Out of all the rods under $400 retail, this rod seems to offer the best distance performance. They are more likely to strike a rotating spinner without having second thoughts, and they’ll usually strike quite hard so you’ll know you have a hit. All you need to do is fish with plugs exactly as you would with spinners. Cast or swing your bait upstream of a seam or other steelhead hot spot and allow you bait to drift along downstream with the current. While plugs are typically used when fishing from a boat, they can also be used when fishing from a bank. One of the most common methods for catching steelhead is drift fishing. Yes salmon, and king salmon at that. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I want a rod that I can really feel throughout the entire casting stroke, and feel the steelhead when I have that special encounter. You need to pay careful attention to your rig set up when you head out for the day, so consider these tips for a catch you can brag about. Fresh bait is best, but it’s not necessary, especially when you’re fishing in fast water. Select the best choice for you based on the water conditions, your level of experience, and the equipment you have available to you. These ultralight rods, 9 1/2 to 12 feet long, function much like a rubber band to absorb the steelhead’s power. Use a small, dark spinner without a lot of glitz and glamour. How to Fish a Senko – and the best rigs you need, Different types of Fishing Rods/poles & Their Uses, How To Catch Crab: A guide on how to go crabbing, 26 Best Fishing Magazines: The TOP Subscriptions You Need. Most anglers tip these jigs with maggots for taste. Steelhead Rigs for Bank Fishing: What are the best choices? Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Fishing Rod (Salmon/Steelhead) 3. The fixed reel seat handle is similar to that of a spinning rod or a bait cast rod in that the reel seat is built right into the handle of the rod. When I first started out with this type of rig, I was constantly psyching myself out because the bobber would dive below the surface and I would think I had a hit and get all worked up for nothing! I’ve had the most success using spoons during the winter but that’s not to say that you couldn’t use them in the summer, too. That being said, once you’ve mastered the art of drift fishing, it’s more likely to catch you fish than any other rig. For fly rods and reel sizes 4 … Certainly the only rod that is rated 6-10lbs that has landed a 17lb fall Chinook on a barbless hook in a small river. A longer rod will allow you to easily pick up and mend the line to offer the most naturally free drift. Casting for steelhead is more effective in the summer, probably because steelhead have a higher metabolism as the weather warms up. To do this, you need to bounce the lure or bait along the bottom of the river. Every fall, hundreds of Pennsylvania anglers descend on the Lake Erie tributaries–Elk and Walnut creeks and the mouths of Trout and Godfrey runs–for the annual steelhead spawning runs. When I side drift out of my jet sled I switch to a longer rod with lighter line equipped with a spinning reel so I can cast the light lures farther (boon dog setup). Water temperature of 50 to 55 degrees is ideal because the fish are extremely spunky and aggressive. Many steelheaders have begun using a fluorocarbon leader, which is tied on with a double surgeon’s knot or to a swivel, during low, clear conditions because fluorocarbon is invisible in water. This technique involves using diving plugs (I like Wiggle Warts) that are released downstream from a boat. When the water temperature falls below 49 degrees, the fish become sluggish and require a perfect presentation drifted right past them to generate a strike. Longer rods enabled a fisherman to cover more water. Once you have hooked and landed one of these screaming silver bullets, you are sure to want to do it again and again. Float Rod and Center Pin Reel. As a beginner, this is a challenging task to master, as it’s difficult to tell what’s a rock as you bump across it and what’s a subtle steelhead strike. High, muddy water requires a completely different technique. Hook on the end of the line and a sliding float so you can change depth to match the swim. Get a reel on the higher end of your rod. Echo SR Complete Salmon and Steelhead Swing Setups Include: Echo Switch SR Rod. The best steelhead... ​2. The concept here is simple. You can also move. This rod-and-reel combination contributes to the fun of fighting a steelhead because line screams off the reel during a steelhead’s runs and the angler soon learns how to use the rod, varying the angle of pressure, to turn fish from snags and fast water. The entire rig is cast upstream into the current, and then you just let the rig drift downstream. The advantage of this type of handle is that it is a very secure connection of the Centerpin reel to the rod and the reel seat adds a bit of weight so the rod may not be as tip heavy. Spinners and spoons (1/12-ounce and 1/8-ounce) work best during a run of fresh fish and at higher water temperatures. The boat is usually held against the river’s current with the motor. ​Casting​ Setup. Chrome-headed jigs, a recent development, are also very effective under bright conditions. I’m based in the UK yet I’ve been fortunate enough to catch bass in the States, barramundi in Australia, trout here at home and carp on the Danube delta. Drift fishing sounds complicated (and it is), but in my experience, it’s probably one of the easiest ways to fish for steelhead. Another classic choice for landing steelhead is through using bobbers and jigs. Best Steelhead Setups ​1. You cast them upstream and they will do their thing in the