Ok, time to weigh in with your opinions.

I think I'm going to ask TH to make me up a new rod for king fishing out in the salt. I'd like to stick with *1* rod (yeah I know, not possible). Debating the 1264 vs the 1265. I want this rod to be versatile enough to use as a downrigging rod, but also be able to use it as a mooching rod and/or a rod good enough to troll a fish-flash, herring ,etc.

Not too sure what makes a normal rod a "downrigger" rod.

Not too sure if I should look in to a rod that uses a knucklebuster type reel, or if I should just stick with a rod that uses a standard level wind?

I like the idea of a knucklebuster DR rod, but I don't know how versatile of a rod that would be? I know nothing about knuclebusters, really. Never used one, but they look like fun.

Please chime in. I'd like to hear from TH, Sky-Guy, Rapid Robert, Doc, and others who use those rods and have opinions.

Thanks!

Ever thought about trying your spey rod?

I have a TH 1264 spinning rod which is rated for something like 15-20 lbs and is 10.5 ft. It is pretty stout. A little bit heavy for a steelhead rod but is the right size for Kings. I have it rigged with a Stradic and braided line for bobber fishing. As a casting rod it may be a little too long for a downriggin or trolling rod but it would be perfect when it is unclipped to fight a big salmon.

Did you buy a boat yet or are you still hitchhiking?

Hey Parker-

Good choice on blanks, I would go with the 1264.

For mooching it's a light rod and the length makes it easy to work a jig. For trolling it really loads up huge on a downrigger. I really tighten down on my clip when trolling with the rod tip about even to the bottom eye on the rod. Upon release from the DR clip, I get about a 5 foot rip on the fish to pull slack and help set the hook before I even get my hands on it. Nice with barbless.


Mine's a RainShadow 1264 wrapped for me with custom cork config'd to make the butt fit in a rod holder better and provide a better grip above the reel for playing a fish.

Here's the pics and specs:

10 inches overall length from the butt to the reel seat. 8 inches of straight cork. (Some Rods of this type are too short in the butt, and you want the length so it fit's all the way into a DR rod holder.)


Above the reel seat 12 inches cork with the top half an ergo handpiece that you'd normally see on a flyrod.


Long reel seat to fit the standard 2 3/4" footing on a knucklebuster.






In Terms of versatility, I use this rod and reel for all my salt water salmon fishing with the exception deep winter BM fishing; in that case I'll throw my Calcutta 400 on the same rod. Retreiving from deep depths all day with 1:1 can be tiresome.

Like I said recently, this rod and reel setup is a long and limber fish killer. The length and action of the 1264 blank make it easy to keep pressure on the fish, and the reel type allows for super smooth line release when the fish wants to run.

I know you know how to fight a fish, Once you get one hooked with this setup the landing percentage is pretty high.

The only thing I would change about this rod is the reel seat. I had one wrapped for my brother with an Anodized Forecast reel seat and it's the bomb.


Have fun with your purchase, and let us know what you decide on.

Parker, you'll get to see mine in action soon enough. I can't say enough about the Loomis 1265 rated 10-40#. If the TH 1265 is based on a similar taper and action, you can't go wrong.

A lot of guys freak out about that 40# rating... I wouldn't sweat it. The rod has such a progressive forgiving action that can handle a wide range of lines. It's got enough reserve in the butt to handle a 70# king, but it's not too much of a meat-stick for a 10# coho... honest. I also believe the big heavy bend in this rod helps keep a fish stuck during the fight... well, that's if the the guy behind the reel has the wherewithall to keep a deep heavy bend in the rod.

If you intend to catch kings with your new stick, the worst thing in the world is having a rod that "runs out of butt".

ISA 1266
10'6" 12-25#
Itis the RX7 material, blank weighs less than 5oz
it is the one you want!
I'd say stay with the casting style reel set, just my opinion

I have a Rainshadow 1264 that I use for mooching and trolling for chinook in Alaska. I also use it for jigging 8oz Darts for medium depth (150'-250') bottom fish. Brought up a 70lb halibut from 180' from directly below the boat with no problem and I mean I had that rod loaded. As previously mentioned, this rod is a little on the heavy side for steelhead/coho but it is an excellent choice for chinook.

