What rods to buy for down riggers?

[HURRICANEBOB]

I have mainly Ugly Stick Striper and Catfish rods, 7 foot, bait caster style Medium Heavy Action. Could thsy be used for downrigging?

What rods do you use for down rigging? Can down rigger rods also serve double duty for pulling planer boards, or bottom fishing?

[apb]

Been a while since I downrigged on a regular basis. I used Ugly Stick Tiger Downrigger rods. 8 foot, ML action. Worked for planers and bottom fishing too. I would think your 7 foot rods would be fine. Not like you really need anything special for downrigging. As long as the rod can be held with tention on it for hours at a time, no issues.

Andrew

[kygorski]

You already have em,trhose ugly sticks fit the bill for downrigging and planer boards. They are tough to beat for the money.

[JoeB]

Bob, I've used the ugly stick "striper" rods for downrigging the last several and they work great. Cheap too.

[Duayne]

You may want to consider why they call a rod a down rigging rod before you decide. You see ppl out with them bent way over and there is a reason for that. When a fish hits, there is a right angle between the ball and the fish which leaves a lot of loose line. The snap of the rod to the upright position helps remove that slack. That is why those rods are specially made to flex down as far as they do. They don't have to be expensive, but I'd get some that are long and flexible.

[striperjoe]

I have mainly Ugly Stick Striper and Catfish rods, 7 foot, bait caster style Medium Heavy Action. Could thsy be used for downrigging?

What rods do you use for down rigging? Can down rigger rods also serve double duty for pulling planer boards, or bottom fishing?

That's what I use. Have some 9ft rods for riggin but they require to much reach.
Yhe rods you have will do just fine.
Gary

[HURRICANEBOB]

Thanks to all! Good advice. Will start with the rods I got, hope a couple break while the wife is watching, and wait till she "urges me" to get new ones.

Man, I hope she doesn't read this........if she tries this with the microwave I'm screwwwwwwwwed!