Polar Bears: A Photo Gallery of Everyone's Favorite Arctic Creature

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For saltwater trolling, most Alaska anglers use a stiff, heavy-weight trolling or downrigger rod, usually seven to eight-and-a-half feet long, with medium-fast action, to handle the increased resistance from weights, flashers, and planers. A high-quality, levelwind inshore reel (such as a Shimano TLD, Daiwa Sealine, or Ambassadeur 7000 series) capable of holding at least 250 yards of 25-pound test is used. Lighter gear can be employed when fishing from downriggers.

Mooching rods for Alaska are generally longer, more limber, and with faster action, and are usually mated with sturdy bait casters or special mooching reels capable of holding 200 yards of 20-pound test. Jigging rods are generally short (six to seven feet) and stout, with a fast, cue-stick taper for working lures vertically and producing a strong hookset. Reels are generally the same size as those used for trolling or mooching, with strong drags and spooled with 25- to 40-pound mono.