Well downriggers can be pretty hard on rods. E-glass is an excellent choice for them because they are bombproof. Nine foot is a good all around choice but I like the longer 10.5 foot rods even more.
If you are a serious downrigger you should look into the Rainshadow BP rods. You get the toughness of glass with the sensitivity of graphite. Gotta build them up yourself though.
Area 11 opens soon for blackmouth. Should be a great opener!
SeaRun1