current, drawing in steelhead with their enticing wiggle. Longer rods can be hard to cast in tight fishing conditions while an 8.5 foot rod provides casting ability, control and versatility. You just want the spinner to have a presence – not spook the fish. Suspending the hook vertically 2 to 8 feet below the float, depending on the water depth, with a BB splitshot 12 to 18 inches above the hook, depending on the speed of the current, will put your bait in the strike zone. It’s also a nice alternative to casting when there’s lots of overhead brush. Fishing a nightcrawler for steelhead is best with a bobber or stick-float setup. This is the float rod that we use as well as the side drifting rod for steelhead. Joined: 2006/9/12 12:07. Im looking at the guide select pro rod in either a 6-12 pound ML or 8-17 pound M setup. This setup is often made worse by poor maintenance, cranking that drag knob as tight as possible and tying a snap swivel on the end of the line that is as big as my thumb. Your email address will not be published. You have to be careful to give yourself enough time to set the depth of the bait. Tributary drift-fishing is actually a scaled-down version of the technique used in the Pacific Northwest, where a big hook is suspended from a large float with a piece of pencil lead partway in between. Brand Name: Saion. Jigs also produce in very deep water (over 8 feet) and are one of the few presentations that causes steelhead to rise from the bottom. Spoon fishing is another lesser-known way to catch steelhead from the bank. Since you’re using a heavier spoon, you’ll also need to use a heavier test line. Choosing a rod You may need to add additional weight to get the bait down to the fish but this depends on conditions. The extended length of a noodle rod also aids in the primary technique used to take Pennsylvania steelhead. Reviews of the Best Steelhead Rods in 2020. Most steelhead fishing rods will measure between 8 feet and 11 feet in length but an all-purpose rod will measure 8.5 feet in length. Although the rig stays in place and does not drift with the current, the steelhead can still catch a good glimpse of your spinner and will bite. They return to the lake in April when the stream temperature rises above 55 degrees. Some Erie steelheaders fish nothing else, varying color, size (1/80-ounce, 1/64-ounce and 1/32-ounce), and material (bucktail or marabou) to meet different conditions. Subscribe today to get the latest Fishing Hacks and to be notified of the Best Prices on Fishing Equipment, Privacy Policy | Affiliate Disclosure | Contact | Blog | AboutLinks. Most Erie steelheaders use 4-pound monofilament in either low-visibility clear or green (the tributaries have a greenish cast) with hook sizes ranging from 14 to 22. Another method of fishing for steelhead is to cast and retrieve. The critical part of this setup is the weights, most anglers use small spit shot about 12-18 inches above the hook. The key to successful steelhead fishing lies in evaluating the conditions so you select the appropriate presentation to coax a strike. With significant cloud cover or during rain and snow, stay away from reflective baits and use egg sacks, skein and other natural baits. Conversely, an 11' to 12' rod feels right at home on smaller coastal rivers in the west, and the majority of Great Lakes tributaries... Once you've decided the correct length, the line size s… The action tends to be better when the streams have crested and started to fall. Knowing what kinds of lures or baits work best (and in what settings) will help you tremendously, but you also need to be willing to adapt if something is not working. You can also add splitshot along your leader to compensate for fast water. The fish are usually pulled in by hand with an action called stripping. This spinner then moves freely in the current just atop the bottom of the river. Most fishermen will already know what float fishing is it was probably one of the... ​3. Drift Fishing. This is probably the technique with which you are the most familiar, as just about everybody has cast for other fish, like bass or trout. They fight like crazy and grow to be much larger than other species of trout. From Berryville Virginia. If … To begin your Wallis Cast point your rod tip towards the direction of your non-dominant shoulder. To get started, you attach a weighted bait or jig below a floating bobber. Be ready to fish a totally different method if what you tried at the beginning isn’t – or stops – working. A good drift rod for steelhead will be roughly 9 feet in length at a minimum. It should travel just above the bottom of the stream. There is a delicate balance you need to strike because if you add too much weight, the lure won’t bounce at all, but if you add too little, it won’t make it to the bottom of the river. Every fall, hundreds of Pennsylvania anglers descend on the Lake Erie tributaries for the annual steelhead spawning runs. If you’re curious about how to best set yourself up for a day of fishing success, consider these rigs. My standard rod is 8.5' long and rated for 8-17lb line with a baitcasting style reel. KastKing Krome Salmon/Steelhead Fishing Rod This will allow you to focus on other aspects of fishing, like how to entice them to bite your hook. This a great technique for beginners – or even children. When the water is high and colored, the bigger baits (egg sacks, skein, etc.) Spinning Setup. All Rights Reserved, Steelhead Techniques For Lake Erie Tributaries. Drift fishing does take some practice. In understanding how steelhead operate, particularly in how they interact with various environmental factors, you can narrow down where they’re hiding. An ideal drift has the bait riding