Downrigger Rod/Reel: Merry Xmas to Me

[kodacachers]

The fam asked me for my Christmas list and I'm thinking of upgrading my downrigger rod/reels. Any suggestions? Would like to keep it under $175 for the set thinking most of that would be for the reel. I'm thinking of lever drag because they seem easier to use for novices.
I'd also appreciate a reality check on my budget--I'm thinking a $200 rod isn't necessary on downriggers, but a lot of people seem to love the FethaStyx Chrome.

Thanks!!

P.S. I know this topic has been covered some, by G-Man in particular, but updated thoughts are appreciated.

[The Quadfather]

I am assuming you are fishing for salmon or larger fish like Mackinaw? I only ask because the downrigger rod/reel that I use for that application is totally different from when I'm fishing cutthroat or Kokanee on the downrigger .

Salmon, I use a Lamiglas, "Classic glass" rod. Solid, well made. My ugly sticks both broke after a few years.
The reel is an Abu Garcia make, forget model#. , I'm at work.

For smaller fish it's a Abu Garcia Am ambassaduer 5000 reel, with a St. Croix Kokanee rod.

[kodacachers]

Yes, salmon on the sound. I'll cross Ugly Stick off my list! Thanks!!

[rcthepirate]

If you want a lever drag you can't go wrong with a shimano charter special, which will run about 129.99. Great reel. That leaves you with about enough money to get a shimano TDR at 29.99. Not a great rod, but they get the job done. That would probably be the best setup given your budget. I would much rather spend a little extra on the reel and skimp on the rod a bit than the other way around. If you wanted a decent trolling reel and a little bit better rod I would probably go with a shimano triton 200-g (not a lever drag) for the reel (69.99), and either a shimano talora (69.99), an ugly stik bigwater trolling rod (about the same price), or a lamiglas classic glass downrigger rod (about 90.00). All good options, just a matter of where you want to put your money.

[Mike Carey]

Yes, salmon on the sound. I'll cross Ugly Stick off my list! Thanks!!

I respectfully disagree. I switched to 8'3" Med. Ugly Sticks this past year and they have performed excellently. Very durable, nice fiberglass flexibility, quite affordable, and to my eyes well constructed. No need to spend a ton of money on DR rods. They need to withstand a constant load, not be super-sensitive. And let's face it, DR fishing is meat fishing, sport is kinda secondary, especially when you have a 12" flasher that you're towing around. Price was I think around $55

I had (and have the TDR. Not happy with it at all, didn't hold up well for me, the Ugly Stick was a big improvement.

Pair it with a shimano Triton level wind, you're good to go for Puget Sound. My Tritons are going on 15 years old, I sent them in once for an overhaul which is like a flat $30 through Shimano, it's like getting a new reel back. Price new $60ish

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-Triton- ... 2ecb3493b5

[The Quadfather]

I feel like there may be different Ugly Sticks out there. I know they are a "Work horse" of the sport. I wouldn't mean to dog them. The ones I have that are not used in the DR, have served me well.

[rcthepirate]

Yes, salmon on the sound. I'll cross Ugly Stick off my list! Thanks!!

I respectfully disagree. I switched to 8'3" Med. Ugly Sticks this past year and they have performed excellently. Very durable, nice fiberglass flexibility, quite affordable, and to my eyes well constructed. No need to spend a ton of money on DR rods. They need to withstand a constant load, not be super-sensitive. And let's face it, DR fishing is meat fishing, sport is kinda secondary, especially when you have a 12" flasher that you're towing around. Price was I think around $55

I had (and have the TDR. Not happy with it at all, didn't hold up well for me, the Ugly Stick was a big improvement.

Pair it with a shimano Triton level wind, you're good to go for Puget Sound. My Tritons are going on 15 years old, I sent them in once for an overhaul which is like a flat $30 through Shimano, it's like getting a new reel back. Price new $60ish

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-Triton- ... 2ecb3493b5

Honestly, I think those med. ugly stik downrigger rods are about as good a rod as any for puget sound. They have a great parabolic action, and they are plenty tough for loading up in a release clip without being overpowered. I think a lot of the rods that guys are using (TDR, Classic Glass, Talora) are overpowered for most of your puget sound coho/hatchery chinook. They take a lot of the fun out of playing the smaller to average sized salmon that are the norm in Puget Sound. And if you like trolling for humpies, you are definitely going to be better off with the Ugly Stik. The Ugly Stik is going to be way easier on those soft mouths than the alternatives. On the other hand, if you do a lot of Chinook fishing during the summer (not that we really get much of an opportunity), and you tie into some larger hatchery fish/average sized natives in the 20+ pound range, they are going to make the medium Ugly Stik feel like a noodle when you get them close to the boat. It'll make for a great fight, but it'll also make it more difficult to control the fish. But unless you are one of those guys who gets out every day during our increasingly short summer chinook season, you may only tie into one or two of those fish a year, if that.

[dutchman2858]

Most dependable I've ever used for trolling: 8' Ugly Stik Tiger Rod, BWD2200-2, Med Lt, 12-30# line. Tough as nails based on 12 years of using them trolling on a charter vessel I ran out of Kodiak. Only 3 broken after 6 years of abuse by clients who were reefing on rods snagged on the bottom.

Lots of coho and kings on these rods and halibut up to 95# (THAT took awhile )