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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Fishing Forum Trolling rod |
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02/14/2021 10:53PM
I’m looking to get a dedicated canoe country trolling rod. I see that St. Croix makes a two piece, 10’ long. Anyone use a rig that long out of a canoe?? I see both benefits and detriments.
Any suggestions on rods? I like two-piece rods for canoe country.
Any suggestions on rods? I like two-piece rods for canoe country.
02/15/2021 07:54AM
A 10’ rod is a really long rod to use in the BWCA. I’ve used 6-1/2' rods with absolutely no problems when trolling for fish. I think those 10’ rods are made for bigger boats. I have brought 9’ fly rods and they are like bring a pole vaulting pole. You bring what you want, but I would suggest a smaller size.
"So many lakes, so little time." WWJD
02/15/2021 01:47PM
If you buy a St. Croix rod to use primarily for trolling, you are throwing your money away.
Trolling rods are a good place to save a few bucks. If you're running a big line counter reel and trolling for lake trout I recommend a Shimano TDR or Daiwa Wilderness series. I run this model of the TDR. 8 ft, 2-piece, medium power, can read the crank bait action in the tip -- $23. A lot of folks would consider these overkill for the BWCA as well.
Honestly you don't need a dedicated trolling rod at all for BWCA trips. Bring two rods that will cover your entire range of use. For me that's one ML spinning rod in the 6.5-7 foot range (bobbers, walleye jigging, casting lightweight lures), and one M to MH casting rod in the 7-8 foot range (trolling, jigging lake trout, and casting heavier lures like spoons and big bucktails).
Trolling rods are a good place to save a few bucks. If you're running a big line counter reel and trolling for lake trout I recommend a Shimano TDR or Daiwa Wilderness series. I run this model of the TDR. 8 ft, 2-piece, medium power, can read the crank bait action in the tip -- $23. A lot of folks would consider these overkill for the BWCA as well.
Honestly you don't need a dedicated trolling rod at all for BWCA trips. Bring two rods that will cover your entire range of use. For me that's one ML spinning rod in the 6.5-7 foot range (bobbers, walleye jigging, casting lightweight lures), and one M to MH casting rod in the 7-8 foot range (trolling, jigging lake trout, and casting heavier lures like spoons and big bucktails).
02/15/2021 04:27PM
thegildedgopher: "Bring two rods that will cover your entire range of use. For me that's one ML spinning rod in the 6.5-7 foot range (bobbers, walleye jigging, casting lightweight lures), and one M to MH casting rod in the 7-8 foot range (trolling, jigging lake trout, and casting heavier lures like spoons and big bucktails)."
I can see the point about going less expensive on the trolling rod. We still bring St. Croix rods, though. I like the strength to weight ratio, meaning I like the lightness of the St. Croix rods vs. a less expensive rod. And I like it for casting, but that's us.
Personally, I would shorten those rod lengths slightly. A 6' MF rod for jigging and casting lightweight lures is plenty long enough. I would not like to be jigging with a long rod all day long.
And for trolling and casting heavier lures, I like a 6'6" MF rod. You could go to 7', but I think longer than that gets cumbersome. There's nothing a 7' rod can do that a 6'6" rod can't do just as well.
As for the Medium Fast (MF) blank, one never knows what is going to bite. When I have a big walleye or, more importantly, a big northern on the line, I sure don't want a noodle in my hand. I need a rod with a backbone. A medium fast rod gives us the power to battle the big fellas.
"Keep close to Nature's heart, yourself; and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean." ~ John Muir
02/15/2021 04:55PM
Point taken on rod length. I like a bit longer, but to each his own. I would prefer a nice rod for casting as well, but the OP asked about trolling specifically and I just can't justify the cost for a high-end dedicated trolling rod. Personal preference.
Jackfish is talking about rod action when he says MF (medium fast).
I am talking about rod power when I say M or MH (medim, medium heavy).
Important distinction. Rod action explains where the rod bends when under pressure. Rod power explains's the rod's resistance strength.
Jackfish is talking about rod action when he says MF (medium fast).
I am talking about rod power when I say M or MH (medim, medium heavy).
Important distinction. Rod action explains where the rod bends when under pressure. Rod power explains's the rod's resistance strength.
02/15/2021 05:58PM
I fish out of kayaks more than canoes, but I like the same gear out of both. I like long rods, particularly in spinning rods. With a 7' rod, or better yet a 7 1/2', I get better casting distance and better hook sets than I do with a shorter rod thanks to the longer lever arm. I also feel I get better control of the fish. Where the longer rods really help is when the fish swims from one side of the boat to the other and I need to clear the line around the bow.
If I could find 8' spinning rods with the handle length I liked, I would go with 8'. That said 10' would be too long for me and I would stick with 2 piece 8' rods if I were taking trolling rods to the BW, but the little trolling I do in the BW is handled just fine by the same rods I cast with.
If I could find 8' spinning rods with the handle length I liked, I would go with 8'. That said 10' would be too long for me and I would stick with 2 piece 8' rods if I were taking trolling rods to the BW, but the little trolling I do in the BW is handled just fine by the same rods I cast with.
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