i have the yellow eagle claws and the okuma blue diamond downrigger ml 8foot 6 rods. the okuma has a better blank, soft but responsive as the eagle claws have a more dead action. the handle takes a while to get used to though, big trangular forgrip is a littler uncomfortable at first, but is easier to hold bigger reels stable when you get used to it. i use it for the down rigger as well as the planer board. i use 4 pound test with it so its fine for what we do. its always used on the planer as it has a gimbal mount that locks it in place which is needed on my boat so i can lock the guides away from the planer line which always seems to come around and hit the rods
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 "
