I hate to admit but I am one of those new guys...

I made the mistake of buying a 7 footer and am in the process of righting that wrong...

is 10.5 a good all around pole or should I stick to something like 8.5? I tried my buddies 10.5 and it is nice but is it the right one? I can cast so that answers that question...

feel free to chuckle - a little humility is good for the soul

Where, how and what, will you be fishing for?

sorry - sould have mentioned that

drift fishing the rivers for salmon - I do have a boat but shes beached up right now so fuggedaboutit...

ya know...eggs, corkies:zipper:

my local rivers, the puyallup, carbon...occasionally the green

I can always use this 7 ft pc o crap for other things i tink - like lakes in a boat or something...no sense getting rid of it!

that is a personal prefrence, they all work, but you have to find what works for you, I like 9' rods but i have a ton of 8' 6'' rods that i use as well, in my boats i like 7' rods, and it goes on and on and on....people who dont fish ask me why i have 30 rods and reels, they are all different and have a purpose.. find how you like to fish and find a rod that fishes that way,,

I would stick with a min of 8'6".
I prefer the 9'6" , great for mending your lines and thelonger rod helps with distance and control.

Some of the die hard gearheads may chuckle at this a little, but I have an 8'6 lamiglass Northwest special that I keep in the truck at all times. It is versatile enough for me that I use it for EVERYTHING. I think it just depends on your own personal preference.

JMO,

If you're doing a lot of casting, the longer rods tend to get heavy, and take a burden on your wrist and arm. A lot of people really like to push the 1143. 9' 6" rod with an average backbone. Personally, I wouldn't go that route.

Sounds like you need a 1025c. 8'6", and plenty of backbone for salmon and winter steelies with plenty of sensitivity.

Downgrade to a 1084c when summer run steelhead fishing. It's a lighter, but longer, 9', rod.

EggRoller-

That is the rod I use as well. I think it works really well for my needs. Enough backbone to land a 40 # king and sensitive enough to feel a lite nibble. I love that rod.

Sky-Guy
FINALLY!

Parker - what brand of rod are you referring to...Lamiglass?

sounds like mabe 8.5 is the way to go...any suggestions for someone on a budget? I'd love to drop the coin for a nice rod like that but I think it would be silly for a beginner like me.

i definitely need to go down to sportco and pick their brains too!

I will have to agree with Parker.. the 8'6" 1025 is a great rod..

Shop around,
there are some wonderful deals out ther e.

8' 6" is perfect to start. I've got three of those and two 10's. For all around fishing, nothing beats the 8/6. Try a Shimano Convergence rod. Outstanding rod with a lot of backbone and great sensitivity. Plus, 60 bucks makes it even better.
Best of luck.
Cuthroat

8' 6" to 9' would be the best all-around in my opinion.

Longer rods are nice in some instances, but no matter how light, they will wear on you after a bit.

A little shorter rod (8'6" vs. 10 +) will be a little to cast in tight quarters as well.

It's hard to go wrong with a 1025 ... the ??? is, from who?? <img border="0" alt="[eat]" title="" src="graemlins/eat.gif" />

1025...is that a size or a product #...?????

funny you should mention the "convergence" series...exactly what my buddies 10.5 is.

So it sounds like I have a good idea on length, what about action?

BTW, I appreciate the help. Its nice to know what ballpark to be in when the guy behind the counter wants to sell you something you dont need.

Have TH build you a 1023c Rainshadow. You wont be disappointed.

Fool

bluenote,

1025 generally refers to a Loomis Model #, IE, a STR1025c rod. Although, those model numbers are basically mimicked by Allstar and Rainshadow. Lamis have their own rod designation (I think), but I'm not familiar with their rods.

If you get a chance, stop by your local tackle store and ask for a Loomis catalog. It lists all their rods..and gives you a good idea of what all those numbers mean. You could probably go to the Loomis web site and request one, if so inclined. It's a good reference to have as us board geeks like to spout off rod model numbers all the time.

If you're on a budget, I'd seriously look in to either the Allstar Elite series or have TH make up a rod for you. I'm pretty sure Sportco carries Allstars. Be careful of the "sales push". Price out an Allstar Elite 1025c. Email TH for a quote on a 1025c. Find out what Sportco will push on you (I'm going to guess it will be Lamiglass...as I was once chastized for walking in that store wearing a Loomis hat). Take all that info to make your decision.

Feel free to email me if you have more questions.

i personally fish a berkley 8.5, i am looking for a 10.5, i want to experience noodle rodding, i think 8.5 is ok, but i would go longer, jus my opionin..ive never fished a loomis, or lamiglass, so i dont know what all these people are talking about, im sure they are great rods too...

BB75 - you're confusing your techniques a bit. Here, let me explain the general lott to you!

Drift fisherman will tend to use a rod somewhere in the 8' 6" to 9' 6" rod. They are normally faster action casting rods with very sensitive tips. Usually the rod has a good backbone to allow the drift fisherman to yard on the rod to free up their snagged gear without breaking the rod! JK.

A float fisherman will use a rod somewhere in the 9'-10'6" range, with 10' to 10'6" being the most common. Again, fast action rods are used to set the hook. Can be both casting or spinning. They use the longer rods to get more line off the water, or help in mending the line upriver. Float folks like to "high stick" their rods and are always tossin' their stuff in to trees! Right Osprey? JK.

A noodle rod fisherman wants a rod that is at least 12' long, if not longer, has a painfully slow action, and they get their thrills from using very very light main line and leaders. This style of fishing is rarely seen these days. You will tell if you're close to a noodle rod fisherman by the amount of dead native steelhead you find floating past you down river.

Finally, there are the folks that need the 11', fast-action, thick as a stump rod. Sensitivity isn't an issue. Ususally used on the Cowlitz/Lewis to pull in those arse, bellow, or tail hooked kings and coho very quickly and efficiently.

thanks Parker - that helped tremednously!

I'm headed out to SportCo here in a sec...I'll let you know how it goes.

ya, i got it all backward, maybe i should buy the longer rod, stiff as a tree and then get some buzz bombs so i can catch them in the arse mouth, belly mouth any which mouth i can, like they do up at the barrier....actually, i will put 10 pound test on my rod if it allows it, i dont want to play the steelies to death, i usually put it to them, let them fight jus a bit and then reel them in, i dont play em for a long time, the hooks usually will work itself free...

About doing it on a tight wallet..

Just today I was at Lamiglas in Woodland. They have a factory outlet store where they sell seconds and repaired rods. Although all rods are sold without warentees you gat get into a good rod inexpensivley I bought a 8'6" "northwest special" for 75 dollars
sure the cork was a little dirty but it had a brand new tip section. Anyway if your not concerned about having the warentee i think it's a great way to go....