All,

I'm looking to get some good trolling rods. I'll mostly be trolling for striper and blues when i'm in the area. I'd like something that will easily handle a 50lb striper seeing that i'll most likely take the boat offshore to go fishing as well. I've just seen soo many different types of rods and reels that i have no clue what to get now! I'll probably spool the reel with braid and then tip it with mono.

Let me know what ya'll think.

Thanks,

Lee

Well, most of the folks on this site know a whole lot more than me, but I'd say you can't go wrong with a Penn Senator rod with 6/0 reel. Good for 50lb striper (good luck!) and offshore, too.

Just my 2 cents....

Tom

You know enough, thats a great set up.

For Stripers you could probably get by with less, either a Penn 309 or 4/0. If you are looking for a compromise however, I think what Tom said is good - a 6/0 will handle any striper and most of the stuff you would get offshore. I have found that Boater's World is the best place to buy them.

For Stripers I actually use the Bass Pro Shop's version of the TLD 25. I'm told Shimano makes it for BPS but it is less expensive. For Offshore I have a combination of Penn 9/0s and Internationals.

Those 50 pounders are out there - my buddy Owen (felixthecat) got one last year.

Agree with the above posts.

Thanks all for the replies,

Do you have a link for the bass pro shops version of the TLD 25? Also, how long of a rod is good, because i know it shouldn't be too long but i would think that too short could be a problem too because it will take the fun out of the fight. I've found penn senator 6/0 combo's for around 125, and from what i've been reading i do not want a level wind reel.

PS I hate shopping at boaters world, their prices are outrageous!

Thanks again all!

Lee

[quote=Donna Sea,Oct 19 2007, 10:24 AM][quote=Volunteer,Oct 19 2007, 11:12 AM]Well, most of the folks on this site know a whole lot more than me, but I'd say you can't go wrong with a Penn Senator rod with 6/0 reel.  Good for 50lb striper (good luck!) and offshore, too.

Just my 2 cents....

[/quote]

For Stripers you could probably get by with less, either a Penn 309 or 4/0. If you are looking for a compromise however, I think what Tom said is good - a 6/0 will handle any striper and most of the stuff you would get offshore. I have found that Boater's World is the best place to buy them.

For Stripers I actually use the Bass Pro Shop's version of the TLD 25. I'm told Shimano makes it for BPS but it is less expensive. For Offshore I have a combination of Penn 9/0s and Internationals.

Those 50 pounders are out there - my buddy Owen (felixthecat) got one last year.

[/quote]

We use the TLD 30's, which we find to be very, very good. They are great for white marlin fishing, will handle a tuna - well - when you get one and are excellent for ocean striper fishing. We don't even start on the stripers untill Jan. so we are pulling the big ocean baits all the time and the TLD 30 works perfect. I am not familar with the Bass Pro product but I can tell you-- buy the very best quality you can afford. You won't regret it.

Kent

BPS does not advertise the TLD clones anymore on their site. I heard just the opposite of what Donna Sea said. I heard they copied and were sued by shimano. I think Marlin Maniac told me that so it's probably BS!

Eric, I resemble that remark! I have a buddy that had two of those BPS TLD25 clones. I used them once and fell in love with them. BPS had an internet sale on them and I bought 8 at $99.00 each. The salesman at BPS is the one that told me they were being sued by Shimano. I waited 4 months for them to be delivered they were so backlogged with orders. Went down to that nameless tackle store on Northhampton Blvd and bought 8 Ande matching 30 - 50 lb standup rods for 50.00 each. Hard to find a rod that inexpensive that has an aluminum real seat and gimble butt. I've got them rigged for eeling and only use them in the ASA tournaments, but they would be great for whites, sails and schoolie tunas offshore. Dave on BillableOurs has some simular rigs. Good stuff. That said, I own a few 6/0 high speed Senators too. I use them for the flats and short riggers in a trolling pattern, and for deep dropping and wreck fishing. Great all around medium duty offshore, heavy duty inshore rigs. Can't go wrong with either one if you ask me. Tight lines and good luck!

Just as I figured.

The salesman at BPS is the one that told me that Shimano made the reels for them. Go figure. Since BPS does not appear to carry them anymore, I'm guessing the "being sued" story is more accurate.

I went to BPS online and it looks like they are carrying their own version of the Penn 4/0 and 6/0 now - pretty cheap too.

Charlie

I have picked up all my 4/0 and 6/0 Penns off ebay. If you keep looking you can find barely used ones for half of new.

I have 3 that are 50 years old and they look like they are brand new. 9/0 are harder to find deals on it seems.