Looking @ a 13'6 line wt 4-8 lbs, there is also a 15'6 rod but seems over kill.....what are you using in P.S. area rivers? Im mostly be targeting steelhead,summer and winter, wanting an all season rod ...talk to me

That's too long, and too light, both.

Look for something in the 11'6" to 12' length, and more like 6-15, or 8-17 weight.

You'll be casting heavier weights and lures, and fighting bigger fish in bigger rivers...4-8 is for troots

The unfortunate truth is that there aren't many being made in that range which is why I have a spey blank tied up in CP configuration.

Fish on...

Todd

I built a rainshadow xst 11'6" 8-12 and absolutely love it. I can fish light or heavy and have caught multiple fish over 25lbs and never felt the need for a heavier rod. Also I fish beads for cutthroat and it's still fun, a 20" cutty puts up a great fight

I do have a 13'6" 4-8 okuma guide select. And it's ok at very best for any type of fishing I do around here.
To long for small streams, to soft for bigger fish and hooksets on longer drifts, works greats for cutthroats and summer runs....but again to long and soft for rivers and streams I regularly fish. It does get the job done in a pinch though...just nowhere near ideal.

I plan on building another 11'6" rod for summer fishing. Probably another rainshadow xst in 6-10 rating this time around.

I have 2 13' footers.......but I only use them for summer run, mainly, and only with a spinning reel........to late in life to go the CP route.

1 is a Lamiglas that is no longer made and the other is a Rain shadow. The Lamigas has the "rings" on the handle and the Rain Shadow, is actually a CP rod with the "fixed reel seat". I like them both....Rain Shadow has more backbone.

Todd knows lot's.........but the rods I have, while I don't target Coho or Kings, have definitely whipped both of those species.....for me, it's all about fun.....right level of water, then these rods are fine.

I will be building up a 13'0", 6-10 lb NFC centerpin rod. The blank feels like it has plenty of backbone to me. Of course I'm fishing in Oregon and my 6-10 lb steelhead rod works just fine on steelhead up to 15 lbs or so. Should be fun.

From a boat I fish a 10'6 10-17lb. From the bank I fish a 13'6" 4-10lb. 3 rivers just got some 13' 6-12lb echo rods that are ideal for around here.

This is a good read http://floatfishingconnection.com/Gear_Review_Batson_RainShadow_XST1383F.htm

This one is the next addition to my small collection lol
XST1383F Center Pin
Rainshadow XST Salmon Steelhead

Component Part Number Part Description
Rod Blank Model # XST1383F-TC 11' 6" 2pc Med/Lt 8-12lb Salmon/Steelhead
Butt Cap: TFB16TR-CB
Rear Grip: HERG7SCC2-345 7.0" High End Reargrip Super Grade w/Cork Comp ID .345" cutt tennon
Reel Seat Shim: Shim/16/WG
Reel Seat: TRI-AH12MTR-CB Threads down
Fore Grip: HERG7SCC2-345 7.0" High End Reargrip Super Grade w/Cork Comp ID .345" cutt tennon
Fore Grip front Cap: HDCCBC20F
Winding Check: AWCCO394-CB Aluminum Winding Check w/cut out .394 I.D. - CB
Hookeeper: XDSHKSS Small TiCH Drop shot Hook Keeper loop goes down towards seat
Tip Top XTCPPCT07R05.0 ALPS SS316-RRD-P Top 07 TiCH Ring 5.0 Tube - TICH w/o Chrome
Guides (see below for size and quantity) TIPFTZG07 Guide Titanium Sgl Foot Zirc THIN Rg-Polished
Guides (see below for size and quantity) TIVSTZG08 Guide VS Titanium Zirc Thin Rg-Polished
Guides (see below for size and quantity) TIYTZG20 Guide Y Titanium Zirc Thin Rg-Polished

Guide order from the tip top Guide Guide Placement - In inches from the tip top
1st TIPFTZG07 3.5"
2nd TIPFTZG07 7.5"
3rd TIPFTZG07 12.75"
4th TIPFTZG07 19"
5th TIPFTZG07 26.5"
6th TIPFTZG07 36"
7th TIVSTZG08 46"
8th TIYTZG10 57"
9th TIYTZG12 69"
10th TIYTZG16 81.75"
11th TIYTZG20 98"

But Kerry, WWDD ?



Decker.......................................



c/22

Let me answer that for my brothas! HE'D STEP UP AND SAY, "BLEEP BLEEP BLEEP(CENSORED), I JUST TAKE MY NICE LITTLE 1264 HERE AND HARVEST........."

If that fails him, he'll just dive on em!

Well I think im gonna wrap me a rod , I like the 8-12 line wt range,and probably 11-12' rod...will the okuma adventa work ok or is there similar priced reels? I have an old spey reel with blown drag..hmmmm

I fish an Okuma Raw ii, it's a pretty nice reel especially for the money. The Aventa is basically the same reel with a slightly lesser quality bearing than the Raw ii.

you get what you paay for!! I would go with a different brand than Okuma, theyre just garbage They will work great for about 6mos-1yr then bearings shoot or drag blows, etc, etc, etc.

Drag blows?

I fish 3 Sage pin rods, 2106LB, 3113LB, and a 3113MB. No complaints.

That's easy for you Kerry.......you have the whole store at your disposal.....you can use/have any rod you want. I only have the IST 1384 which are great too. Have built a few of them for other people and they love them.

Gary

Raven matrix is a good entry reel. My Aventa is on year 2 of being fished hard 2 days a week and is doing just fine. I did buff the arbor and keep it very lightly oiled.

same here, including 3106LB.

Altho old skool they are still my favorites. I also have some older Lami 11' 3", as well as some newer 11 & 13" GLX pin rods and a custom 13' Batson XST 1562-3 CP. My 9 & 9.5 Loomis float conversion rods are on the short side and they don't get much action except for troot.
As you can tell I prefer 10' 6" and 11' 3" length most, mainly changing power depending on quarry or water conditions. Seems to work best for me when fishing from a boat or banking upper sections for steel or salmon. However 13' is a good all around CP length too and works better for general banking, hero drifts and greater hook setting power. I personally don't understand the need for 15' on our NW waters. For a NW all season CP rod I'd stick with a 3 power 10'6"-11'3" or a 2 power 13' rod that balances with your reel of choice and feels good in the hand. Depending on length, you'll get into a whole 'nother debate on the number of rod sections.

Try the new echo pin rod, looks very nice and has lots of back bone. If that's out of your price range I highly suggest the shimano clarus 13' 8-12 for winter and the shimano 11'#l 6-10 for summer, 99$ with a lifetime warranty, havnt had a single problem with them only downside is there a lil on the heavy side compared to the loomis 13' glx. Not shure about the wieght of the echo but all I've heard about it is good things

And okuma reels work fine mine almost 2 years old and still works great, I fish it 5 days a week and like it better than my raven matrix xl because its lighter

I have a Fenwick 13' Elite Tech that seems like a decent rod. I haven't really had a chance to put it to the test though.

I can't complain for the price though.. free.. LOL!

You wanna come up a dollar:) haaha has any one tried braid or is this a mono game?