Friends: I have an opportunity to go trolling for lake trout in way northern New England (Moore reservoir and the Connecticut lakes, also Lake Seymour or Willoughby). Sounds like a great excuse to build at least a couple rods. However, and am not very sure what rod(s) to make for this application. I will guess that we will be fishing on top as well as with downriggers. My preference is conventional reels. And not spiral wraps (just cant get used to the idea). Any tips as to blank (even just blank specs), and other nuances? Thanks in advance!

Not having done that particular type of fishing, but assuming it is at least similar to trolling for other freshwater species, you might find that a bass cranking rod blank makes a pretty good live bait/crankbait trolling rod for most any freshwater fish. I use a Seeker model and find it fantastic for we do trolling for bass and stripers.

There was an article in RodMaker a few years ago by a fellow up around the Great Lakes that did quite a bit of trolling for lake trout. I'll dig it out tomorrow and see if I can find any specific blank recommendations for you.

.................

There are a lot of good blanks out there.
For durability and economic price we like the Batson SPG series.
More specific would be in the RDR series.
Depends on line you will be using and how much weight when not downrigging.
As Tom says, Crankbait blanks are another good choice, as are Popping blanks.
here are some links:
[www.schneidersrods.com]

[www.schneidersrods.com]

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

I built a trolling rod for Lake Trout and Northern Pike.

My comments are:
EVA is more durable in rod holders than cork.
spiral wraps to keep the reel upright. (it is a very big advantage for this, I would not fish a conventional trolling rod by choice)
I built on the St Croix SGT70M (No longer available)
If I was going to build another I would certainly use Fiberglass blanks.
I gave been told micro-guides have no advantage for a trolling rod. I may have to test that for myself.

Just my 2 cents.
Good luck with your build.

Doug

I do a lot of trolling on Lake Champlain and other smaller lakes in Vermont for slamon and lakers. Most people here like an 8 foot or longer rod with a slow action that will bend all the way to the reel(like a big C). probably a composite blank would be best that is both strong and resilient. there is a lot of stress to the rod when it is loaded up in a downrigger release when the fish hits and the rod pops up.Some guys like the trolling rods by Fish 307 in Lake George NY,however I find them too lite. when I take inexperinced people out for down deep lakers I use my ugly sticks that I have converted to spiral wraps and neve have had a problem.this is the 8" 3" model big water downrigger rod from Shakespear,Something on that idea would be suitable,in my opinion.

Yes, for downrigger fishing, definitely a strong consideration to glass or composite blanks with moderate or slow action. These bend well down the blank which is needed for cushioning against the downrigger load. Something in 8-10 feet long would be a good choice. Check out the Batsons RDR or BP series. Not sure what the fish size you are seeking but if they are medium trout size fish, check the RDR models for trout and kokanee. I use these for kokanee (land locked sockeye here in the NW) and they are great, but a little soft for bigger fish. If these are too light, check the RDR models in the salmon/steelhead section.

Terry