Home Forums Fishing Freshwater Looking for a hard use Steelhead Spinning reel

Looking to pick up a hardcore, workhorse Steely spinning reel. Needs to be waterproof and have a 100% waterproof drag system. I run Daiwa Tierras which have fairly waterproof drags, but even then they begin slipping/chattering/etc after a few hours in the wet stuff. Also their gear trains are susceptable to the sandy rivers I fish, I've cooked 2 Tierras gear trains last season...

Anyone have any ideas?

Shimano Stradic or Fin Nor Inshore are both excellent reels. I have no luck with diawa's either.

another plus for shimano stradic.---cranky72

Better yet, forget spinning and go with a good level-wind.

You damn heathenistic coastal steelheaders and your damn level winds! I'd LOVE to run one, in my eyes they do it all and leave nothing behind. But I've tried them over and over and over again and I just cant get comfortable behind them.

Don't give up. There's a reason everyone uses level winds.
I've used big spinning reels for salmon and steelhead, and always have one on hand for friends who are new to salmon/steelhead fishing, as they're easy to cast and newbies can easily relate to them, and almost everyone has used a smaller version for trout.
But ...the spinning action does weird things to your line and lures.
The level winds can take a pounding and handle the heavier tackle with ease. I'm going steelheading near Port Alberni next week - pictures to follow!

But ... for a real thrill there's nothing like a steelhead on a fly rod!

You'll never see me slum a fly rod

I may have to buy a wild river 10'6" ML casting rod though and see if I can run these goofy upside down rods efficiently.

Theres no doubt about it though, casting reels are build to handle more abuse than spinning.

EDIT- IF a man were to buy said rod, being the heavy, clunky graphite it is, what would experienced Steelhead casting rod guys bolt to it in regards to a reel to balance such a chit rod?

I notice guys get away with running compact casting reels like Curado's but only on high end, light weight rods.

I use a Shimano Stradic 3000. Smooth drag, plenty of capacity, light weight. Very little wobble. My only complaint is the little sound maker for the drag system needs to be replaced from time to time. Shimano sends lots of new ones if you wear them out.