Trolling rod length related to number of rods?

I just wanted to hear everyones input on trolling rods and what length they like to use. In the dakotas where the water is more stained or turbid it seams you can at times get away with fishing rather close to the boat making planer boards not that big of an issue. I have fished with boards but have basically found that less undoing board clips and putting out boards and manuevering them equals more time in the water. I have started to experiement with two 5 foot rods and then 2 9 foot rods. This just simply being what a friend and me have available. Has anyone fished with 15 foot trolling rod or a 14 that some people are now talking about. I believe scheels makes a 15 and I do not know if anyone else does or a 14 for that matter. I was looking to perhaps have one or two of these on hand as they would then widen the spread another 5 feet on both sides and reduce any line tangles. Just wanted to hear what everyone else does when running this many lines. -Quintin.

There was just a post about this the other day, try searching 14′ trolling rod. Or someone will post a link I am sure.

http://www.idofishing.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=equipment&Number=1142983&fpart=1&PHPSESSID=

For me they do not replace double boards in my trolling system, but they do offer some options when flat lining. I’ve got one lure that pulls so hard i’ve not found a release that can handle it. My 12′ Eyecon handles it flatlined and that get two lines out. With another straight off the back of the boat, i’ve got three in. Works for me. Now, if i’ve got a second fisherman along, i’m back in trouble…

Q –

I do as you do – two 5 foot shorties and two 8.5 footers. Then, if I want, I will run two more rods with planer boards. The planer rods are also 8.5 footers that telescope. I’ve tried 14 footers and don’t like the length.

Recently, while trolling Pepin, had all six lines out with the two kids and they picked up on what to do quick–with three rods banging one time—whoooo-eee!

http://www.idofishing.com/forum/showthreaded.php?Cat=0&Number=1144284

I looked into the other forums as well and am comparing it all. Boards are fun as they are fun to watch but come big wind and tight corners as I sometimes encounter it is just much nicer to run flatlines. In a week or two here looks like its gonna be two 5s, two 8s and two 12s. 14 seems to long when im running a 16.5ft boat. I still loving running a board fleet on a super calm day and spread them way out . 2 flat lines and 4 boards looks pretty cool on glass water. – Quintin

Q,
I fish with several guys who do the two 5 footers and then two 12 footers. The fives are the two inside rods with lead, and the twelves are straight out, perpendicular to the boat, and some use lead, some use flatlines. I personally run two 5 footers straight out the back with lead, and usually have two 10 footers straight out the sides with Fireline. This allows different ways to find out what cranks are working, and covers quite a bit of water. Here in NE, most of our water is stained too, but I’ve had decent success in clear water areas using the same program. Sure is fun watching a 10lb wiper destroy one of the outside rods; looks like they’re going to break in half.

Thanks for your input fellas, Robinson I can imagine a wiper hitting a rod like that would be fun. We catch alot of white bass here in the glacial lakes and a good one of them is around 2.5lbs lots of spunk but a short fight usually. I have never caught a wiper, i am assuming thye are a whitebass and striped bass combo. Does anyone eat them at all? – Quintin

A 2 1/2lb whitey is a great fish, but I will say I don’t even really care about whites anymore after catching these wipers. A little 4 pounder will give you quite a run.

Wipers are in fact a cross between stripers and whites. I’ve only caught a handful of stripers, but these wipers are really something. We’ve had 44′ of line out on counters, and when some of these fish stopped, it was out to 125′. They are truly a blast.

You’re allowed one over 18″ per day, but I personally never take them home. I think I’ve had 2 on the table in the past several years, and the only reason for that was that my buddy was along, and he’s a chef.

Wipers aren’t cheap, and they’re a great tool for biologists, not to mention a fun fish to chase. I just find them too valueable to take home.

If any of your reels have a weakness, they guys will find it. And destroy it.