|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,950
Campfire Tracker
|
OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,950 |
I am starting to do a lot of crawler drifting in larger rivers for rainbow trout that average 2 1/2 pounds and range quickly upwards from there. There bite is often subtle and I need a rod that will detect those subtle strikes, yet have the backbone to handle 6 to 8 pound fish in heavy current. I have been using an ultra light rod and reel with 4 pound test, which is more fun than a person is probably supposed to have, but loose a lot of big fish. Thinking I will probably go to either 6 or 8 pound test on a new rod and reel. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance for the input.
Fred
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,347
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,347 |
Give the fish a sporting chance and get a flyrod.
I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.
John Wayne
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,950
Campfire Tracker
|
OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,950 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 17,289
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 17,289 |
Go with a longer rod and a reel with an ultra smooth drag and you'll lose fewer fish on light line. A 7' med or med/light IM7 graphite rod rated for 4 to 10lb line is my choice for what you're describing. I've caught hundreds of trout and many steelhead up to 12 lbs using just 4 lb test line and leader. It's challenging but it can be done and 4 lb test will get you more bites than heavier line. If you invite me to go fishing I'll show you how it's done. I'd love to get into some big trout.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,950
Campfire Tracker
|
OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,950 |
fish head On that same ultra light, I have played 4 steelhead in the 8 pound range, but these rainbows are something else right now. Must be the cold water.
Fred
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 17,289
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 17,289 |
What length is your ultra light?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,287 Likes: 3
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,287 Likes: 3 |
I'd look at the lightest available rods built for Steelhead. Something 8'-10' in length, for lines 4-10 lbs.
G. Loomis, Lamiglas and Fenwick all make 'em, from about $100-$400.
Dittos on getting a good reel.
Scott
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,950
Campfire Tracker
|
OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,950 |
The rod I was using yesterday is a fenwick HMX, 6 footer- I thought I was was using my Loomis GX2, which was the rod I played the steelhead on, but I just checked and I was mistaken. Any suggestions on reels?
Thanks
Fred
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 13,860
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 13,860 |
6'6" or 7' Med or ML bass rod with an XF (extra fast) tip designed for senkos or dropshot rigs. Basically a rod with backbone and a light sensitive tip. You should be able to find a good imported rod for a C-note.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,950
Campfire Tracker
|
OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,950 |
n the interest of research, I went fishing again today and took the Loomis GX2 rod and my Shimano reel- Worked much better than the 6' Fenwick, and landed one 22 inch rainbow and 9 other smaller fish without feeling under equipped. Still using 4 weight line, but the Loomis has enough spine to handle the bigger fish. I wasn't aware how different those two rods are. Thanks for all the input- Learned a lot on this thread, even though I had to suffer almost an entire day on the river to verify. Fred
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 28,605
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 28,605 |
know alot of the walleye guys on this end of the state love Loomis rods......havent got one myself but have used friends' rods and do like them......had i actually gotten more fishing in this summer i prolly would have upgraded one of my rods to one....maybe next summer....
A serious student of the "Armchair Safari" always looking for Africa/Asia hunting books
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,509
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,509 |
I like the 6'6" 1 piece (they come in 2 piece too) Light action, Fast tip, St. Croix Premier Spinning Rod. I use them for perch (up to 14+") and small mouth (up to 20") on Lake Erie, but have caught up to a 9 1/2 pound catfish on one. They really have a sensitive feel to them, which makes it easier to feel the hits. They run around $110.
I use the Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Signature Series Spinning Reel size 10 with 6 pound Fireline, and 6 pound Seaguar Fluorocarbon leader. I like this reel because of the large OD of the spool for fast retrieve. We fish 50 to 75' deep in Erie for perch, and this reel gets them up quick. These reels are on sale right now for about $80.00 (normally $100)
Old Fishermen never die, we just get reel tired.
May you build a ladder to the stars and climb on every rung. May you stay......Forever young
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,539
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,539 |
The Loomis rods are state of the art for me. I have a 5 1/2' ultra light than can feel a crappie fart in 30' of water. It was a birthday gift from my wife about 30yrs ago. It is still outstanding.
Decide on your length and weight, and then go the extra mile for the Loomis. You won't be sorry.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,851
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,851 |
Shimano rods are built in the same factory on the same machines as the G Loomis rods and carry a no hassle lifetime guarantee.....
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,307 Likes: 2
Campfire Oracle
|
Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,307 Likes: 2 |
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 13,860
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 13,860 |
Daiwa's Airbail leaves Shimano spinning reels lacking. Daiwa baitcasters are probably twenty years ahead of Shimano's technologically, but I think Abu may be ahead of them all in the baitcaster dept.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,810
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,810 |
Shimano rods are built in the same factory on the same machines as the G Loomis rods and carry a no hassle lifetime guarantee..... Shimano rods are made in China. They are great rods, regardless. Shimano owns G. Loomis, but G. Loomis rods are made in Woodland,WA.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,851
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,851 |
You know what? your right..
I remember someone saying that to me about 3 yrs ago and just had to google it up...Shimano is made in China but off of G loomis machines and technology.
Still Shimano's warranty blows G loomis's warranty away.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,761
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,761 |
I have always been partial to Fenwick.
Doc
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,237
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,237 |
I'm a fan of the mag-light offerings from Loomis for trout, but it seems you are into a little bit bigger fish than me.
I recently saw where Shimano has expanded their Clarus line to include some rods that may fit your bill. These are great rods at a good price. Based on the info you gave, I think you'd be pleased with the 7' light/fast Clarus.
|
|
|
|
430 members (19rabbit52, 10Glocks, 10gaugemag, 10ring1, 10gaugeman, 1beaver_shooter, 54 invisible),
16,873
guests, and
1,238
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,194,875
Posts18,538,034
Members74,050
|
Most Online20,796
|
|
|
|