Had great luck with these downrigger rods.
Shakespheare BWD 1101 9'0 ft Ugly Stik Downrigger rod, fiberglass/light action 6-20 lb. This is there standard downrigger rod.
Also I have Shakespheare Cateva IM-8 grafite rods, model DR6080 8' med - light action. I consider it an ultra light rod and real whippy but strong enough for downrigger use.
I use invincible guide select rods model #4200-86mstc2 with okuma magda 20 reels , great setup 8'6 rod medium action line weight 8-15 lb bought them at wildlife taxidermy for 20 bucks .also have shimano downrigger rods but they are medium to heavy a bit to heavy for salmon around here so I use them for strippers "reel it in "
