I agree with Nick 100% on the spreader bar comment and smaller reels. While at the canyon we run one custom splash bar in the shot gun pos.WTFB and it is always on an Intl 80- 2 speed with a bent but stand up 130 class rod. Lose one of them and we could of purchased an international 50.....
I have not gotten into the troll in Cape cod bay too much as i enjoy the run and gun spin action but for offshore I run a bevy of differnt gear on the whaler
1 80W 2-speed as mentioned above
2 50W's single speed
2 30W's single speed
2 15LT's single speed
2 Accurate Boss 665's single speed
2 Shimanno 6500 spin set ups with metal or bait (rigged in a holder)
They are staggered as such
the 80 WTFB center
then the 2 50's on the outter rigger
Then the 2 30's on the mid rigger
Then the 2 15's on the gunwale
Then the 2 Accurates on flat lines in the prop wash
I use Todd's lures behind Playaction birds and the monster splash bar way back combined with a few jet heads and green machines, feathers, and of course the ugliest cedar plug on the planet.
I have also trolled Chatham with the 20 SeaCraft and my neighbors 23 on the bay both were set up with Gunwale outriggers and were able to troll 6 rods
2 on the riggers outter
2 in the gunwales straight back
2 in the leaning post to flat lines
trolling spreader bars and playaction birds with green machines.
I hope to get into baits next season as the one time we played with them this year we raised a Blue marlin which was a first for me.
If you are looking for rods on a budget check this out
http://www.catfishsupply.net/ProductInfo.aspx?id=908068
I purchased 2 of these rods and they made 4 trips with me I am pretty impressed and will buy more for $44 for an all roller rod it is not too shabby a cape fear it is not but for a budget rod I was pleasantly surprised.