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Author Topic: What size rod to buy for Steelies  (Read 8064 times)

Offline brichards44

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What size rod to buy for Steelies
« on: June 10, 2010, 04:27:39 PM »
I am getting back into salmon and steelhead fishing. I typically have drift fished most of the time. There are a million rods now. Any suggestions on one that will work for both and what size should I buy?

Offline Rick

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Re: What size rod to buy for Steelies
« Reply #1 on: June 10, 2010, 04:31:41 PM »
I like longer rods. For an all purpose steelhead rod I'd go 9'6" rated 6-12. Its long enough that you can also float fish with it.

If you had to go with just one rod and wanted to use it for salmon and steelhead I'd still go 9'6" but bump it up to 8-17.

Offline MtnMuley

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Re: What size rod to buy for Steelies
« Reply #2 on: June 10, 2010, 04:32:02 PM »
I fish light tackle for everything.  The rod you need should be based on the type of fishing you're going to be doing.  Ocean, River, Boat, Shore, etc.  I use a couple G Loomis 8'6" 8-17 medium action extra fast tipped rods for chinook and steelies in the rivers--light, but well worth the fight imo.

Offline garyltbh

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Re: What size rod to buy for Steelies
« Reply #3 on: June 10, 2010, 04:36:37 PM »
i use the same rods as mnt muley only a little heavier great rods

Offline Hillbilly270

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Re: What size rod to buy for Steelies
« Reply #4 on: June 10, 2010, 04:46:27 PM »
I like longer rods. For an all purpose steelhead rod I'd go 9'6" rated 6-12. Its long enough that you can also float fish with it.

If you had to go with just one rod and wanted to use it for salmon and steelhead I'd still go 9'6" but bump it up to 8-17.

:yeah:  i'd go with rogue rods if it were me. :twocents:
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Offline 87Ford

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Re: What size rod to buy for Steelies
« Reply #5 on: June 10, 2010, 05:11:43 PM »
As a general purpose steelhead rod I think 8'6" is best.  It's long enough yet easier to fight through the brush getting to the river bank.  I've waded many miles of river bank and fished out of a driftboat a whole bunch with my 8'6" Loomis 8-12lb.  I like Lamiglas too.

Offline boneaddict

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Re: What size rod to buy for Steelies
« Reply #6 on: June 10, 2010, 05:16:19 PM »
9'6" 9 weight does wonders for steelies and salmon.  Its a little over gunned for steelies.  7 is probably the best.  I've caught several on a 3 and 4 and many on a 5.  Those are pretty light though.  7's work better at throwing appropriate lines for bigger water.   I've caught a bunch of chum on a 7 but it was undergunned.  A 9 is often undergunned for Kings but perfect for almost all other salmonids.

Offline garyltbh

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Re: What size rod to buy for Steelies
« Reply #7 on: June 12, 2010, 05:23:15 PM »
that is a big question what tipe water are you fishing  what kind of rigging are you going to use are you drift fishing are you bank fishing are you boat fishing let us no alittle more and mabey someone can help you choise the right rod

Offline Huntbear

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Re: What size rod to buy for Steelies
« Reply #8 on: June 12, 2010, 05:51:11 PM »
Do you want one rod for both summer and winter steelhead?  If so, I would recommend a 9' or 9'6" MH with a fast action.  With like a 10-20 line rating.  You get the best of both worlds that way.  Enough tip to feel the light bites, but enough rod to deal with winter water levels, and the bigger winter fish.  It will also double well as a spring Chinook rod.

Best I can do, unless you get much more specific with your techniques.
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Offline Antlershed

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Re: What size rod to buy for Steelies
« Reply #9 on: June 12, 2010, 06:16:02 PM »
I dont think you can have one rod that does it all, but the closest is the G Loomis steelhead series 1165 9'8" 8-17.

Offline cwuwildcat

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Re: What size rod to buy for Steelies
« Reply #10 on: June 12, 2010, 06:28:37 PM »
Slightly off topic, but I've had this same question, and this one goes along with the OP.  Cast or spin rod?
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Offline MtnMuley

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Re: What size rod to buy for Steelies
« Reply #11 on: June 12, 2010, 06:48:52 PM »
All based on your application. :twocents:

Offline Antlershed

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Re: What size rod to buy for Steelies
« Reply #12 on: June 12, 2010, 07:41:31 PM »
Slightly off topic, but I've had this same question, and this one goes along with the OP.  Cast or spin rod?
For my suggestion, casting, but I agree with MtnMuley that it all depends on the application.

Offline h2ofowlr

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Re: What size rod to buy for Steelies
« Reply #13 on: June 12, 2010, 08:21:39 PM »
If your fishing out of a boat I would go with a 8'6" rod or there abouts.  If your bank fishing 9'6" or longer would be the way to go in a 6-20 lb range depending on river and size of steelhead you are targeting.
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Offline 270Shooter

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Re: What size rod to buy for Steelies
« Reply #14 on: June 12, 2010, 08:32:59 PM »
Ok, not to jack the thread, but here is what I am doing. Bobber fishing from a boat, at drano ect... What do you recomend?

 


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