Salmon trolling rod recommendation

^^^^^  very good review!  I especially appreciate the descriptions on what doesnt work 
If anybody is into spinning reel, Okuma has a new spinning reel rod called the Monterey, which they claim is for salmon, halibut, and sturgeon.  It looks awesome, but slightly more that what I mentioned and I dont use spinning reel for the ocean bigger fish.

Oh I have an Okuma Cedros 801 mh that I forgot to mention. Very similar to the 807 abyss. Soft tip, lots of backbone. Shoot, I think I may have a rod buying problem 

This is only my second salmon season, but here is what I learned.

Now, keep in mind this applied to trolling with a downrigger from a kayak, and it may not work for other setups or people with different preferences. And also keep in mind that I’m new to this so maybe the pros can chime in

Basically, a rod with a light (10-15lb  braid) power that’s 9ft long and has two pieces. Here’s why:

- a light rod can bend a lot. Visually, this helps to see when the line is pulled from the DR clip, but more importantly it helps in eating up slack and keeping the tension on the line.
- after salmon bite, they come to the surface, and when they do tricks, they can dislodge the barbless hook. A tall rod can be swung to eat up the slack fast and keep the line tight. This is harder to do with a shorter rod.
- the terminal tackle (flasher, leader, etc.) can be 5 ft long or more, and a tall rod can reel the fish closer to the kayak for netting.
- a 2 piece rod is very compact to stow on the kayak for launch and landing.

I’ve checked out the Shimano Trevala Medium Light  (7ft) rod and it’s too stiff. The Lamiglas X-11 checks all the boxes, but it’s too fragile. I want a dependable rod that doesn’t break.

This is only my second salmon season, but here is what I learned.

Now, keep in mind this applied to trolling with a downrigger from a kayak, and it may not work for other setups or people with different preferences. And also keep in mind that I’m new to this so maybe the pros can chime in

Basically, a rod with a light (10-15lb  braid) power that’s 9ft long and has two pieces. Here’s why:

- a light rod can bend a lot. Visually, this helps to see when the line is pulled from the DR clip, but more importantly it helps in eating up slack and keeping the tension on the line.
- after salmon bite, they come to the surface, and when they do tricks, they can dislodge the barbless hook. A tall rod can be swung to eat up the slack fast and keep the line tight. This is harder to do with a shorter rod.
- the terminal tackle (flasher, leader, etc.) can be 5 ft long or more, and a tall rod can reel the fish closer to the kayak for netting.
- a 2 piece rod is very compact to stow on the kayak for launch and landing.

I’ve checked out the Shimano Trevala Medium Light  (7ft) rod and it’s too stiff. The Lamiglas X-11 checks all the boxes, but it’s too fragile. I want a dependable rod that doesn’t break.

I used to have 9ft 2-piece okuma sst.  It does all the right bending to keep the line tight, which is very good.  But all it takes is for the rod to pop during a fight with salmon (and some hali & rock fish), then you will think twice.  I put blue tape just to keep it on for sure, but its just not the same.  But that's probably because i dont want to learn to deal with it 

This is only my second salmon season, but here is what I learned.

Now, keep in mind this applied to trolling with a downrigger from a kayak, and it may not work for other setups or people with different preferences. And also keep in mind that I’m new to this so maybe the pros can chime in

Basically, a rod with a light (10-15lb  braid) power that’s 9ft long and has two pieces. Here’s why:

- a light rod can bend a lot. Visually, this helps to see when the line is pulled from the DR clip, but more importantly it helps in eating up slack and keeping the tension on the line.
- after salmon bite, they come to the surface, and when they do tricks, they can dislodge the barbless hook. A tall rod can be swung to eat up the slack fast and keep the line tight. This is harder to do with a shorter rod.
- the terminal tackle (flasher, leader, etc.) can be 5 ft long or more, and a tall rod can reel the fish closer to the kayak for netting.
- a 2 piece rod is very compact to stow on the kayak for launch and landing.

I’ve checked out the Shimano Trevala Medium Light  (7ft) rod and it’s too stiff. The Lamiglas X-11 checks all the boxes, but it’s too fragile. I want a dependable rod that doesn’t break.

Im definitely no pro and am still a learning newbie, but here's my 2 cents. You should be focused more on the "action" than the "power". My understanding is that you would want a Slow or Moderate action for salmon, which will give you a better parabolic bend. Swinging the rod seems strange and maybe might lead to high sticking. And I think a longer rod would make it harder to get the fish in close. This also makes me think you might be accidentally high sticking. To have three broken rods over two years tells me it might not be the rod. Also, I have always secured my one piece rods to the side of my Revo and haven't had an issue when I yard. I think you might like the Phenix 805 or the Lami Classic, which is fiberglass and not graphite

Thanks Yak^3.
What do you mean pop? It broke? Or the pieces came apart?

