What kind/size of rod for salmon trolling?

[mmullins]

So I picked up a few rods and now I am thinking I might of bought the wrong kind. They are Okuma SST Salmon series 8' 15-50 lbs 1-6oz heavy action. I will mostly just be trolling without down riggers just running kidney wieghts and flashers as I'll be fishing Grays and Willipa Harbors where down riggers arnt need. But if I fish the sound and want to put them in the downriggers  Do you think I'll be able to get enoug bend in them for proper hook sets? They are spooled with 40# mono and I think that stretch will help a bit on hook sets.

Also would like to get a couple mooching rods. Any suggestions?

[h2ofowlr]

They are pretty short for down rigger rods, but you won't know until you try them.  You just want enough tension on them, where they are not pulling out of the clips, but still can set the hook on the fish when it grabs your gear.  I am running the G Loomis SAMR1265C for my down riggers and work well, but the price of them is not attractive.  Look around on line what others may be using for downrigger rods and keep your eyes out for some deals.

[Mfowl]

The Lamiglas Classic glass series rod is excellent for DR fishing and has a great introductory price, about $90. Your SST's will do fine for Willap/Gray's but consider spooling up with 50-65lb braid. Also research Columbia River and Buoy 10 salmon rigging for trolling. This consists of a slider on you mainline with a dropper to a canon ball weight. Behind that will be an inline fish flash to your chosen lure/bait. I haven't been able to load pics here lately or I'd give an example. However this is a common setup for salmon trolling and you should be able to find info easily.

[Rick]

The action on those Okumas is too fast for optimal use on a downrigger.

For a downrigger you want a slow action where the rod is basically bent from the cork to the tip.

Those 15-50s are great rods for jigging with Pt. Wilson Darts for salmon or leadheads for Ling Cod or Rockfish.

[kball4]

I've had really good luck with my 8'6" Cabelas depth master downrigger rod combo with the depth master reel.  Sensitive enough for pinks, but solid enough for 30 pound kings.  But I only run 20-25lb test mono.

[BigGoonTuna]

you're really going to be making a big compromise if you want a rod for trolling lead in the estuaries as well as downrigger use.  i would just pick up some cheap glass downrigger rods and not worry about it.

[stkflker]

I too use the cabelas 8'6 depthmaster downrigger combo, downriggers in the sound then droppers in the willapa. they're a good start until you figure out what you really wanna spend money on.