Need help choosing a new rod

[alex10578]

This is the first time i'm buying a rod for myself and i really do not know what to buy. I'm really into drifting for steelhead/ salmon and also like bottom fishing for carp and catfish. I was wondering if there is a rod that would be decent for both these types of fishing. Also the rod would haveto be from bass pro shop since i have a 50$ gift card and it would help if it cost less than 120$.

 

[apz245]

so you already have a reel? i've heard these are good but I haven't used it myself, friend has 1,
http://www.basspro.com/Browning-Fishing-Six-Rivers-Salmon/Steelhead-Spinning-Rods/product/90107/


bass pro has quite a few salmon/steelhead rods which should be good for everything you're planning to do, here is the link to the page with the poles/species specific fishing rods, its a bit confusing but they have more salmon rods there than in the spinning section

i dont have experience with catfish but i'm pretty sure the rods are stiff, and would be too stiff for salmon/steelhead

http://www.basspro.com/Fishing-Fishing-Rods-Poles-Species-Specific-Rods/Type-Salmon/_/N-1z0uxazZ1z0wanx

 

[NADO]

Thats a tough one. If you wanted a rod that you can use for both then you would be getting a rod that isnt ideally suited for either technique. You could go with a 9-10' rod around a 6-10lb rating. This rod would be a bit too short for floating alot of rivers around the area and it would be a bit light for bigger cats. The main issue you would run into is for float fishing as ive done fine fishing for cats with a 7' medium rod.

If I were you I would go with a dedicated float fishing rod for steelhead first since that is the season that is upon us right now. After that is all over around end of May/June you can go for your spinning bottom fishing rod. Since you are looking to buy at bass pro I would recommend this rod in that price range.

http://www.basspro.com/Okuma-Aventa-Float-Rods/product/77722/

 

[ChaseChrome]

Not to flog a dead horse but I am really a big fan of the Savvy Edge float rod from Amundson...sub $130

 

[rich_ace_G]

if your budget is is $120. why not get 2 rods? fenwick has some decent rods that would cost $50 - $70.

 

[Ohshititsme]

For salmon and steelhead not gonna lie bought a browning last year and she's good.. 72 dollars can't beat it for a 13 foot rod

 

[Jason15]

I'm not sure if they carry it but streamside has been working good for me I believe they start at 89 and go up by model and size.

 

[morrisbp]

I use a 9'6 fenwick hmx. Lovely for salmon in bronte creek (I can name rivers here right? If not can a mod just remove the names) or brown trout else where like dalhousie. I believe the action was medium. I read reviews from some Texas cat fishing forum (I got bored lol surf the web in class) and some gentlemen use the same rod for kiddies. Picked it up in August for about $89.99. Costs alittle more than the shorter hmx. Although the epoxy had stress cracks at the meeting point of the eye bridge and rod. I guess that's what happens when you catch monsters. Personally I don't believe that's a defect in the rod, it was probably my fault tight drag and power pro

 

[hamiltonangler94]

Ya I agree with the Fenwick rods, I have a couple and have never been disappointed, they are great for the money

 

[NADO]

I see alot of the older vets using fenwick rods. I was fishing with a guy yesterday who was running a fenwick with an old cardinal spinning reel. The rod had a nice arch, I bet it was well over 10 years old.

 

[ChaseChrome]

I have an HMX...no complaints with action but the finish is [email protected] guides pooched already (time to have it rebuilt...the blank is good it seems).