Can someone recommend a good trolling rod for umbrella rigs, hellbenders etc.? The wife loves to cruise around Lake Tawakoni but doesn�t care about fishing so I�m going to fish while she cruises.

Am I the only one that feels if I�m on the boat I have to be fishing? Forget relaxing, I wanna fish!

I use the 7 foot Ugly Stick striper rods with Abu Garcia Ambassador reels when trolling with my downriggers. The rods are cheap and they work great. Fast action tips with a meaty back bone for fighting the bigger fish. Never had any issues with them. Have used them to fish umbrella rigs also and they cast great with the heavy set ups.

Those are the exact rods that I was looking out. Thank you very much for the confirmation. I think I�ll go order a couple now.

That�s what I troll with as well. Never had any issues with them and they have the four way notched butt that locks the direction you want them in the rod holder.

Make sure you get the one piece. Never buy any fishing rod that is a two piece, especially for the bigger and heavier fish. Just my experience is all.

Just looked at mine and they are 7� 6� ML. Work good for me on down riggers and dragging deep cranks.

Abu 6500 is a little weak for reeling in big fish while trolling. I use Shimano Tekota 500LC on a Talora 7' trolling rod. The line counter is a must for serious trolling.