I’ve never really been a fan of pulling plugs but I have started to get into it and have a few questions… What rods and reels are the best? Can you get by with a cheap rod and a nice reel? How long of rod would you recommend and what action? What types of reels are better? I won’t be dealing with leadcore….yet. I’ll just be pulling with no weights. Thanks in advance!
I use simple linecounters and have been happy with them. I have 2 cabelas/daiwa combos that work well. they are 8’6″ 2 piece rods. I use one for long lining and one for leadcore. I think you can pick them up for 70$
U just dont do it jethro its that easy…but were gunna have to while mappin otherwise we will need to bring a sober driver
U just dont do it jethro its that easy…but were gunna have to while mappin otherwise we will need to bring a sober driver
after reading your post, I think you need a sober writer
1.Rod depends on the lure and your preference.
2.Reel, best and also most expensive is the shimano tekota lc
3.Cheap rod and reel will work
4.For rod length I like 8’6” so I get away from the boat some
5.Line counter reels are best so you can easily repeat what you just did to catch that last fish.
6.If you don’t want to deal with leadcore and you need your lure to get down more. Try 3 way rigging.
Good luck
You’ll want to invest your money in reels. I’ve not had good luck with the Cabela’s brand reels I’ve bought, would go to Daiwa or Okuma if you’re looking to spend less than $100 per reel. Over $100 per, Shimano Tekotas are also very good in addition to higher end Daiwa or Okuma.
RE: rods, for years lots of guides and pros used the Ugly Stick CAL 1100, 7’M, 1 or 2 piece, for just about any type of trolling. Looks like they’ve replaced it with this model.
http://www.uglystik.com/uglystik-rods-casting-rods/ugly-stik-gx2-casting-rod/1365066.html#
MODEL # USCA701M
MODEL # USCA702M
Since you’re in SD, planer boards are your next step. We’ve used Off Shore boards for 20+ years and just had to replace our oldest boards this spring. I’ve used other brands and would come back to Off Shore without question.
Good luck with what you decide.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Brady Valberg wrote:</div>
U just dont do it jethro its that easy…but were gunna have to while mappin otherwise we will need to bring a sober driverafter reading your post, I think you need a sober writer
Here I thought it was just me. 
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Brady Valberg wrote:</div>
U just dont do it jethro its that easy…but were gunna have to while mappin otherwise we will need to bring a sober driverafter reading your post, I think you need a sober writer
Tekotas are very nice high end reels. I used to have cabelas reels and had little trouble. In the last couple years I’ve been using Abu Garcia Alphamars and they work great. Don’t spend a fortune on rods. Find a couple that have the right action for the type of line and trolling you plan to do. Scheels has nice rods for under $50.
Where do you plan to pull plugs? I just use the same rods used for casting crankbaits. 7′ 6″ tidemasters with arbors on them. Very fast to just cast the cranks out and start trolling. Want more line out just let it out. Want less line out reel some in. Nice not having to carry an extra set of rods in the boat. Great light set ups for holding the rod all day. This allows you to feel what is going on, if you get any weeds on the lines or best of all to feel those fish hit the cranks. You also need to be holding the rod to pulse the lures back and forth. I do have rods holders in the boat but its mostly used for an arm rest.
Guess if I was main lake trolling mille lacs or some other big body of water I would get my line counters out again. For smaller bodies of water, rivers, shallow trolling runs spinning gear works great.
X2 on what Fife said. Rods are a dime a dozen and can be had relatively cheap. I’d spend the majority of my budget on a high end reel like the Shimano Tekotas that will give you years of use and reliability.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
