Hi guys my cousins want me to build their dad a lake trout rod for his retirement. They plan on surprising him with it. I have never built a big lake trout rod and I cant ask him since its a surprise. So I need a little education on lake trout rods so I can build one that he will be happy with. Any blank suggestions to guide sizes would be great.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/07/2019 11:13PM by Justin Carlson.

Any idea on where and what technique is being used? I used a 7 ft. 3 power bass rod for jigging Lake Tahoe, but I wouldn't take it to deep troll situation with downriggers.

Justin,
Here is a good view on potential blank selections for your rod build:

[www.youtube.com]

Another good discussion on potential rods and reels:
[www.roughfish.com]

If it were myself I would go with an 8 foot medium heavy composite -- i.e. part fiberglass casting rod. The composite tip gives a nicer softer tough tip that is ideal for the lakers. Also the use of a conventional casting reel works very well for winching up the big boys from the lake. If trolling, I would certainly go with one of the line counter reels as shown in the first video. For jigging a flipping reel works well to be able to release the reel lock and have the jig plummet to the bottom of the lake to work the big ones.

If I was going to be mainly vertical jigging I would go with a shorter 6 1/2 foot medium heavy rod -- (still with a softer tip) -- due to the lesser exertion required when jigging heavy baits down 90 feet to where the big ones hang out.

Be safe

I would recommend you look at Mudhole cb967
I built two of there for some friends in s w Florida to cast and live bait for snook
They like them a lot
More live bait than casting
And it has the backbone to pull those snook away from docks and mangroves
Give it a look
John d



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/08/2019 08:23PM by John Duncan.