Downrigger trouble!!

[Mikeps326]

I went to cabelas last weekend and boy do I think fishing is one hell of an addiction especially when you have at least 25 years of experience but I just bought 2 downriggers and their arm length is only 2 ft off the boat but my rods at 8.6 feet long but will that be a problem is my question?

Thanks guys,
Mike

[waynedane]

I don't think it should be a problem, you'll be putting your rods up at a high angle not straight out. At least that's what I do.

[REDman]

I have the same set up on my boat Mike You should be perfectly fine I don't prefer the longer rods for anything downrigger's planet boards

[REDman]

I do**

[briansnat]

Rod length is not an issue at all (other than going too short). I prefer 7 ft rods on my down riggers but there is no reason you can't use longer rods. It's more a matter of your rod's action. A 7 ft UL or L rod will not work on a downrigger very well. I find M or MH rods work best.

[jimmythegreek]

actually for NJ waters a L action is what you want, and a downrigger rod has a slow soft action meant to stay bent under the pressure of a release clip. Your average downrigger rod is 8' some like shorter I prefer longer, I use uglystik 8.6" L downrigger rods and I use the same rods for trolling live bait for hybrids. M and MH are preferred for planer board rods in the 7.6" length is whats most common, and your longer 9-10 ft rods are usually for dipsey divers. Dicks carries a nice ulgystik downrigger rod in 8 or 8.6 length in light action for 50-60 bucks and is a perfect rod for NJ, you can do almost anything with it, match it up to a linecounter reel and you are all set. As to the setup of the downriggers you can place your rod holders at diff angles to adjust to the trolling blowback. When pulling cowbells and setups that have alot of blowback you may be behind the boat as much as 15-20 ft when u reach the ball so the bend doesnt matter. A small spoon or a live shiner/herring has the least blowback and even then w a bent rod in the holder you will be fine, adjust where the rod sits and 45 in off the boat instead of to the side or even go straight back. I like to put the most bend in the rod as possible and my tips are below the boat sides sometimes touching the water, the more loaded the rod the better chance of a hookup