Rod Advice

[92xj]

First, Im stupid when it comes to this west coast fishing stuff.  I am in the process of learning and needing some guidance.  I want to purchase a new rod for salmon/steelhead.  I want a dual purpose rod. I will be trolling with a downrigger half the time and casting the other half.  I know it would be best to get two different set ups but for now, lets just stick to one set up that will work for both. I know it won't be best for both.  I have a budget of $150 max for the rod.  I am thinking a length of 9' or 9'6".  What is your opinion on what to buy?  A rod from Cabelas would be nice, to use up some cabelas points to save a little money, but still a 150 buck total limit, but thats not a deciding factor.  What shall I get?

[FC]

Look at some of the medium or light salmon rods by UglyStick in the 8'6" range. Ripper and I both use these for dowrigger rods and they work well. They also work well for jigging flounder (feeling a bite).

For a reel have a look at the Okuma Convector. I've had Penns and Shimano's and I keep pulling out the Okuma to fish, going on about 10 years now too.

[Rick]

I'd buy two less expensive rods than try and make one rod work. A DR rod and a rod you're gonna cast with are two dfferent beasts. A DR rod is gonna have a moderate or slow action to bend over its entire length.

I'd be in a bad mood if I was forced to fish for steelhead with a DR rod.

I'd look at a Shimano TDR for a DR rod. You'll probably run across them for about $30. I'd spend the balance on a steelhead/salmon casting rod. Look at Berkley "Air" rods. They run about $70 and are pretty hard to beat for the money. Another would be an Okuma SST,about the same price as the Berkley.

For steelhead/salmon I'd look for something rated 8-17lbs.

[Cap.Silver]

I'd say for DR rod buy Daiwa at sportco for $19 -if it explodes ,so what ...... get a better rod for river or bank fishing wher the bite feel is more important ...... I cannot see myself spend $ 150 on rod ( I have about 15  ) and yes medium light 9'6" or 10'would work great for spinner ,it is tougher for baitcaster to find good inexpensive rod with good feel ....

[Mossy]

I can tell you what not to get....shimano scimitar rods.  I've been a pretty loyal shimano fan for years but this past week of Ilwaco fishing, that has changed.  I have a clarus rod for bass and have had no problems.  I brought two 8'6" rods, one brand new, the other a year old.  Another guy on the trip bought a new one on my recommendation.  After 2 days, not a tip left on our scimitar rods.  The guy that bought the new one broke his tip, used one of those tip replacements the next day and it broke behind the fix and then the rod just snapped at the 2pc joint reeling in his diver later that day.  Great bass rods but don't seem to fare with constant pressure.
I would seriously look into the griggs rods.  They are about half your budget and have held up for me.

[Button Nubbs]

Your gonna be hard pressed to find one rod for both. I would get a beater rod for the boat and a better rod for salmon/steelhead in the rivers. Forget about anything under 9'6" for the river rod. Float fishing is a big part of river fishing for salmon/steelhead and anything under that mark will drive you nuts and decrease your hook-up ratio.
Having one all around rod is tough, if I had to pick just one for everything I think it would be a lami cert pro 10' 8-17lb, it would work off the rigger and is a great all around river rod, but a little outside of your range.

[TONTO]

 You might check out the Okuma SST line and pick yourself up two for the price. I have several of the SSTs in different styles. No complaints. They make a nice 10'6" 15-50# herring rod for trolling and I love my SST salmon spin 10' 10-30# for throwing stuff.  Can useualy find either on sale 50-60 bucks.

[bone collector 12]

I would buy a cheaper heavy action rod for the DR,and a medium or medium-light rod for the bank,where are you located i have a DR rod i could probably give to you the problem is it dont break down so i cant mail it,ill be in kelso longview area labor day weekend and the weekend after that

[Huntbear]

Bob's in Longview has some awesome glass rods, I believe made by Shimano..  They are like 24.00 ea.  When they received these rods in, one of the ladies behind the counter took one "fishing".  She was casting 20 oz. of lead with a rod rated for 5 oz., she could not get it to break.  I bought one for a boat rod, works great, handles fish great...

Then spend 100.00 on a decent drift rod like an okuma or a lower end lamiglass...  end of story..

Or buy 2 Okuma's.  Most Bi Marts have them for about 75.00 ea....

[sirmissalot]

Bob's in Longview has some awesome glass rods, I believe made by Shimano..  They are like 24.00 ea.  When they received these rods in, one of the ladies behind the counter took one "fishing".  She was casting 20 oz. of lead with a rod rated for 5 oz., she could not get it to break.  I bought one for a boat rod, works great, handles fish great...

Then spend 100.00 on a decent drift rod like an okuma or a lower end lamiglass...  end of story..

Or buy 2 Okuma's.  Most Bi Marts have them for about 75.00 ea....

 

[BigGoonTuna]

get a cheap downrigger rod, you can pick them up for $25 or so.  spend a little more on a river rod, you'll need some sensitivity for that.

[Dhoey07]

Any rod with the sensativity to fish smaller rivers for steelhead with not have the backbone to troll a 11" flasher and cut plug.  Buy two different set ups.  If you clip your flasher to your downrigger and then use the clip for your bait only, then i have had good luck with my ww griggs 8'6" in both applications

[teal101]

Oh cmon Ben, open up that wallet and let me build ya some customs

Agreed with the above.  A DR rod will have a way different action that a casting rod.  I use a H power 9' St.Croix rod for casting salmon and a Lamiglas L power 9' rod for finesse casting.  I built my girlfriends dad a downrigger rod on a 8'-6" blank made by Batson enterprises and spiral wrapped it, sweet rod.  The blank loads real well and is perfect for his style of fishing on DR's, good moderate action.  Too bad he hasnt even taken the boat out yet!

[Ripper]

I just gave FC a cheap Shimano downrigger rod. Ask him if he'll give it to you then buy a Lamiglass river rod for $150.00. Yes FC, it's ok to give it away now that you have the ugly stick. Depending where you are 92, I'll deliver or pay for shipping.

[92xj]

I am in the tri-cities.  I guess I should have mentioned that my river fishing will be on the Columbia and snake.
Thanks for the offer Ripper and FC...  But, I would need/want to pay for it and for your troubles....

Also, once I get a rod or two, anyone want to hit the river? Im hoping I will tag out soon on my deer and then be on the river every weekend till duck season.  I will provide the boat, drinks and company.