steelhead

[Fishaholic]

Okay so I dont have a steelhead pole but I do have a 6 foot ugly stick that i have used for seabass and bottom fishing but will a 6 foot ugly stick medium action pile work for steelhead? I was thinking about putting 20 pound braid on it but wasent sure if i could use the pole for steelhead.

thanks
dd

[D-Rock425]

20 pounds a little over kill.  I have 10# and 12# on all my stealhead rods.

[carpsniperg2]

That's what I run on my steelhead rods. My main line is 20lb power pro. My leaders are 12# pline.

[Goldeneye]

You can use that pole.  It'll just have less backbone than your average steelhead rod which means you'll have less control of the fish once hooked.  20# line is overkill for most steelhead purposes.  I usually run 12# test mainline.  Leader is usually a little lighter based on water conditions.   

[Fishaholic]

well I figured that since I dont have a longer pole i would use 20 pound braid. the line dia of 20 braid is 6 pounds I think. I might just try to find a cheap 7 or 8 foot pole for steelhead and salmon. I am just now getting innto fresh water fishing  so im not sure what to use. I salmon fish the hump with spinners but other then that I really dont know what to use.

[D-Rock425]

You can get a nice 8 1/2 foot spinning rod for pretty cheap.  Under $50 .

[gator626]

all I use is 8foot ugly stick with 15 or 20 lbs test in high water but 12 should do ya fine

[Button Nubbs]

Can you use a 6' rod? Sure but you can also use a stick with a piece of line tied to it. The point I'm trying to make is that you can use it but it will not be effective. The reasons steelheaders use such long rods are to keep the line off the water, mend the line and cast smaller lighter more fragile baits further. You can use it for any type of steelhead fishing but it is not going to be effective as I said before, espically when float fishing. I the only place I can see it being mildly semi effective if bobberdoggin or float dragging.
As for line u typically run 50lb braid on my float rods with leaders varying anywhere from 6-17# depending on the water conditions and time of year. For my drifting rods I run 12 to 17lb mono with leaders anywhere from 6-15# again depending on the conditions.
I won't make it to you neck of the woods til Sept or Oct but I have an 8'6" rod you can have to get you started. I caught my first few steelhead on it a long long time ago.

[Fishaholic]

You can get a nice 8 1/2 foot spinning rod for pretty cheap.  Under $50 .

okay any brands that are better then ugly stick? Thats the only brand I use for the ocean.?    how big do steelhead get and what do you use for bait/ lures?

[WSU]

Get an Okuma SST for an entry level rod.  There is a wide variety of bait and lures that work.  Some work better than others at various times.  The one thing I would suggest is to pick one and learn it well.  Don't try to figure out 10 different techniques.  It will make your learning curve years longer.  If it were me, I'd start by learning to fish jigs well (as in, spend a year or 3 doing only that). 

[Fishaholic]

okay do you  run a jig under a bobber?

[D-Rock425]

Yep its very effective.  Sounds like nubbs has a rod for you.

[WSU]

okay do you  run a jig under a bobber?

Enough info to get you started is here: http://www.piscatorialpursuits.com/resourcecenter/floatfishing.htm

[Fishaholic]

Thanks for the offer if I dont buy one before I will take up your offer.

I have used slip bobbers before for catching seabass.
 
what brand of jigs work well? I see so many brands and colors.

[Button Nubbs]

Can't go wrong with pinks, purples, and oranges. Get 1/8 oz jigs, they work well in all water conditions