Looking for Advice on a versitile Steelhead rod

I'm looking to join my buddies for some steelhead fishing this winter on the Russian River, and need to get a new setup to do so. They all fly fish, but I'm not looking to go down that path. Anyone have any recommendations on a setup that I could also use as light tackle of the ocean or other fresh water options? This would allow me to have something in addition to my large surf rod, but want something that's versatile while not breaking the bank.

Thank you!

Steelhead rods tend to be a little too specific to do much else with. I use mine for steelhead and surf perch but it's too long and limber for much else. At any rate I use a lamiglas X11 8-6 med power.

I was also kicking the idea of getting a fenwick hmg 7-6 med-light to use for steelhead, surf perch, bass and trout possibly.

Other options would be an Okuma celilo or SST. I've used both. I actually just picked up an Okuma SST carbon handle "twitching" rod for my GF. It's a bit shorter than most steelhead rods which she likes. It's 7-6 med power. We used it this morning on the Russian river and it seems like a good rod. I think it will work for surf and bass too.

Thank you, that gives me a great starting point! Appreciate the input.

I agree with 3$ on a good steelhead rod's limited versatility.  I use my Lamiglas for surf perch on occasion, but that's about it. 

If you really want something with versatility, a slightly heavier outfit could fit the bill.  I have a 8'6" Shimano Clarus (medium power, fast action) that I use for steelhead that has also landed nice salmon, leopard sharks, and rockfish.  It has more backbone than my Lamiglas, but that backbone comes at the cost of sensitivity and can hinder your ability to flick small steelhead baits or lures with precision.  The Clarus is not my favorite steelhead rod, but it's effective enough and I can use it for other species with success.

I pair both of these rods with Shimano Sedona 4000 spinning reels loaded with 10 pound monofilament.  They're not the best Shimano has to offer, but they've landed plenty of hot steelhead for me and are good enough.  A smooth drag is absolutely paramount when it comes to steelhead reels, as these are extremely fast and powerful fish.  Sticky drags usually result in busted lines.

I also have a Shimano Clarus, I've landed salmon, halibut, lingcod, leopard sharks, rockfish and of course lots of steelhead on it. I highly recommend one, it is by far my favorite rod I have.

Awesome, thanks for the suggestions!

I have caught trout, steelhead and salmon on St Croix rods, 6'6" and 7'. Both from shore and kayak medium weight, fast action. Penn reels, (Conflict 2500 is latest I bought) because they take a beating, can take being dropped in water and keep working. 8 or 12 lb line. I like using panther martins, kastmaster and using flies/globugs underneath a float.

Both the rods and reels cost between $100 and $150.

Because my wife doesn't like me filling up an entire wall of garage with fishing stuff a few years ago I searched for something I could use in kayak and from shore that wouldn't break the bank and had could touch/feel for soft bite of trout but could take catching a 20 lb salmon. The Penn reels have excellent drag control if you do hook larger fish.

I just went through this search myself.  I bought a 10' Clarus medium action after watching a friend use it for steelhead, then three Coho and a small (18#) Chinook that kindly stayed out of the current for her.  All on the same trip.  Something that versatile is fine by me.  It's great for side-drifting or bank-drifting and equally as good for bobber-doggin.

I had a 9' Daiwa DXS ML for steelhead that I gave to the kids in a fit of stupidity.  That was my all time favorite steelhead rod but was definitely a rod targeted for steelhead and not good for much else.  They have an extra fast action and a very light and sensitive tip, and they chokes on weights above 3/4 ounce .

I fish in coastal streams with a fast current.  Either of these rods are great in those conditions.

When I went looking, I got a lot of advice about the old guy down the road who catches more steelhead than any other person in the known universe using an Ugly Stik and a rusty South Bend spinning reel.  Oddly, none of the folks telling me that tale lived in the same city.   

I've been pondering this same question, and I've just about settled on this 7'9" spinning rod from Lamiglas.

http://www.lamiglas.com/the-everything-spinning-rod-lamiglas-x-11-lx79ms/

I'm hesitant to buy a typical 9'+ steelhead rod because my prior experience with fishing the Russian (from shore, anyway) involved a lot of bushwhacking and casting through little "windows" in the willows and brush.


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I've been pondering this same question, and I've just about settled on this 7'9" spinning rod from Lamiglas.

I've been drooling over that one with a graphite handle. Have you seen it in person? None of the shops I've visited have it in stock. I would love to get my hands on one and see how it acts.

I have a bunch of Steelhead rods and the one I use the most is the Loomis HSR930C paired with a light reel it a super light set up but with enough butt to turn a big fish. I would say it's one of the best plug/lure rods and works well for bait also. I think the HSR rods are pretty versatile the 9000S is great for rolling bait , smaller water and is a good Senko/Dropshot rod and it launches spoons/spinners. I also have a HSR1023C for salmon/buttes/stripers and light rockies.

 I really like the feel of some of the lami's but have had some issues with the guides bending , I tried the carbon handles and they just didn't feel comfortable to me. If you are fishing out of a boat rods don't really matter too much but if you are shore fishing you want something you enjoy casting/carrying all day long.

My favorite rod of all is the old made in US Fenwick HMG GFS 83C,it's still in great shape after many steelies I'm just afraid to break it so I use it only a couple of times a year on my favorite runs.  An old trick is when you go to buy a Steelie rod put the tip of the rod on someone's throat hold the butt and you should be able to feel his voice vibrations thru the rod.

Time to hit the river, saw a couple of fish at DC this morning nada for me headed upstream in a few.

We used to use spinning gear set up like this for flies, back in the day: http://globalflyfisher.com/fish-better/fishing-a-bubble

Not as good as a fly rod, but it worked.  We always used the clear bubbles.

Ok I just wanted to weigh back in after using a new rod for a few days of fishing. I mentioned the Okuma "twitching" rod that I bought for my girlfriend earlier.

This one M F 7' 6" 8 - 15 lbs 1/4 - 3/4 oz $89.99 SST-S-862M-CGM

I paired it up with a shimano Sahara 4000 ($70 at dicks right now) with 15 lb diawa jbraid x8 and spent the last few days playing with it.

Long story short I'm going to buy another for myself. It works for throwing spoons, drift fishing bait, and bobber fishing. I used it to plunk with 4 oz of weight. I used it to surf fish with 3/4 oz weights Carolina rigged. I also threw paddle tailed swimbaits up to one oz with it. 

I can see using this combo for steelhead fishing, surf fishing, throwing paddle tail swimbaits  for stripers, bass, and rockfish, as well as soaking bait for catfish and leopard sharks. I didn't get a chance to do any vertical jigging with it, but it has a fast sensitive tip which should lend itself well to vertical jigging for rockfish, bass, or lake trout.

I can't comment yet on how it handles large fish, as I only caught small perch and squawfish with it so far. It is very sensitive and I was able to detect the bites from the small fish easily.

They had this rod in stock at sportsmans warehouse if you want to check one out.

-John

I've been pondering this same question, and I've just about settled on this 7'9" spinning rod from Lamiglas.

I've been drooling over that one with a graphite handle. Have you seen it in person? None of the shops I've visited have it in stock. I would love to get my hands on one and see how it acts.

I haven't seen one in person. Might be worth checking Outdoor Pro Shop in Cototi, if you live near there (I don't...).


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