I have bulit a few Rainshadow ISA1266f for trolling Atlantic salmon and sea trout.
I'm quite satisfied with these, but they lack a bit of backbone when fighting bigger salmon.

Is there an good alternative which can match heavier salmon (15-30 lbs)?
It is essential that the tip is sensitive enough for showing that the crankbait is swimming well.

Can the rainshadow BP1266 be the right blank for this?

- Occasional amateur rod wrapper -

Hi Audun,
Thank you so much for asking. The BP series is very tough in every way. The short name for the BP is called Bullet Proof! There is no rod blank out there like it. You can also look at the RX6/Eglass Hybrid in the RDR series as well. We troll for salmon using both rod blank models and have 0 complaints about backbone..

The ISA is meant more for the rivers than as a down rigger/trolling rod. But the rod doesnt know that ;)

I would call into our office so we can outfit you with the 100% correct rod blank: 877-875-2381 talk with sales.

R. McBride

Batson Enterprises
BatsonEnterprises.com | RainShadowRodBlanks.com | ALPSForeCast.com | Build2Fish.com

I guess the term trolling was imprecise. We fish norwegian rivers for salmon, without downrigger equipment.
Crank bait is the only force applied to the rod.
What is of importance is to have a rod where:
- the tip indicates that the crank bait wobbles as it should
- there is enough power to fight a heavier salmon

Although I am very pleased with the ISA1266, I think a stiffer alternative would be adequate for the first salmon run, where there are generally heavier salmons.
We ocassionally have 40-pounders in our rivers.

Here in the U.S. anglers fish for river salmon in the size you mention with "hot shot" blanks. "Hot shots" are small, deep-diving plugs you use and simply hold the pole for until you get a strike. These blanks have extreme tapers. They might be just what you want for salmon up to 40 pounds.

Here in the U.S. anglers fish for river salmon in the size you mention with "hot shot" blanks. "Hot shots" are small, deep-diving plugs you use and simply hold the pole for until you get a strike. These blanks have extreme tapers. They might be just what you want for salmon up to 40 pounds.

Here in the U.S. anglers fish for river salmon in the size you mention with "hot shot" blanks. "Hot shots" are small, deep-diving plugs you use and simply hold the pole for until you get a strike. These blanks have extreme tapers. They might be just what you want for salmon up to 40 pounds.

Here in the U.S. anglers fish for river salmon in the size you mention with "hot shot" blanks. "Hot shots" are small, deep-diving plugs you use and simply hold the pole for until you get a strike. These blanks have extreme tapers. They might be just what you want for salmon up to 40 pounds.

Here in the U.S. anglers fish for river salmon in the size you mention with "hot shot" blanks. "Hot shots" are small, deep-diving plugs you use and simply hold the pole for until you get a strike. These blanks have extreme tapers. They might be just what you want for salmon up to 40 pounds.

Here in the U.S. anglers fish for river salmon in the size you mention with "hot shot" blanks. "Hot shots" are small, deep-diving plugs you use and simply hold the pole for until you get a strike. These blanks have extreme tapers. They might be just what you want for salmon up to 40 pounds.

Mr. Lange,
Is the 10'6" length a must have? It sounds like what you may be after is a Hot Shot blank. We offer several with very fast actions that feature a fast strong taper with sensitive tips. These Hot Shot blanks were designed specifically for using crank baits in Northwestern U.S. rivers for large salmon and steelhead. Our largest model is the HS1025F-M. It's got plenty of muscle and a significant leverage advantage over a 10'6" blank.

-The Batson TEAM
BatsonEnterprises.com

Ha! I didn't see Phil's post(s) before I posted my reply. Hot Shot is the ticket I'm thinking.

-The Batson TEAM
BatsonEnterprises.com