right now i'm using spinning gear for all of my salmon and stellhead needs,and i'm looking to switch over to casting gear,can anyone suggest a good rod and real,i'll be using it mostly for steelhead,but it will still need enough back bone to take on the occasional spring and fall king,thanks for any help that you can provide

p.s. fish on!!!

I get asked this questiona a lot. People want a real nice custom rod built, but want to fish it for everything. Salmon, Steehead/Fall/Spring Chinook.

My suggestion is to buy a higher grade rod in a heavier action. (If possible)

Example.

HSR 1021C IMX. 8'6" 10-21 fast action. Fish both Salmon and Steelehad. Fall and Spring Chinook. Mag-Medium

STR 1025C IMX 8'6" 8-17 Med.-Heavy

You can't go wrong with either of these rods.

Reel?? No brainer
Ambassadeur 5500 $65 bucks, with a 15 mail rebate until 6-1-99. Great deal.

Please remember these are just my opinions.
:-) I would rather have 1 awesome rod and reel combo that I could fish everything with than 2 poor rod and reel combos.

I got to agree with TH in that I'd rather have 1 great rod and reel combo then 2 that I really couldn't count on. My personal favorite all around rod is the Lamiglas T-1324. A nice 9' medium action rod with a nice sensitive tip and a solid butt to handle a big fish....should be ablr to find it for about $125 somewhere. The Ambassadeurs are a great real, can't go wrong there, I also like the new Quantum Iron series as well as the 1311. Good Luck.

Curt in my opinion, if you enjoy feeling of the fight while fishing for steelhead then I suggest a GLoomis 1082c or s IMX(9ft), s being the spinning model which I use all winter long it's light power rating is awsome and underated fun and will give you a better awareness of the subtle bites' they most often offer. I've caught 200+ steelhead this past winter from 8 to 25+ lbs all on 8lb Izor
I lost a few big ones but not after having the best 1 on 1 most evenly matched battle with an animal that I give much respect for. But If your a meat fisherman get any 8'6" mag-med pool cue, load it up with some 15-20 cable and reel em' up. In short.. Best all-around rod set-up G-Loomis STR1143 GL3 9'6" Shimano Calcutta 250 or 251, 10lb or 12lb Izor, good for 6lb steelhead to 40lb class salmon guranteed! All the bells and whistles included

Sorry, can't agree with you on you choice of rods.

I must fish smaller rivers than you do. When I hook a 35 pound "nooker" and he/she decides to leave, they move to the next hole. I would not want to try and stop them from doing that on a 6-10 light mod.fast action rod.
I really like my 1021's, 981's and 1025's for Chinook.
I don't doubt that you can do it. But for the average fisherman, I would come a little more prepared. Respecting fish has nothing to do with fishing ulta light gear. Does it? My favorite fishery in the world is on a catch and release river. Although, I may fish with "pool cues" as you called them, I take pride in releasing all wild fish.

As for the Calcutta 400's. You are right. I have a few 400's on my 981's and ther are awesome. 250 are too small for me, I can't get my thumb into the spool. I like the Chronarch or the Corado's with the open faces.

The best thing about this web site is that we can share all of our own thoughts and nobody's ever wrong. :-) Right.....


[This message has been edited by TH (edited 05-11-99).]

Curt, again that was just my opinion,we can give opinion's on this site when asked right? A Loomis GL3 STR1143C is a Mod-Fast action 6-12lb Medium, and not considered an Ultra-light stick, as quoted above. I gave you this opinion because you said you mainly fish steelhead and want enough pole for the occaisional "nooker", the extra length allows you to fish a float or use traditional drift fishing methods with bait or spinners. This is just my opinion, I fish steelhead all-year round by choice, I release when required and kill when I want just like any other avg. fisherman, but the avg. fishman or women doesnt fish 3 to 4 days week so fishing with light gear doesn't make me weak in the knee's, and should not make you either. I agree with Randy and Th that 1 good rod and reel combo that can catch anything the NW rivers can produce is good idea.... TH in my opinion, my idea of "ultra light gear" fishing is trying to beat the IFGA line record for catching a billfish of 110+lbs, on I think its 4lb test Good luck Curt.

Mavrick, I hope I didn't sound cynical. I envy you, fishing 4 days a week. That's not me.

