Rods to use with planner boards?

I am looking at buying a couple rods to use with planner boards for walleye and plan on using sealine 27 reels.What would you reccomend?

Check these out.
St. Croix Trolling Rods

The St. Croix Derek mentions are obviously head-n-shoulders above other rods and would be the top-of-the-line choice. If you need to spend less $$$, the Cabela’s Depthmaster Trolling Series Rod might be worth a look.

I was looking at the depthmaster rods as I was going to get a couple sealine reels and if you buy the combo the rod is only about $20 more.Has anyone tried these?8 foot 6 or 9 foot?I want to get some good rods but do you really need a high end rod to pull boards?I also want to use them to pull 2-3 ounce bouncers.Will they be ok for that to.Thanks

I’m not an expert on rod n reels so I was seeking advice on this topic earlier this year. After a lot of input from the pro staff and the members here, I was going to go with the Diawa AccuDepth Reel on a DepthMaster Rod (the Cabela’s combo). I was going to try to save a little money on the reels even though just about everyone said to get the Sealines. Well, before I ordered from Cabela’s my wife had purchased two Sealine 27s on DepthMaster Rods. This was my anniversary gift (I was smart enough to marry a GREAT lady!). I think these will work fine for pulling cranks with or without boards. The combo is a nice way to save some money.

But I will say again, from what I hear from everyone else, St. Croix is the best. It depends on what your top dollar is when shopping for these rods.

You should also get some more opinions here before you make a final decision. Give it another day or two to see some more responses. Hope this helps.

My choice is the Gary Roach Sig. Series Lighting Rods.They have 2 models that were designed for planer board use and they are great rods!!!! They have a 8’6″ and a 7’10” and both telescope down to fit into rod lockers.I’m probably going to be the only one that will give these rods a vote,most of the users on the site are St Croix users and fans.Best of luck in your choice.
Ryan Hale

Thanks for the replys.How do you like your depthmaster rods and what length do you have?Im sure they are not as good as a St Croix but you can hardly go wrong with the combo price.

I haven’t got to use them yet. Just got ’em this week. Maybe someone else who has used them can comment.

By the way, I have used the rods Ryan Hale mentioned (well, they were his rods). Very nice rods. Loved the telescoping ability for storage!

Castaway, I have a couple of the depth master rods, 9 footers that collapse down to about6 1/2 or 7 feet. They work great for both leadcore and longline trolling, and they will work good for 3-ways. I have run mine with up to 6 oz. of weight and they worked fine. Since I got into the St. Croixs I don’t use mine too much anymore, but for the price I don’t think you can go wrong.

Hands down in my opinion, the Wallye Angler series from Bass Pro Shops are some of the greatest value out there.

The 8’6″ Medium telescoping Trolling rod is great for Mono and Leadcore – regular price of $60 and they go on sale for $40 every so often. An excellent parabolic action that does a great job with the stess of boards, big deep-diving baits and speed trolling lead, I personally own 10 of these rods.

The 8’6″ Medium-light deadstick is a great rod for trolling with super line line Fireline. Very soft rod that will not rip out the hooks when bringing in fish. Again prices are not the same and I also have a collection of this model.

Here’s a link with descriptions:
http://www.basspro-shops.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=36916&hvarTarget=search&hvarAID=&cmCat=3333408

I am not sponsored by Bass Pro or Walleye Angler, in my experience of being in the boat with 30+ professional walleye anglers, these are the best rods for the application. You don’t need a lot of money to do the job here.

Also the Sealine 27 reels are great – get the walleye model if you want the paddle (baitcasting) style of handle or I prefer the single handle when wrenching in the big girls!

Good luck with your choice!

ted
#858

Hey Ryan,
Where did you get your Gary Roach Lightning Rods? I like them too, but can’t find them anywhere.
Thanks for your help.

Mike there all over in Iowa.Also I think Reeds should have some right now.Cabelas has had them in the past also.Let me know if you have any questions on make/models.Take care,how are those springers doing?
Ryan Hale

Thanks for all the replies.I think I will probably pick up a couple of the cheaper rods and try them out and see how much use I get out of them.I dont run boards that much but I am heading out to Erie this spring.

I have 2 Depthmaster 8′-6″ tele rods. For the price, as a “non-guide,” ….they work great. I have Sealine 27 reels on them. I use 30# Spiderwire (6# dia.) and troll both with and without boards. When using boards, I use the “Off-Shore” brand. I like those too. I only use them for walleye though. I’m no expert by any means,… and my stuff is not the most expensive or greatest, but I catch my fair share of fish. The rods work great for the price. I know you’ll like them if you give them a try. You can certainly spend more if you like, but again,… for the price, they are good rods.
Splitshot