Thread: Rod and reel selection advice

OK so let's get this out in the open. First off I'm operating under a budget. I understand outriggers, downriggers and t top rocket launchers are optimal for trolling. Yet I am asking this next question to adapt to current boat set up. "Does anyone have advice on decent quality yet affordable 8 to 10 ft conventional medium heavy to heavy action rods preferably with at least rod tip rollers. Reason I'm asking is I want to find longer rods that I can place in port and starboard outrodders for trolling. Looking for longer conventional rods so I can increase my spread width and obviously use conventional offshore reels. To add a twist no pun intended could I use 8 to 10 ft + medium to heavy action spinning rods without obviously rollers for trolling once again in port and starboard outrodders." I have plenty of shire and pier fishing experience along with freshwater boat fishing experience. But just acquired first boat for inshore and nearshore use and have a learning curve approaching like a brick wall in far as trolling is concerned. I'm looking to be able to put out a 4 pole spread in an inverted v without outriggers or downriggers for kings, and whatever else I can manage to get myself into as time goes on. I'd appreciate all info I can get.

unless you have outriggers even with 10' pole you wont get the desired spread. what i did when i had a boat i ran 2 top water and 2 diving baits and staggered the amount i let them out behind the boat. i let the tops out about 20 yrds apart and did same for diving baits.

2nd'ing the suggest for 2 diving and 2 on top, that is what I have always done.

As other said, Extra foot or two of rod length is not going to make a difference.
You need to stagger the depth and distance back to avoid tangle.
My old boat had stern rod holders on either side of the motor that went about straight back. Forward on the gunwale were one on each side that were angled almost perpendicular to the hull.
By staggering length & depth, I could easily troll 4 lines with the same length rods.
Longer lines on the outside & forward, shorter & deeper on the inside.

Other than that, outriggers or floating spreader boards are the only way to get a truly wider spread. GOtta have a pretty big boat for outriggers. Spreaders can be a pain in the ass to run, only work at slow trolling speeds, I've never seen them used in saltwater.