I am a firm believer that everyone has equal right to their own opinion. I encourage you to voice your freely. Especially on this form. Thanks TH.

hey guys thanks for all your input i really appreciate it,i was kinda looking at the STR1024C which is the 8'6" 8#-12#,and for a reel i was looking at the ambassadeur 5501,does anyone have any good or bad opinions about this set up,thanks for all your help

p.s.fish on!!!

Curt:

I think you need to consider the STR1263C. This is my rod for everything! Light enough for a six pound summer run to a 47 pound nookie that I caught on it during the fall of 97 on the Hump. The rod is a GL3, 10-1/2 feet long, and rated I believe for 8-12 pound test. I've over loaded this rod with 20# test for kings and it handles the heavier line without a problem. I match this rod with the curado for steelhead and ambassador 6300c for kings. The extra 2 ft. advantage over your standard 81/2 foot drift rod, makes the STR1263C great for float fishing and distance casting.

Drift fishing with this rod is awesome! You can actually make a drift on a medium sized river and keep all of the belly from your line off of the top of the water, while you lure drifts along making it easier to feel takes (try doing this with an 81/2-foot rod). The only problem is the price. Last time I checked I believe this rod was selling for around $350.

Anyways at least go to your local Loomis dealer and hold one in your hands before you make a decision.

I'm sure you won't go wrong with whatever Loomis rod you choose.

Good luck!

Curt,
I love my STR1024C, It is a great rod, I use it for drifting for Steelhead and Silvers. I think You'll love it too, but I wouldn't use it for Kings, not enough butt for my tastes. Good luck

[This message has been edited by RANDY (edited 05-12-99).]

[This message has been edited by RANDY (edited 05-12-99).]

The STR 1263C GL3. 10.6' 6-10 moderate action, ery nice rod. I know you can can find it for under $300 though. :-)

STR 1024 8-12 8.6 is good
STR 1084C 8-12 9.0 is better. Just my opinion.

After holding many rods, the difference between the 1024 and the 1084 is a lot. Maybe this is just me. Dose any one else feel this way? I feel the 6 inches on the 1084 is very important? What do you think?

I havn't really gotten into the different poles but I baught a shimano curado(left hand) and I wouldn't give it up for nothing !!! I'm new to this fine equipment and when I baught this real I realized the importance of having the best. if yer going to fish serious ya might as well put up the extra $$ and it will only make the sport that much more enjoyable when yer not fighting the cheap stuff. I'm looking into biulding my poles and will probably end up making a few 10' or longer and will be Loomis. I've heard enought from others and this is the combo I've come up with. Anybody know where I can pick up some nice blanks in the Olympia erea and maybe some classes on maken them? I'm picking up my new willie drift boat next weekend and need to get a few more poles to do it right.


dcrzfitter

Dcrzfitter,

Good luck on the new Willie. I picked mine up about two months ago and although I wish I have taken it out on more trips, I could not be happier with the boat. Willie is definitely on top of his game. About your question on where to get rod blanks and classes to build rods, Greg's Custom Rods (www.greatnw.com/gregs/) both sells rod blanks and provide classes on building them. I think you go up about 4 times over a couple of weeks for an evening class and then you have yourself a custom built fishing rod with a little bit of your own elbow grease into it. The only downside is that if your going to Greg's from the Olympia area, you have a little bit of a drive as Greg's is located in Lake Stevens. I plan to take my class up there sometime soon but finding time is tough. I've also noticed that it costs actually more to build your own rod than it does to buy the same quality rod, ready to go off the shelf. Nevertheless a good experience though. Good Luck

TH,

You of all people should know the STR1263C is a medium rod, rated for 6-12 lb line, and is fast action.

TK

Try the GL2 STR1265C/10'6 MED-HEAVY MOD-ACTION 10-20lb 3/8-1 1/2oz rod. It is a great all around rod. You can't go wrong with this rod. You can go light for Summer Runs or heavy for Kings.Try it you will love it.

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[This message has been edited by Dick (edited 05-16-99).]

Upon further review.... you are right. The STR 1263C is a medium fast action rod, rated for 6-12. Thank you for correcting my ingorance. :-)

I still think you can find one for under $300 my be even $255 if you look. :-)