One more thing I learned is that graphite rods, like the X-11, are hollowed. I think your Okuma is graphite too. This makes them lighter. To achieve this, the material (graphite) has to be stiffer. That’s why they snap back to position faster and that’s why, when you pull them hard, they’ll break. Other than being light, they are more sensitive. However, to me, light and sensitive are irrelevant for trolling.

Fiberglass rods, on the other hand, are not hollowed. This makes them heavier and less sensitive, but they would be more flexible, allowing more of the rod to bend without breaking. So I think I should be looking for a fiberglass (or similar construction) rod

Thanks Yak^3.
What do you mean pop? It broke? Or the pieces came apart?

One more thing I learned is that graphite rods, like the X-11, are hollowed. I think your Okuma is graphite too. This makes them lighter. To achieve this, the material (graphite) has to be stiffer. That’s why they snap back to position faster and that’s why, when you pull them hard, they’ll break. Other than being light, they are more sensitive. However, to me, light and sensitive are irrelevant for trolling.

Fiberglass rods, on the other hand, are not hollowed. This makes them heavier and less sensitive, but they would be more flexible, allowing more of the rod to bend without breaking. So I think I should be looking for a fiberglass (or similar construction) rod

Pieces came apart, so its probably because of my fishing style (I like to point out the rod to the water to prevent fish from jumping out of the water).
Also, what PorkchopExpress said about action is very true.  Whenever you can, you should look for Slow or Moderate whenever possible.  However, Slow or Moderate rods seem hard to find, so I resolve to accept Fast or Moderate Fast, but with lower line rating than what I used to compensate the action (i.e. I usually use 25-40 lbs line, so I would take a Fast rod with 8-20 line rating).
Keep in my these are my 2 cents, so yours could be different.

My understanding is :
Power is how much force is needed to bend the rod. For me, for salmon, light is better than heavy.
Action is *where* the rod bends when weight is applied. Fast means it bends at the top and has a stiff main body, while slow means it bends all the way. And I agree that slower action is better as it would allow the rod to bend more.
I also agree regarding line rating.
Good advice! Thanks

This thread has been very informative!  I only actually fished for salmon a couple times when the bite was hot in Monterey, and haven't done any trolling just mooching.  The fish that I caught grabbed the bait and ran for the surface, and had to reel like hell to catch up with them, and then when they hit the surface, the fight was on, and I was thankful for having a long bendy rod to absorb the thrashing. 

If one were to choose one of these Phenix Cicada rods for downrigger trolling for salmon, which one would you go with?
I'm thinking the 4th one down the list: 9' Mod. Fast 10-30lb.

Thoughts? Other than that they're quite expensive.

https://phenixrods.com/product/cicada-casting/

If one were to choose one of these Phenix Cicada rods for downrigger trolling for salmon, which one would you go with?
I'm thinking the 4th one down the list: 9' Mod. Fast 10-30lb.

Thoughts? Other than that they're quite expensive.

https://phenixrods.com/product/cicada-casting/

That handle will not work well in most rodholders for trolling. A full rear handle will sit in the holder better. I have 2 of the new style M1 rods with the flared rear handle like that. I really like casting them, but they don’t sit in kayak rod holders very well. Also I would bet that the tip would be somewhat soft and then transition into a strong backbone. For a downrigger I really prefer a downrigger specific rod that is softer and loads all the way to the grip.

If one were to choose one of these Phenix Cicada rods for downrigger trolling for salmon, which one would you go with?
I'm thinking the 4th one down the list: 9' Mod. Fast 10-30lb.

Thoughts? Other than that they're quite expensive.

https://phenixrods.com/product/cicada-casting/

That handle will not work well in most rodholders for trolling. A full rear handle will sit in the holder better. I have 2 of the new style M1 rods with the flared rear handle like that. I really like casting them, but they don’t sit in kayak rod holders very well. Also I would bet that the tip would be somewhat soft and then transition into a strong backbone. For a downrigger I really prefer a downrigger specific rod that is softer and loads all the way to the grip.

+1

Thanks. I might just stop at West Marine and take a look one day.

+1 Phoenix 807

There's one 9' lamiglas battle glass rod on the rack at Dick's in Daly City - $109 retail - FWIW. I liked the feel of the rod, but just felt a little too long for the kayak for my preferences.

Cheers,
Brad

I have a 9' Okuma SST salmon rod and it has been manageable for trolling so far, I like it and I think I can net a big boy with it.

All salmon are hypothetical up to this point tho....

Its kinda nice when the terminal gear is like 4-5 ft long to have that longer rod. I thought 9ft was way too long but it feels fine now (especially when its bent in half with a fish on the end).