A do it all shimano travela for hali rock fish and salmon?

Looking to get a travela, I know MooMooOutdoors uses a medium light and brings in big fish. I tried searching for older topics on it. My question is would a medium light be sufficient for trolling halibut with 12oz weights? Would I be better off with something else if I plan on rock fish as well? Trying to keep the sensitivity while not being undergunned. what reel would pair nicely with it? Hopefully something that won't break the bank.

Last year I spent a lot of time trolling the bounce-ball rig, usually with 10oz weight. I use this cheapo rod (7' medium heavy) and it seems just about ideal, action-wise:

https://www.amazon.com/SHIMANO-TDR70MHB-Trolling-Casting-Length/dp/B003ZZAYPS/

Assuming that the ratings are consistent across different models, I think you'll want medium heavy.

Last year I spent a lot of time trolling the bounce-ball rig, usually with 10oz weight. I use this cheapo rod (7' medium heavy) and it seems just about ideal, action-wise:

https://www.amazon.com/SHIMANO-TDR70MHB-Trolling-Casting-Length/dp/B003ZZAYPS/

Assuming that the ratings are consistent across different models, I think you'll want medium heavy.

Thanks, always nice to save a some money and still get a reliable rig. Do you use the bounce ball setup with a crippled anchovy? Not sure if I was working the current correctly, my setup kept  getting twisted up.. even while just drifting. Wasn't even using a flasher.

Last year I spent a lot of time trolling the bounce-ball rig, usually with 10oz weight. I use this cheapo rod (7' medium heavy) and it seems just about ideal, action-wise:

https://www.amazon.com/SHIMANO-TDR70MHB-Trolling-Casting-Length/dp/B003ZZAYPS/

Assuming that the ratings are consistent across different models, I think you'll want medium heavy.

Thanks, always nice to save a some money and still get a reliable rig. Do you use the bounce ball setup with a crippled anchovy? Not sure if I was working the current correctly, my setup kept  getting twisted up.. even while just drifting. Wasn't even using a flasher.

Do you have ball bearing or ball chain swivel to help prevent line twist?

Terminal twist-ups with bounce-ball rigs seem to happen more often either when dropping down too fast relative to paddling speed or when pausing too long while paddling with the rig suspended.    It helps a lot to use a heavy test (stiffer) line between the 3 way swivel and the dodger (and makes it easier to sort out a tangle if it occurs because you can easily see which piece of line is which).

I use 4" or 4.5" hoochies and an expensive ball bearing swivel, and a slider instead of a 3-way (seems to help with some types of snags). But, you should not be getting line twist if you're using a dodger, as it ought to be wobbling back and forth, as opposed to spinning. And FT is exactly right about the heavy line ahead of the dodger---I use 50# mono there.

IMHO, the dodger is the key thing, as different brands produce a lot different action. What I found works best is something that stays low and produces a big wobble at a speed that you I can easily maintain on my kayak*.

Always glad to provide more details if it would be helpful...

I use a trevala ML for basically everything, including sturgeon.

Last year I spent a lot of time trolling the bounce-ball rig, usually with 10oz weight. I use this cheapo rod (7' medium heavy) and it seems just about ideal, action-wise:

https://www.amazon.com/SHIMANO-TDR70MHB-Trolling-Casting-Length/dp/B003ZZAYPS/

Assuming that the ratings are consistent across different models, I think you'll want medium heavy.

A rod which has similar characteristics and a similar price is the Ugly Stick GX2 medium heavy trolling rods in 6.5' or 7', which are rated for 10-25 pound line.  When fishing for bigger fish, I like a rod which has a long handle behind the reel, and which has a section of padded handle in front of the reel, as they give me a lot of power and leverage when hauling in big fish.  Both the Shimano TDR70MBH and the Ugly Stick medium heavy trolling rods have these features. 

When jigging with heavy lures I prefer a pretty stiff rod.  When you jig with a light rod, it bends like a cooked noodle, and you have to raise the rod a couple of feet before the lure heaves up off the bottom and gets launched towards the surface.  For several kinds of fish I try to jig within six inches of the bottom, and I prefer the crisp and accurate jigging action I get from a heavier and stiffer rod.  I also find that when I get a bite, I can set the hook faster and more firmly with a heavier rod.

Welp, walked into outdoor pro shop and due to saving up for a tacoma (need every penny) went with a ugly stick tiger 7" 1 piece med light. Seems the ugly stick is the proven budget go to.  The guy who helped me said the med light is good for detecting a hali bite. I had planned on getting a medium, seems like a topic I found guys have brought in everything from sturgeon to white seabass, so not worried about being undergunned. I will be buy another setup in the next month for my girlfriend. She might get this rig since and I'll upgrade to a travala or something else.

I really appreciate the advice! From what everyone is said im sure I dropped my rig down too quickly. If conditions are ideal this weekend I'll get to test out the new rig and approach to setting my rig.

I primarily fish for halibut in tomales ( 7 trips only 1 keeper) still learning. Seems I might be better off drifting around instead of trolling since the current can rip through the channel. How do you guys troll tomales?

I primarily fish for halibut in tomales ( 7 trips only 1 keeper) still learning. Seems I might be better off drifting around instead of trolling since the current can rip through the channel. How do you guys troll tomales?

You have ten posts now and can check the member hkups and reports.  I've been trolling the same way as in the bay, 8oz cannonball on a slider towing whatever frozen bait on any of the many styles of rigging.  Most use a dodger and a hook with a stinger but I could be wrong...

I primarily fish for halibut in tomales ( 7 trips only 1 keeper) still learning. Seems I might be better off drifting around instead of trolling since the current can rip through the channel. How do you guys troll tomales?

You have ten posts now and can check the member hkups and reports.  I've been trolling the same way as in the bay, 8oz cannonball on a slider towing whatever frozen bait on any of the many styles of rigging.  Most use a dodger and a hook with a stinger but I could be wrong...

Thanks for the heads up I'll have to check it out. I'm probably over thinking it, just need to take everyone's advice and try again.

Yes, the answer is yes

Everyone does it different.
Lots of guys see my setup and laugh in disbelief.... freshwater bass rod, bass bait caster, leader too short, weight too small (i only use 3oz, maybe 4oz MAX) gear too light, blah blah blah.... then tap tap tap.... and I start reeling in fish   
I landed a 34" halibut, multiple 30lb rays/angel sharks at Tomales last year and a 28" salmon recently on this "laughable" setup... but it works for me!

My best advice is to choose a setup/rig that you like and are comfortable with.  Cannonball, sliding rig, 3-way, flasher, dodger, or whatever... they all work.  Choose one and modify it so that it works for you.  When you're catching fish, no one can say that you're doing something wrong.

Just keep trying. I'm a total noob too so thats the only advice I got. Just keep trying and learning and by the time the halibut bite really gets going in tomales it will be game on