I have been fly fishing on an off for a couple years, and I am looking at getting a new rod and reel. I currently have a graphite # 6-7 line rod with a reel that is a little small and without good drag. I am looking for something that would be adequate for steel heading, and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. Thanks
Fly fishing rod and reel
- Thread starter Waterboy
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Madriverfisher
Well-Known Member
It all depends I have a few rods for steelhead I have a 10 foot 7wt and a 11 foot 8wt two handed rod. I know guys who will use a 5 wt switch. It all depends how much you want to spend as to what you get I love my switch rod it's st croix and I paid just under 300
point defiance
Well-Known Member
It depends on what size river your fishing. 6/7 wt. You can get away with on smaller rivers. I have a 8 wt. 11 ft switch rod by temple fork outfitters. Might sound a little heavy but hook into a 10lb chrome steelie trying to head back to the lake and you will need it.
White river rods arent bad if your looking for something cheap but good.
White river rods arent bad if your looking for something cheap but good.
ChaseChrome
Banned
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What you fishing now WaterBoy?
I can tell you this question depends upon budget (don't all things??). It also depends on application and size of river. I fished the Salmon River in Pulaski for years with a Sage XP 8 wght--tried one season to break it on marauding kings with no luck (tough stick with great power in the but end). For general purpose steelheading I use a Sage Z-Axis 6 wght (11.5 feet) and can be used as a switch rod--I've landed many hot fish on this kit. Like Mad said though, St. Croix has a good range of rods to choose from also (I have a 6 wght. which is softer than the Sage but really done a fine job). Though I've fished an Abel Super Six I have found a conical drag to be smoother and more efficient (IMHO) such as the ULA Force reel that I often switch to on the water or the Bauer (good price point).
Pleased to help out in any way--let us know brother...
I can tell you this question depends upon budget (don't all things??). It also depends on application and size of river. I fished the Salmon River in Pulaski for years with a Sage XP 8 wght--tried one season to break it on marauding kings with no luck (tough stick with great power in the but end). For general purpose steelheading I use a Sage Z-Axis 6 wght (11.5 feet) and can be used as a switch rod--I've landed many hot fish on this kit. Like Mad said though, St. Croix has a good range of rods to choose from also (I have a 6 wght. which is softer than the Sage but really done a fine job). Though I've fished an Abel Super Six I have found a conical drag to be smoother and more efficient (IMHO) such as the ULA Force reel that I often switch to on the water or the Bauer (good price point).
Pleased to help out in any way--let us know brother...
stdavidsboy
Active Member
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I'd go for a 6wt switch rod. Works nicely in BC for the same, but depends what kind of water you're fishing. Otherwise something a bit shorter (by shorter I mean normal 9' length) might be helpful.
I was told by the guy Reelflies booth, and another booth just over a year ago when I got mine, that mine was the perfect setup. 8wt, 9' single hand. Was told it was good for trout, salmon, bass etc. it was great to start on as it could everything wouldnt get a good fight on the smaller fish but at least its there, and its a good enough rod for going for salmon.
If someone wants to correct me on this, im just repeating what I was told haha.
If someone wants to correct me on this, im just repeating what I was told haha.
Graham Bristow
Well-Known Member
In my opinion I would say for the average guy the perfect steelhead rod for great lakes steelhead would be a a 10 foot 7 wt with a weight forward floating line.
I used a 10' 6wt single hand rod for steelhead and salmon for almost 15 years and never had a steelhead I couldn’t handle on it. It was light enough that I could use it all day without to much fatigue. I loved that rod until I stepped on it..ouch.... some guys might consider a 6wt a bit light, especially in windy conditions but it would be my first choice.
I don’t think having a 8 or 9 weight is really necessary because in Ontario you're generally using nymphing techniques that require fairly light 8 to 10lb tippet or your not hooking as many fish and even if you get a ballistic fish that just wants to B-line down river you cant really put the boots to it or you'll just snap it off anyway, so no need for all that power in a 8/9 wt.
Unless you plan on swinging a lot of flies I would stay away from the heavier switch rods. I have a 6wt and 7 wt switch that I use but it's so nice when I go back to the 10' 6wt or 7wt rod, they're much lighter....
If you want a versitile rod for both swinging and nymphing then go with a switch rod. Keep in mind, you can swing with a single hand rod to... AKA streamer fishing.....
I used a 10' 6wt single hand rod for steelhead and salmon for almost 15 years and never had a steelhead I couldn’t handle on it. It was light enough that I could use it all day without to much fatigue. I loved that rod until I stepped on it..ouch.... some guys might consider a 6wt a bit light, especially in windy conditions but it would be my first choice.
I don’t think having a 8 or 9 weight is really necessary because in Ontario you're generally using nymphing techniques that require fairly light 8 to 10lb tippet or your not hooking as many fish and even if you get a ballistic fish that just wants to B-line down river you cant really put the boots to it or you'll just snap it off anyway, so no need for all that power in a 8/9 wt.
Unless you plan on swinging a lot of flies I would stay away from the heavier switch rods. I have a 6wt and 7 wt switch that I use but it's so nice when I go back to the 10' 6wt or 7wt rod, they're much lighter....
If you want a versitile rod for both swinging and nymphing then go with a switch rod. Keep in mind, you can swing with a single hand rod to... AKA streamer fishing.....
Yesterday I got
8.5ft 4wt for trout and 9ft 8wt
8ft feel pretty strong compare to 4wt
I understand and wanted to get 10ft 7 or 6 wt
But as buying used rods from my friend no choices.
But I am so happy I got two set up
P.s gram thank you for your advices
8.5ft 4wt for trout and 9ft 8wt
8ft feel pretty strong compare to 4wt
I understand and wanted to get 10ft 7 or 6 wt
But as buying used rods from my friend no choices.
But I am so happy I got two set up
P.s gram thank you for your advices
Graham Bristow
Well-Known Member
Hey Roska,
Both are good rods. My favorite trout rod is a 8.5 foot 4 weight... Really, You could probably take almost any rod down to the river and make it work. In fact i've caught a few good steelhead on that 4wt rod.. The last 2 guys I was guiding both had 9' 8wt rods and both hooked plenty of fish without any problems, The longer the rod the more line control you have but for steelhead your 9' rod will be just fine. have fun with it.
Graham
Both are good rods. My favorite trout rod is a 8.5 foot 4 weight... Really, You could probably take almost any rod down to the river and make it work. In fact i've caught a few good steelhead on that 4wt rod.. The last 2 guys I was guiding both had 9' 8wt rods and both hooked plenty of fish without any problems, The longer the rod the more line control you have but for steelhead your 9' rod will be just fine. have fun with it.
Graham
chuckles
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I use a 8wt fenwick glc caught salmon /bows bass/pike great cheep rod. I have a copple bambo rod a hardy and a montana there blast to use love the fight on them both 7 wts there are alot of great used setups to find online also been thinking buying a 10/11wt for muskie
chuckles
Well-Known Member
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- Oct 8, 2011
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it loads difftent i find it heaver realy i only caught copple bows on it i do love the fight it gave got mine from grand father scared to crap breaking them lol i do love the way it fells thow 3 grand is umm scary lol some peps spend sick amounts on gear see the hardy fly real 8000 bucks lol i have a prinsess real phamtom rod
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