short rigger rods

[sjk984]

I am looking for thought on short rigger rods.

I would like to try my ugly stick MH 6'6".

is there any disadvantages to trying these

And what length do you use

[buster107]

I don't know about disadvantage but I like my 8'6" rigger rods to really load them up!!

[highpointdf]

I am a fan of longer rods, until it's time to store them all. The longer rods feel better to me, more leverage and control. I am not a fan of broom sticks.

[welshgrouser]

We run 7' on our rigger rods. I'm not a fan of them but the kiddo's love them. They are worth there weight in gold to let the little guys handle the big salmon "all by themselves".

[Paulywood]

Steve, I run 7' Daiwa Heartlands on my riggers and love them. I only have 4 rods on my boat longer than 7' 6" and would swap them out for shorter if I could. I actually think it's easier to handle an ornery fish at the back of the boat on shorter rods. And mine are medium lite action.

[Yoda]

We run a 7 foot rods on our charter boat, Can't think of a reason to go any longer than that...

[IRon]

7' Ugly Sticks on my riggers. Only downside is they're 1 piece but have a good parabolic action to them.

[BenLubbs]

I use the same rods as Paulywood except in medium action. I like them because you can really load them up compared to the okuma classics I used to run.

[sherman51]

I use 6'6" whooping sticks from cabelas the ugly stick should work good. the reason I like the short rods is I run 2 riggers 1 off each corner then run 6 divers 3 off each side. it just makes it easier to take my diver rods up and over the short rigger rods. but I am fishing for walleyes. I see no disadvantages to using the shorter rods.

sherman

[FsnMachine]

I like my 9 footers. I like to load them up.

[John E Powell]

Take a look at the Shakespeare Ugly Stik BWD1101 7'0" medium power 2-piece downrigger rod for salmon. It's a very well constructed rod that will hold up to years of use at a reasonable price making it an excellent value. Don't confuse it with the similar BWD1131 7'0" light power 1-piece rod that is better suited to walleye trolling.

[wharfrat]

I second what John said. I have a pair of the 1101's and love them.

[Eyefull]

A shorter rod will always give you more control over fish vs. a longer rod. If you can find a 6'6" rod with the action and power you like, go for it. A rod is a simple lever, unfortunately fishermen are holding the short end of the lever. A shorter rod gives a fish less mechanical advantage over the fisherman vs. a longer one. Non believers can do a simple test of this principle. Take a 6' rod and a 9' rod of equal power and action. Try to pick up a 5# weight with each rod, you will see which one will give you more control of a fish. Loading of rods in a rigger is mainly a feel or preferrence type thing. Hook set is dictated by the release, not the rod. Even a 9' rigger rod with maybe 4' of loading, will never take up the blowback of even a short set rigger ball. If you like short rigger rods, go with them, others like longer rods, there is no wrong answer, fish what works in your program.

[tom]

7' Ugly Sticks on my riggers. Only downside is they're 1 piece but have a good parabolic action to them.

7ft ugly stick one piece 1100's awesome fun on a green fish on a DR. Not made anymore. I want a few if anybody has some. 1101's are 2 piece work well but I'd love to pick up some 1100's.

[Pioneer]

7' TDR medium action, fast tip. Perfect rod IMO.

[ChampionShip]

7' medium 1 pc talora's. Love them.

[Reel Screwd]

I used to run 8'6 but switched to 7 footers last year and Love the shorter rod