Curious to see what people think about the rainshadow 1141 spinning. Is it too light for winter steelhead, or is it strickly a summer run rod. I'd like to get some feed back prior to spending the money to build one. I have a couple 1143's and love them.

The 1141 Rainshadow is my favorite rod to fish with. I use it all year long, mostly during the low flows of winter fishing. 8lb mainline, 6lb leader. I caught a 36" X 21" hatchery buck on the rod, you can put a heck of a lot pressure on the fish. I have a blank on the shelf that I still need to finish.

RYAN

This is just my opinion....

1141's (noodle rods) have only one place and time....boondoggin' on a sled where you can chase the (hatchery) fish until it finally gives up.

1141's have no place on a river where there is a possibility of hooking a native fish...it just takes too damn long to get the fish to hand with these rods.

I think the 1143C is a great rod based on its versatility. Fish it with 8 & 6 in the summer and 12 & 12 in the winter. You can float fish or drift fish just fine in the summer with a Curado/1143C setup. If you can fish 8# main and 6# leader with an 1143C, is there a need to go to a lighter rod than this?

From the bank you need some backbone to actually "fight" the fish rather than hold on for dear life.

I made the mistake of making a 9 foot, 8 weight, Sage RPL fly blank into a spinning rod. I never use it, even in the skinniest of summer flows. Why?.......no power.

Don't get me wrong, I don't bassmaster my fish to hand, I like the fight just the much as the next guy. But I believe it's important to get the fish to hand ASAP.......which cannot be done with an 1141.

Ike

Shawn,

My question when I read your post was, "Are you fishing from the bank or boat?" I think from the bank, the 1141 just isn't enough stick. I have that rod in a Loomis GL3 and in a boat, I'd say it's great for steelhead year round. Same for silvers.

If you were fishing from shore on a river with a very (and I mean "very") slow current, it might be fine. But if you have to fight the current and the fish, you'll be in trouble. I fish the mouth of the Toutle for fall silvers and chinook with a 1025S rigged with 12 lb mainline. That rod works fine--but not with much power to spare. But again, it easily fits the bill; it's just not "perfect" (if there is such a thing). In that spot though, an 1141 would likely get spooled if you got into a big fish--I dunno for sure 'cuz I have never tried it.

Good luck!

We olny use that rod for boondogging out of the sled,too limp for the bank.

I made a rod with that blank and love it. It's got plenty of beef. I fish from the shore and have caught many winter runs. I run 12# test with a Shimano sustain 2500 in the winter. It tires fish quickly with a proper drag setting. Have yet to hook into a spinger or something "really" big, but it has fought steelhead up to twenty pounds with no problem. It really feels awesome when a big buck is hunkering down and pulling line off in quick bursts. I could use a bigger meat stick with 20# test, but I enjoy a little more challenge and the lighter weight of my whole setup reduces fatigue and helps keep me motivated for the next cast all day long.

I made a rod with that blank and love it. It's got plenty of beef. I fish from the shore and have caught many winter runs. I run 12# test with a Shimano sustain 2500 in the winter. It tires fish quickly with a proper drag setting. Have yet to hook into a spinger or something "really" big, but it has fought steelhead up to twenty pounds with no problem. It really feels awesome when a big buck is hunkering down and pulling line off in quick bursts. I could use a bigger meat stick with 20# test, but I enjoy a little more challenge and the lighter weight of my whole setup reduces fatigue and helps keep me motivated for the next cast all day long.

I have 2 and would not trade them for anything else when fishing from the sled just as centerpin says. You also may have to step your hook size down as anything over a #2 may not get a good hookset. The light weight is sweet when pitching on those all day trips. They are a real nice way to spank a hatchery brat. That's just my two cents.

It is by far my favorite rod for the summer opener at Reiter!!! :p

...and to that moron that yelled at me a couple years ago to "get that f*cking noodle rod outta here"...I'll be back!!

my intention is to fish from the bank with size two and three spinners and small bait. The rivers will be smaller with lower flows. Sounds like there are mixed reviews on whether the 1141s is to light for bank fishing. The summer steelhead and winter hatery fish won't be over 15lbs so I think I might go ahead and make this rod. I will probably go feel the alstar 1141s first. I have heard they are a similar rod.

The 1141 Rainshadow actually is a tad faster and has a tad more power then the Loomis 1141...IMO, the AllStar 1141 is pure MUSH!...sorry Superfly!

I traded my 1141 to another fella for an 1143 ... for fishing in our neck of the woods .. it's simply too light.

Just because you CAN land a fish on a rod doesn't mean you SHOULD ... if you're anywhere where you'll encounter fish to be released, you OUGHT to be looking at a heavier rod

Hey sparky, You say the allstar 1141 is pure mush. How does the allstar 1143 compare to the rainshadow 1143. I own a spinning and casting allstar 1143. I bought them simply because it was cheaper to buy the allstars than make the rainshodows. I am curious if the 1143 allstar is also mush when compared to the rainshadow 1143.

Shawn, it has been a long while since I've played around with an AllStar 1143 and since Ive never picked up a Rainshadow 1143, I can not answer your question.

Shawn,

I bulit a Rainshadow 1143 this last Sept., and it is a great rod. My dad and I broke it in on the OP by catching a 38lb, and 43lb kings with 12 lb test. It is my 2nd favorite rod to fish, (behind the 1141 Rainshadow). I run Spirex reels on both of them. My uncle likes his Rainshadow 1141 more than his GLX 1141!

Ryan

I would like to get a 1141, I think it would make a cool Humpie rod.