I have played around with trolling swimbaits and am planning on getting more serious with it. I would like to use some of my existing tackle if possible. In the past when I have trolled I used a 6500C with braid, then 3 colors of leadcore and about 20' of 25lb. maxima. At the speeds I troll this would get one of the old school castiac trout (hard head/soft body) down around 28 ft. Caught a few large mouth to 7lb. and a 5 lb.smallie. I was using a flippin stick for this but was really not happy with it. I have several rods I use in salt water and was thinking of using either a Calstar 700XLH or 700L. Any of you have any opinions on which rod would be better? I am kind of leaning towards the XLH because it is a little lighter and in the 7' length might give a little more when those fatties are close to the boat. Is a 7' rod going to present any problems that you guys can think of? I have been pretty happy with the reel set-up and will continue to use that.
Thanks, Dylan

Dylan

If you want to save a few bucks, check out the Okuma CP-C-701ML. It's a 7 foot glass rod, steel guides type deal but totally applicable for trolling. I use that rod when I troll braid and heavier line. They're very inexpensive.