Beezer

TH Rainshadow DR1264's work for me, in the Gorge!

Parker,
I don't know much about rods, but I've used a knuckle-buster for 4 years. I fished up in Nootka and we all bought them on the way in. They are real fun to use, and for the most part I was very happy with it. I've landed salmon from 8 to 28 pounds on it.
Then I got the opportunity to sportsfish while on a vessel charter in the Charlottes. I hooked up with 4 springs......the one I landed was #25 pounds, and I saw all 4 fish. None seemed to be any smaller, and at least one was a lot bigger. the inexpensive Shimano 2000GT was NOT up to the job. first, unless you have hands of steel, or are wearing fishing gloves, to do a 'friction' break, you have to reach in through the spinning reel to adjust the drag. Second, the drag adjusts fine up to a point, and then it is basically locked down (at least in my experience). I am certain I would have landed another fish or two (deck was 12' off the water) if I had been using my baitcaster type Penn reel. If you want to go for a knucklebuster, consider paying a couple hundred and getting a very good one.

My 2 cents.

Can anyone out there get me cost, or at least a "guides discount" on an Islander MR-2 or the ARMR-2 reel?

$500 retail is a little on the steep side for me.

I use the Shimano 4000GT and like it alot.... It has a very smooth drag. I agree that the 2000GT sucks.

I recently briefly used Vedder's Islander, and honestly prefer my Graphite Shimano over it. The Islanders have long been a reel I would really like to own, but I found the Shimano to have a larger arbor which allows for faster line retrieval, and it's much lighter than the Islander. I am not saying I wouldn't like to own one though!

My brother works at Mountain Safety Research downtown and gets pro deals on lots of stuff.....so I had him call Islander to check on their pro deal and they basically gave him the finger. Seems like no one gets deals on these reels.
So..... if you want one.... it looks like you have to pony up with the big bucks!

Hey Vedder, I hear from Sky-Guy that your Islander sucks. You'd better sell it me. Cheap too, seeing how it is used.

Looks like Parker will be looking in to the Shimano 4000GT.....

FYI for Parker, Sky Guy et all. A quote from the Holiday Market (located in Burlington, WA) email newsletter dated June 21, 2006:

As an Islander reel dealer, we have just received our initial allotment of Islander’s new MR3 Series of mooching reels. Although the MR3 has that distinctive Islander appearance that exudes quality and durability, it has a number of unique features that distinguish it from the popular MR-2 and ARMR-2 mooching reels.
Notable features of the MR-3 include a large ventilated arbored spool that provides two to three times the retrieval rate of standard arbor reels and is lighter than its MR-2 and ARMR-2 counterparts.

The MR-3 has a large 2 7/16" drag surface using Islander’s incomparable graphite impregnated cork material in conjunction with a dual phosphor bronze pawl, thus creating a drag system with tremendous stopping power.

This new model easily converts from right to left hand retrieve, has a convenient large sculptured drag knob, smooth stainless steel bearings, and large contoured palming rim and handles. Surprisingly, despite a generous line capacity of 350 yards of 30 pound mono, the MR-3 is over 3 oz lighter than the MR-2 and ARMR-2 mooching reels.

Like all Islander reels, each model is individually serialized and designed to withstand the rigors of saltwater. Construction is of solid bar stock marine grade aluminum and naval brass. Like all Islanders, these are truly lifetime reels.

Again that quote above was from the Holiday Market Newsletter.

OBTW Parker, if you have to know how much it costs.........

Beezer

TH - you have email!

I had TH make me a 1266 its a great rod, bought it as mooching rod for AK but it is a great downrigger rod also, I love it for all applictaions even back bouncing cause it has great feel, go with the woven grafite handle.

ok Mr. parker, right back at you

TH made me a DR1264 as a mooching rod a couple years back. I guess its technically a Downrigger rod but it makes a killer mooching rod.

I've landed Kings to the mid 30's and lots of Blackmouth as well. Even 6-8lb Blackmouth are fun on this rod.