel (Shimano Moocher Plus 2000GT) as well.

 

[BIG GUY]

I wouldn't classify this as the best but I've been fishing these sticks for 2 seasons now and I really like them, they are inexpensive 50.00-60.00 a piece and they really load up nice and play the fish well at first I thought they would be to wimpie but they have proven otherwise.

Shimano
Convergence
CVC-L106M-2
Length 10'-6"
Line Wt. 12-20lb
Lure Wt. 3/4-1 1/2 oz
Power Medium
Action Slow

Ditto on the Shimano Convergence. Great rod and good price. I love their knuckle buster single action reel (Shimano Moocher Plus 2000GT) as well.

Another vote for the shimano Convergance..

 

[CC23]

I also vote for the convergance, great for the price.If you want a shorter rod I love my lamiglass classic glass 802's and they are about the same price

 

[steelyden]

I was using the 10`6, 8-20 Wild River St.Croix's this year and loved them. We had 65 lb Power pro rigged on them and it worked great. Very nice DR rod, lots of flex and the Wild River graphite is very tough, perfect for downrigger fishing.

I saw those at Cabela's today Red, for $130. Is that a good price? They looked like a nice rod.

 

[MYSTICAL LEGENDS]

Hard to go wrong with the St. Croix 10'6 either Avid or Wild River. I like rods rated for 8-20 they are the same ones I use for my float fishing in the fall as well as herring rods for area's like Gray Harbor. Just a good all around rod.

 

[nascarrich]

I have been using Shimano Clarus Rods 9 FT, 10-30 FT LB Line, reels used Penn 209, 321, Ambassadeur BG 7001 HS, Cabela's Depthmaster DMG-20. Line on the reels Maxima Chameleon 30 LB Test & PowerPro 30 LB Red Braid. This gear fits the boat I have and has been affordable.
I use this gear for all the salmon fishing in the Puget Sound Areas and so far have done very well this year and in the past. The biggest fish has been 22 LBS taken last year off of Southworth. I hope to hook something bigger next year up here or down South.

 

[donno]

I use a Cabelas Depthmaster 8'6" or a Diawa Heartland 10'.

 

[SCARBOO]

One vote here for the Classic Glass by Lami.

SCARBOO

 

[Sky-Guy]

Before you buy anything, check out a Rainshadow 1264DR blank. They are the best DR rod for most all types of Puget sound Salmon fishing IMO. The long and slow action loads up on the downrigger really nice, and they are a light enough rod to make playing a fish fun.

 

[jam session]

I think spending a lot of money on a downrigger rod is a waste. You need durability, not light weight and sensitivity. I like Shakespeare Ugly Stick Lite Salmon rods for this...about $80 and practically indestructable. Any of the 8.5 or 9ft casting rods work great, depending on how heavy you want to go. I use a MH rated for 8-20lb line. If you are going to mooch or jig also, then a higher end rod makes sense, but you will eventually break it downrigger fishing.

 

[gljjr]

Another vote for the Shimano Convergence. Great rods and at $69 they are a not going to break the bank too bad. I have an Alvey 525-C52 on mine. Great single action reel that gives you 1-1 cranking and no knuckle busting. wink:

 

[Captainpuget]

Shimano Convergence is a great rod; I’ve used them for years. But I also picked up an Ugly Stick Lite a few months ago and it is rapidly becoming my favourite DR rod. The 8’ or 8.5’ foot rods are easier to handle than the 10’ especially if you ever fish alone. It’s hard to hold a 10’ rod in one hand and get the fish close enough to net with the other.