I noticed in another post that Schneider's builds the RDR70L for panfish. I always thought of downrigger rods has heavy, but to be honest I've never held one. What's the difference in a downrigger rod and a popping rod?

Hi Marty,
The RDR series is a new design, with the forgiving tip area of fibreglass, with the strength and light weight of graphite in the butt.
The RDR70L is unique in that it has an extremely flexible tip section, that gradually goes into some backbone in the lower half of the rod.
It reminds me of the soft tip of an old Ugly Stik UL rod, but much lighter in the hand, and much better backbone and overall action.
The tip size is only 5.0.
Here is that link;
[www.schneidersrods.com]

Best wishes,
Ron Schneider
Schneider's Rod Shop
Mountain Home, Arkansas
[www.schneidersrods.com]
mtnron40@yahoo.com
870-424-3381

Would you say the tip is softer than my IP840? I just finished the rod and haven't been able to fish it yet, but it seems like a very light rod and soft in the tip.