New trolling rod

[Jim McFalls]

First of all, Happy New Year to everyone in the Snaggedline kayak fishing community!

I troll 2 lines from my Hobie - a Penn Battle II 7' setup, and a Penn Spinfisher 4500 with a 7' Penn Squadron rod (yes, I like Penn gear, in case you haven't noticed). I have an old Peerless No. 9 level wind reel that I want to start using again, but the rod I use with it is 5'6", and a bit too stout. And I love the reel!

Does anyone have any suggestions for a replacement rod in the 6'-7' range, possibly in the St. Croix family, that won't require a second mortgage, and would pair nicely with this reel?

Thanks, and I appreciate any input you might offer.

JM

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[yakscientist]

I use an ugly stik bigwater for both of my larger spinning reels, I'm sure they make a casting/conventional style bigwater that would suit your purposes. Be weary though, you may want to look for the previous style on ebay, the yellow and black colored ones, as the new ugly stiks don't seem to be nearly the same quality as last gens. I have several different ugly stiks and 2 of my 3 new gens all have issues (rusting/peeling guides, fiberglass shards protruding from a split, etc), and the newer bigwater I have has been great so far but I fear it will soon have issues like the other 2. The 1 piece "stainless" guides they use now are awful, the fuji guides they used before were just fine, but I bet they save a couple cents now per rod, so maybe that's all that matters.

Penn also makes some value priced rods like the carnage,ally, mariner, and rampage, but I haven't used any of those. I can't comment on St. Croix rods either because I've never used one, though my next rod will probably be a st. croix mojo bass.

[Jim McFalls]

This is great information - thank you! I am leaning toward the Carnage and Mariner II.

Thanks again!
JM

[yakscientist]

No problem! Glad I could help. I'll probably post a review of whatever rod I get next as well, I've been meaning to post some gear reviews anyway.

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[NattyBoh74]

I came in here to look for two conventional trolling rods. I don't know what to choose...

[Redfish12]

I think there is a Penn Squadron in the $40 dollar range at Walmart that looks like it would be a good option for the peerless sized reels. It's 7ft and says it's rated to 15-25 or 15-30 if I remember right. Eva grips, not an excessively long rear handle, and stiff enough to troll heavier lures without being a complete broomstick in the kayak. The Allegiance series rods are also a versatile rod and at a good value.

[NattyBoh74]

I'm going to need one for a conventional, wonder if they make it for them...

[Jim McFalls]

I think there is a Penn Squadron in the $40 dollar range at Walmart that looks like it would be a good option for the peerless sized reels. It's 7ft and says it's rated to 15-25 or 15-30 if I remember right. Eva grips, not an excessively long rear handle, and stiff enough to troll heavier lures without being a complete broomstick in the kayak. The Allegiance series rods are also a versatile rod and at a good value.

Yes indeed! I use a Squadron with my Penn Spinfisher 4500 for trolling as well. A good rod.

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[Redfish12]

they do, it's the eva one without a trigger seat

I'm going to need one for a conventional, wonder if they make it for them...

[NattyBoh74]

Guys: how's the backbone on it? Looking for a stiffer rod to troll with ...

[Redfish12]

It’s a stout rod