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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Fishing Forum :: Trolling rod
 
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THEGrandRapids
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.
 
THEGrandRapids
02/15/2021 08:06AM
  
Yeah, my thoughts too it did seem long.


I don’t use rod holders, just my foot and rest the rod against the gunwale. That 10’ rod might stick the tip way too high with that method
 
Savage Voyageur
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.
 
thegildedgopher
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).

 
Jackfish
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.
 
thegildedgopher
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.
 
WIMike
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.
 
AmarilloJim
02/16/2021 07:59AM
  
Line choice (mono vs braid) would be one of my biggest factors in rod flex considerations.