Need rod/reel recommendations?

[cbzdel]

I am looking for get a rod/reel setup in the $150 $200 range that I can use to river bank fishing for salmon and steel head.   I realize there are so many conditions and variables that can go into play when selecting a rod/reel but I am just looking for something basic that can get me into the sport.

[WSU]

What rivers?

[cbzdel]

Nothing is set in stone, just guessing random rivers in Western Washington

[WSU]

One suggestion might be an okuma sst rated 8-12 or 8-17 that is 10' long. Pair that with a decent spinning reel and you have a decently versatile starter setup.

[Dhoey07]

Bait cast or spinning reel?

[cbzdel]

Spinning reel, guess that makes a huge difference haha

[lokidog]

I've been really happy with the Cabelas Saltwater Striker

http://www.cabelas.com/product/cabela-s-salt-striker-174-spinning-reels/1432814.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dsalt%252Bstryker%26x%3D10%26y%3D6%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%252BProducts&Ntt=salt+stryker

reels as they stand up to some pretty hard use bottomfishing on the Sound and off the Coast. We use the SS40 and SS50 with braid.  They are reasonably priced as well.

This model is a bit different though as I have not purchased any for a few years.

[Wetwoodshunter]

I'm a big fan of Pfluger president reels, on a lamiglas x-11 spinning rod. 9'6" if you mostly float fish. 8'6" is a better length if you cast spinners or drift fish.

[hollymaster]

One suggestion might be an okuma sst rated 8-12 or 8-17 that is 10' long. Pair that with a decent spinning reel and you have a decently versatile starter setup.

I have loomis and lamiglas rods and quite a few of them. With that said my sst 9'6" casting rod gets the most use in combat fisheries. 

[eastcoastguy]

I have a g loomis E6X 9'6" and love it.

[fish vacuum]

There are a lot of affordable rods out there that fish very well. Berkley, Okuma, Shimano, and Cabela's make several rods that would be just fine and cost under $100. Cabela's usually has at least one line of them on sale.
Longer rods help for fishing floats. If I'm taking one rod for the day, and it will be used for multiple techniques, I grab a 9'6" rod. I have 10'6" rods that I primarily use for fishing floats, but I toss spoons with them on occasion too.
Something rated for 8-17lb line makes a decent do-it-all rod.

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[cbzdel]

What do I want for action and line size? This is where I get totally lost.. Since allot of guys get what I call an undersized rod and I ask how they landed a 30 pound fish on a 10lb rated rod and the answer is always technique, well if you have no techuniue then are you better off to get a heavier stiffer rod?

[Bullkllr]

What do I want for action and line size? This is where I get totally lost.. Since allot of guys get what I call an undersized rod and I ask how they landed a 30 pound fish on a 10lb rated rod and the answer is always technique, well if you have no techuniue then are you better off to get a heavier stiffer rod?

What you are describing is one reason I have a garage full of rods.

What I mean is, a rod that would be "ideal" for 30# kings from the bank is likely to be heavier than what you'd want to use for almost anything else. Personally I wouldn't want to fish with a rod too heavy 90% of the time (thinking steelhead, silvers, chums, etc). I'd stick with something in the medium range for starters. 8-12 will be nicer to fish with most of the time, 8-17 would allow a little heavier line when kings are a possibility. I like the 9-1/2 to 10ft length in a do-all rod. Personally, I'd start with a responsive medium rod, then maybe get a heavier king rod if you really think it's a need later.

[ribka]

reel

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0093B0L38/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687762&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B001THOWTS&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=13JJ0EYRZ3GZ9ZG6JTA2


And a Berkely rod

http://www.amazon.com/Berkley-A94-9MH-Buzz-Ramsey-Spinning/dp/B011OD1XS4/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1451931723&sr=1-2&keywords=berkley+buzz+ramsey+rod

9 6 med rod



or go on cabelas to sales now. The saltwater striker is good quality. Okuma SST is also a decent choice for money. Bi mart has them on sale from time to time

[fish vacuum]

The Cabela's ad that starts on the 7th has their Fish Eagle rods on sale for 50% off.

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[lokidog]

What do I want for action and line size? This is where I get totally lost.. Since allot of guys get what I call an undersized rod and I ask how they landed a 30 pound fish on a 10lb rated rod and the answer is always technique, well if you have no techuniue then are you better off to get a heavier stiffer rod?

This is the key question.  I don't like a rod that is too soft, but I also like to feel the fight of a smaller fish, or be able to downsize a lure and still feel it on the end of the rod.  The best way to figure this out is to try different rods as the ratings on them may be the same but they have a completely different feel from each other.  Hopefully you could borrow some and see how they feel before spending a bunch on one that you end up not liking.

I've been lucky for the fact that I have found (for me) the perfect spinning rod (8' med action) and an 8' trolling rod (med heavy) that are both less than $20.  On the trolling rod, I have one of the same brand's that is 8'6", medium heavy as well, but is is substantially lighter on the tip than the 8' one.

My only specialty rod is a 10' spinning that I bought for surf fishing.

[fish vacuum]

Rating depends on what you'll be fishing for. A medium-light rod rated 8-12 will work for pinks, hatchery steelhead, and smaller coho. A medium-heavy rod can be taxed by chums and kings and big coho.
A rod rated for 8-15 or 8-17 will handle most river fisheries. It might be a little stout for pinks, and it might be a little under-gunned for kings, but it'll do as a do-it-all rod.