How to pick downrigger rod length?

[atfulldraw]

Downrigger fishing is new to me and I was wondering what I need to consider for choosing a rod length. I am am seeing most rods in the 7'-10' range and I feel a little lost on what I would need.  So hear are a few fun facts for you guys. 
1. I will be fishing for silver's and pinks.
2. I have 30" booms on my scotty downriggers. 
3. My boat is 17' long with a 72" beam.
Thanks for any help.

[Webfoot]

I have been using 8 1/2 foot rods with my downriggers for many years and think they are just right. Any longer and they are a pain in the butt when inside of the boat, any shorter and they don't get the right amount of bend when when deployed.

Good luck
John

[elkaholic123]

8 1/2 is all we ever used but my friend that does a lot of fishing swears by his Lamiglas 10 1/2 Kenai Kwiks 

[WAcoueshunter]

Yeah, 8.5 or 9 for me.  I've had shorter and longer, and both directions have their drawbacks. 

[SkookumHntr]

We use 10' rods, makes it nice to get around the offshore bracket when a king goes to he other side if the boat

[CP]

When fishing alone I use a 7 foot rod because it is a real trick to net a fish with one hand and control a long rod with the other.

[huntnphool]

I use 8.5's as well.

[Mark251]

I have a set-up similar to yours and I go with 8' to 8.5' rods. I've tried shorter and longer but those are the rods that seem to work best for me.  Good Fishing!

Mark

[atfulldraw]

Sounds like 8' 6" is the way to go. Thanks guys

[jamesfromseattle]

If you start focusing on kings I'd recommend trying the really long (10'6") noodle mooching rods that are popular up in BC because they help absorb the big head shakes.

Sounds like you're right on track with the 8'6" for pink and coho, though.

[hogslayer]

Just get a lamiglass Kenai Kwik and be done with it.

[MtnMuley]

I use mostly 8.5s,  but have a couple 9. They all work, but would stay between those two lengths. 10s have a great bend in the rigger, but are just too big for me to use when baiting and general use around the boat.

[cohoho]

9ft for me.  Do not spend too much on DR rods unless they are dual purpose rods then buy higher end stuff or if your buying only one.  I like to really get them tight.  DR rods, no reason to buy the best stuff, just a super quality reel as the rod is not used to sense a bite.  Make sure it has a flexible top with a strong lower end.    I like all of mine to be the same set up on the boat so have 6-8 sets all rigged the same.  I use different color line on several of the reels, so it is easier to determine which line goes where when that unfortunate event of DR tangles that sometimes occurs on the rods...  All my DR rods are Ugly Stick Lites - which the boat and I have caught hundreds of Salmon each year without fail, I cannot say the same on a three nice Lami-snaps that went south under that pressure.  If you take a high end rod, bend it to capacity then step forward as sometimes people on boat randomly due to waves, rocking, excitement, etc.  SNAP goes the rod as it was fully loaded and that added pressure had no where to go - but back at you- things happen, but I can honestly state - I have never broken an Ugly Stick lite while DR fishing....   I use them coupled with Avet SX & SXJ reels, small tightly spaced reel that makes winding easy at high speed retrieval rates or when power is needed.  A different story of course on rod choice if using for bite detection fishing...

Although my buddy has nothing but G-Loomis 10.5ft and they are pretty sweet, but I am not spending $350 each for 6 to 8 rods...

[MtnMuley]

I kinda disagree cohoho. You definately get what you pay for as far as Loomis's go. I buy them for the fight after the rigger goes off. Never tried the US lites though.   I run all light rods here on the eastern side of the state, and in my boat,  it's all about the fight you have on your hands once the fish is on.      I totally agree on the quality reel part

[cohoho]

I kinda disagree cohoho. You definately get what you pay for as far as Loomis's go. I buy them for the fight after the rigger goes off. Never tried the US lites though.   I run all light rods here on the eastern side of the state, and in my boat,  it's all about the fight you have on your hands once the fish is on.      I totally agree on the quality reel part

Probably so, but I only fish salt on riggers..   And I have a lot of different people in the boat, some never fished until taken them out (Wounded Warriors) and I supply the gear, so in the event a rod gets trashed, it is all good!   But I do have a couple nice ones, but feel selfish if I have them on the boat and not for general use..

I did watch a $350 Lamiglas SI graphite handled rod and a $200 reel go screaming out of wet, numb hands one day - that made my mind up to stick with Ugly Sticks pretty quickly..  lol

[Mfowl]

I agree with Cohoho, don't buy high end rods for your DR's put the $ in a good reel. I've run a US lite on my DR and it was a good rod. It would be a decent choice especially for Pinks/Coho's. However it has very few eyes on it compared to DR specific rods. One that I have been looking at is the Okuma DR rod. They make a 10'6" and a lighter 8'6" that seems like it would be sweet for Coho's. Both retail for about $90 ea. I've run all standard lengths from 8'6"-10'6" and all performed fine. I do prefer a glass rod over a graphite rod. Good luck out there, let us know what you choose.

[MtnMuley]

I kinda disagree cohoho. You definately get what you pay for as far as Loomis's go. I buy them for the fight after the rigger goes off. Never tried the US lites though.   I run all light rods here on the eastern side of the state, and in my boat,  it's all about the fight you have on your hands once the fish is on.      I totally agree on the quality reel part

Probably so, but I only fish salt on riggers..   And I have a lot of different people in the boat, some never fished until taken them out (Wounded Warriors) and I supply the gear, so in the event a rod gets trashed, it is all good!   But I do have a couple nice ones, but feel selfish if I have them on the boat and not for general use..

I did watch a $350 Lamiglas SI graphite handled rod and a $200 reel go screaming out of wet, numb hands one day - that made my mind up to stick with Ugly Sticks pretty quickly..  lol

You make a good point on people on your boat with little or no experience handling the rods. Wise on your rod choice there. I once had a GLX and Calcutta TE hit the water........thank God for the deep bury in the clip. My cat like reflexes came awake after several years!