crankin pole

I always forget what I have.  Either 7'6" or 8'6".  Really, it probably doesn't matter.

Some absolutely love the shorty rods.  I don't have them, never used them, so don't know.  Had the 7'6" rods so there was no need for me to buy them.

If you are running four rods at a time I'd say roll with the 7'6" rods and then get  complementary 10'6" to 14' rods.  I would like to try some 12 footers but I have enough crank rods for now.

As for action, I have all Scheels rods.  I'm happy with them for sure.  Haven't tried any others so I can't comment.  I'll have to look at my action on the rod.  Every rod is different so you might have to wait for some Cabelas rod handlers to see what they think.  I know the actions on my Scheels rods are good enough for me.

Sorry I couldn't offer more.

I have several of the Depthmaster rod's and like them for the most part.  I'd suggest the 9' planer board model, the handles on the rods are really long so having that extra length over the 8'6" is nice.  Action is good, I have caught hundreds of fish on them and have no complaints.

Don't quite like the Cabelas 5' rods compared to the Scheels 5' rods I have though.  I've messed with both, running Powerpro or leadcore, and really prefer the Scheels rods.  But, for $14, you probably can't go wrong. 

Tim Sandstrom Said:

I would like to try some 12 footers but I have enough crank rods for now.

Huh? I don't think its possible to have enough? 

I've used the 8'6" and 9' cabelas planer board rods and have been very pleased with them.  They have a good soft tip which is a must with fireline.  The 12 foot scheels rods aren't too bad, but i haven't caught alot of fish with them since I just bought them.

Well if I had a 20' boat to store more I'm sure I'd buy more!!!

At the rate I'm going my trolling rods will fill the locker of even a bigger boat LOL!  I keep thinking 12's or 14's will be next but just can't bring myself to do it.  I've used 12's in other boats and the length just doesn't gain me much over the 9's and 10'6's.  Boards come out if I need more than that.  But, storage is the #1 issue right now LOL!

I have two cabelas and two okumas and two bass pro designed by Gary Parsons the feel and action of the bass pro rods are way better than the others they run 69 a piece for 7'6 or 8 foot telescopic. Also have 12. Foot rods that are two piece but haven't tried those but will have two next year.

I have the IM7's from Scheels, awesome rods and great reals. Talk to Bacon, he has the basic set up as i have but he also runs the 14's and the shorties. The Scheels rods IMO are the best out there plus free replacement for life.

 I use planer boards and hate them, I would prefer a longer rod.

Gosh, those 14' rods just seem like they'd be too much.  I don't want to be standing on the bow to get the fish in.  The 10'6s seem to be about all I want to handle.  Boards sure can be a pain, but I can spread them way farther apart than with the longest rods out there.  You'd put the boards out 25' and you're covering more water than 14's I'd guess, and usually I run them much further on calmer days.  I don't believe the coverage the boards (or longer rods for that matter) provide is needed much of the time.  But, longer rods sure keep the lines from fouling as much. 

Maybe I fished with the long, long rods a lot I would love them.  I know others hate the shorty rods because you have so little leverage on fish.  I do enjoy however getting new people in the boat and watching them try to land a fish for the first few times.  Doesn't seem like you can tell them enough times to leave lots of line and not reel to the tip, they always do it anyway LOL!

So do you guys think
that the medium action would be okay its just that I'm ordering them off the net so I really can't feel it first hand and I plan on running fire line right away but some day maybe experiment with lead core

One more question how much does the telescoping take up when you push it in I think I'm going with the 9 or the 8.5 but a little worried about room

I keep two of the 8'6" in my in ground storage which says the max length is 7". I have to give them a little extra nudge but they go in. My rods are scheels outfitters so can't say for sure about the cabelas rods.

That should be 7' ....

 I experience says that the medium action is the best for the fish we seek around here. I was told once that you can get by with cheaper rods, just get as good a reel as you can afford. I personally like a rod that has good sensitivity but with a lot of back bone. 

My 8'6" telescoping walleye angler rods collapse to 7'2".   My 2 piece Scheels 10'6" rods break down into two 5+ footers.  I also have the Scheels 5 footers.  They all have braid or leadcore on 'em and work great.  

In an emergency with the longer rods, break them down  or collapse them if you absolutely have to, to net the fish.    I fish alone alot with those 8'6" rods and will almost ALWAYS collapse the rod to  the 7' length just before I net the fish.  DON'T recall ever losing a fish because i was collapsing the rod.   We're talking hundreds of walleye here too.  

Just crawled out into the garage rod storage locker.  I do have two Cabelas depth master medium trolling rods.    They are pretty stiff rods in my opinion and I would not use them for braid if at all possible.    They have been up in the storage area for years.  Why, because I got them at a good price and didn't/don't like them over what other rods I have.   They'll get pulled out only if I have company along and can't get by with those other rods mentioned above.    These are 7'6" rods, two piece i believe; don't want to run out again to look!!

My opinion.  Good price for a not so usable rod at least in my scenario. 

I run two 14 ft, two 10 ft, and two 5 ft rods. I had my 14 yr old and 12 yr old sons landing fish within a day on the water with the long poles. All you have to do is leave out enough line and sweep the rod forward and bring the fish to the net. It isn't real hard.