|
|
Posts: 16
| what is everyone using for Trolling rods? I am currently using Shimano 9 foot Heavy TDR's. Great rod for $35.
While at the Ohio muskie show I looked at a lot of different rods and really liked the Chaos Tackle trolling rods. They were $100 at the show.
Is there another option out there to consider?
I really have no issue with the TDR's
thanks |
|
| |
|
| Living in Northern WI, I can only use one trolling rod and I bought a Chaos Assault Stick rod for trolling/live bait. I have been very pleased with it. But, I don't really have anything to compare it to.
It is tough. Shortly after purchase I was trolling at about 3 mph, and snagged a rock pile I didn't know was there. Had the drag set way too tight, rod bent in half but held.
Stupidity on my part, had it snapped, would have been my fault. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 440
Location: SW Ohio | Using older med-heavy and heavy Shimano Sojourne rods. I have two TDR's but both have lost eyelet rings and seem week when running larger baits. Initially, I liked the 9' length but some the areas I troll are tight and the 7-6 and 8' rods are easier to deal with. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 16
| I think I'm going to get the Chaos Assault rods at the Milwaukee show.
I only need 4 and they are $100 each at the show.
I'll probably get 2-9 footers for my outside rods and 2-8 footers for my inside. I'm running on Lake st Clair and I'm running inline Livingston boards.
I have been happy with the TDR's though. I really have. Never broke one
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 287
Location: US | I run 7' Shakespeare tidewater rods. They are cheap, have solid guides, and handle big baits great. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1758
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | Cat Power - 2/1/2026 6:39 AM
I think I'm going to get the Chaos Assault rods at the Milwaukee show.
I only need 4 and they are $100 each at the show.
I'll probably get 2-9 footers for my outside rods and 2-8 footers for my inside. I'm running on Lake st Clair and I'm running inline Livingston boards.
I have been happy with the TDR's though. I really have. Never broke one
I have 2 9’s and 4 8’s. I wished I had all 8’s. If shipping didn’t cost an arm and a leg, and I weren’t dealing with chemo right now, I would sell you the 2 9’s for 2 8’s plus some extra bones.
The 9’s are fine, but it is easier with them all the same length with trees. I plan to get trees this year and big boards. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1308
Location: WI | I like the Custom X / Chaos rods. I did have one reel seat break and start spinning around the blank this year, but the others have been fine. I like 8’ for boards (solo netting with boards sucks with 9’) and 7’ for prop wash/down rods. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 364
Location: Vilas County, WI | Another vote for Shimano TDR's. Very affordable and hold up well; although as mentioned above I've lost one eyelet insert in the last 5 years. I run 8 footers using them for both down rods and planer boards. Then in the fall I use the same rods for dragging suckers.
I would need some convincing to justify spending 100 bucks on a trolling rod. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1462
| TheShow - 2/3/2026 4:53 PM
Another vote for Shimano TDR's. Very affordable and hold up well; although as mentioned above I've lost one eyelet insert in the last 5 years. I run 8 footers using them for both down rods and planer boards. Then in the fall I use the same rods for dragging suckers.
I would need some convincing to justify spending 100 bucks on a trolling rod.
Almost exactly my experience as well. |
|
| |