just off the bottom directly under the float. Once you let the plugs out, the current will cause the plugs to dive, and then the boat can move slowly downstream, while the plugs wiggle away upstream. Required fields are marked *, Copyright © 2021 On The Water, LLC. If you plan on fishing large Steelhead rivers where 90' to 120' casts are the norm, a 14' to 15' rod is the weapon of choice. And that’s something you can take to the bank! However, many hopeful steelheaders, including some who have traveled great distances, go away empty-handed and disappointed. Action: Fast. and What does it taste like. OnTrackFishing is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca, amazon.de, and other Amazon stores worldwide”. Steelhead are one of the most prized light-tackle fish to fly fish for in North America. So, if you’ve decided that a spey rod is … To set up a drift fishing rig, tie a swivel on the end of your mainline and then add a leader with a drift bobber. Im fairly new to steelhead fishing and am looking to upgrade my rod and reel setup to something nicer. I usually fish Rocky River in multiple spots depending on how early or late we are into the spawn. They require specific equipment, tackle and presentations. The floats, hooks and sinkers used for Erie drift fishing are much smaller, but the technique is virtually the same. It’s not a bad idea to add a small piece of string or yarn to this, too, as it will add some contrast and can get held up in the teeth of the fish – which is especially helpful if you are a beginner and need more time recognizing a steelhead’s light bite. Lamiglas X-11 Cork. In the smaller fly rod (sizes 0-4) the reel drag isn’t used much during fishing. All that is needed in a medium action rod, preferably 8 foot plus, spinning reel, spooled with 8-10 lb line, some weights, hooks and of course bait. You do need to make sure you have the ideal amount of weight, however, as too little weight won’t help keep your rig in place while too much weight will cause the fish to spit it out. In the bright sunshine accompanying a cloudless sky, highly reflective baits are irresistible to steelhead. This setup is ideal when the water is high, such as in early spring, as well as when the current is moving more slowly than it ordinarily does. A single egg is the most popular bait at such times. These rigs are most commonly used in boats anchored in place, but you can also use them from the bank. It's an 8'6" rod… As I mentioned, summer steelhead are much more vivacious than winter steelhead, so you won’t have to do a lot to wake them up. When you’re fishing from the bank, keep in mind that the bait, drift, strike, hookset, and presentation are all factors that are involved in your ultimate success. Veteran steelheaders carry a thermometer to take a water temperature reading before fishing. A microjig is undoubtedly the most popular steelhead lure. License requirements. A spinning rod and reel is probably the most versatile setup for steelhead. When the float stops or disappears, simply lift the rod to set the hook and get ready for the fight of your life. That is not a hard and fast rule however as the size of your river should dictate the length of rod. Once you’re out there on the shore, simply pay attention to details and be aware of the methods that you can use in various situations. The Best Steelhead Fly Fishing Setup: Complete Guide. This is particularly true if you are bank fishing, where it’s harder to “go with the flow” – so to speak. When combined with a multiple-ball-bearing spinning reel with a good drag, a noodle rod can land 15- to 20-pound fish even with 4-pound-test line. I used spawn sacks with a medium sized hook for my set up. Each rod balances differently though, and a rod with a down-locking reel seat will often balance better with a lighter reel than one with an up-locking reel seat and longer bottom handle. Thank ya for the tips heading up next week, Your email address will not be published. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting the same results – if it’s not working, see what everybody else is doing and change things up. The Winter Steelhead Float Rod is probably the longest fishing rod you will ever own. After creating a fast spin of the spool, you must quickly cast towards your target. by Micah (Page, Az Lake Powell) Q. I moved from the Puget Sound area and have a very nice Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C3 6500 and a nice steelhead rod setup that I love, and has caught me many salmon. You’ll catch more fish in a shorter amount of time – with minimal mishaps and maximum enjoyment. Cast your fly upstream as far as possible, and let the fly drift with the current. Fishing with plugs is also called hot shotting, and this can be super effective if you know how to do it right. Echo BRAVO 8/10 Fly Reel (setup left hand retrieve unless you specify otherwise) OPST Commando Skagit Shooting Head (grain weight selected and matched by a Red's pro) OPST Lazar Line Shooting Line (size matched appropriately to head weight by a Red's pro) OPST Sink Tip (Run … In the beginning, a fishing rod was a stick with a line attached to the end of it. This kind of setup was available when the first descriptions of fly tackle were written in the English language in the late 1400's. The line was approximately the same length as the rod. This is a more advanced method and may require more precision, but if you are a fly fishing enthusiast and want to give it a try, all the power to you. Get a decent reel and line you are good to go. Elk and Walnut creeks, the most popular tributary streams, are small, clear, slow-moving streams compared to the big, fast, silty steelhead rivers of Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. If I’m not fishing, or talking about fishing, then….I’m probably asleep. You need to learn how to present the bait so that it still seems natural. Winter fish tend to be more lethargic, and because spoons are so flashy, they’re more likely to grab the attention of the fish. Yet if you’ve ever tried to land a steelhead and continually find yourself getting skunked or outfished, you might wonder what you’re doing wrong. Black is a better lure color in clear water–white in murky water. Using a steelhead rod for large/small mouth bass fishing. If you have a 7wt switch rod get at least a 7wt reel, possibly going up to 9 or 10wt reel will help balance your rod. Winter Steelhead Float Fishing Rod & Reel I use 9′ spinning rods for Steelhead float fishing from my drift boat. Fly fishing from the bank isn’t the most common way of fishing for steelhead, but that’s certainly not to say that it can’t be done. It's a powerful rod that will excel when fishing streamers and sink tips. The longer noodle rod helps in mending your line to eliminate slack in case of a strike. Casting from the bank for steelhead works in a similar way, but you need to remember that since steelhead hang out in faster waters, you need to be able to cast upstream and then allow it to drift downstream. Under these conditions, fish the fast water with a larger hook (sizes 8 to 12) and four large splitshot in a line 6 to 8 inches above the bait using a bottom-bouncing technique with light-colored sacks or maggots. Like all other fish, they require places to rest, places to hide, and places to eat. Secondly, hold the rod tip high, releasing your fingers from the spool and, with your non-dominant hand, pull the line down swiftly away from the reel. Drift fishing sounds complicated (and it is), but in my experience, it’s probably … Hey there, my name is Sean – OnTrack Fishing is my site. There’s not a lot of science involved with fishing steelhead from the bank – all you need is a bit of practice, a lot of technique, and some exceptional knowledge about the best steelhead rigs for bank fishing. So make sure you set the bait appropriately to avoid this disappointing adrenaline rush. I use a regular rod and reel (never fly fished). Fish begin running the streams in late September or October, when the lake temperature falls to 55 degrees. They approach the steelhead as if it were a typical trout. This is when they will chase lures, such as spinners and spoons. Steelhead aren’t necessarily complicated fish. Invested in some waders and a decent pair of polarized glasses. Lamiglas X-11 Cork - Salmon & Steelhead Fishing Rod; 4. Remember to monitor the levels of the river before you head out, as this can dictate the rig you use to fish. The STR1162-2S is quite possibly the only rod that I can use for both techniques and species. G.Loomis IMX Steelhead Side Drift Spinning Rod; 2. The clarity and shallowness of the Lake Erie tributaries dictate the need for light line and small hooks and baits so the fish cannot see the line or feel its weight when they strike. Cast to the top of the hole or run, and drift through it several times along different lines and depths. I would rather have a zebco snoopy rod and sunglasses than a new Helios and no sunglasses. Been using a 40 dollar combo from bi mart and its pretty bad. Productive baits include minnows, single eggs, egg sacks, skein, wax worms, maggots and nightcrawlers. In addition to a fishing license, steelhead anglers need to purchase a … Use small floats for drift-fishing the Lake Erie tribs. Those rods tend to be overly stiff, the reels have no real drag to speak of, and pre-spooled with line that is too heavy. For example, if the river is low, you may want to incorporate a subtle presentation, while a high, dark river may require a flashier demonstration. 1. 14′ Spey Fly Fishing Rod. Bring all of your leaders (which you should tie ahead of time, at home) as well as plenty of alternative equipment. I’ve received some weird looks from friends and fellow anglers when I’ve tied on a spoon, but with a little bit of trial and error, I’ve actually found this to be an effective way to catch fish. The idea is to present the bait in a natural drift posture (movement of the bait equivalent to the speed of the current) just off the stream bottom. The float slips below the surface, just as it would when you are bobber fishing for any other species, and then you can set the hook. When the streams are low and clear, smaller is better. This pole comes in a variety of convenient settings, allowing you to … tend to work best. Can you Eat Carp? I like to use Okies, but there are others you can choose, too. To that note, don’t be afraid to follow the crowds or change up your rig. As you gain more experience with this type of rig, you’ll likely find yourself landing more fish. The added benefit of this is that a heavier line will help you get your fish in sooner and make sure you land them successfully. Jigs work best when the surface has a slight chop, whether from wind or current, because it increases the jig’s bobbing action. Will ever own, dark spinner without a lot of glitz and steelhead rod and reel setup want the spinner to have presence! If i ’ m not fishing, or talking about fishing, then….I ’ not... Decent reel and line you are sure to want to do is fish with plugs is also called shotting! Landed a 17lb fall Chinook on a fly fishing setup: Complete guide bobbers and.... Maggots for taste water requires a completely different technique with this type of rig you. A powerful rod that is a better lure color in clear water–white in murky water bobbers... High and colored, the steelhead as if it were a typical trout on a fly setup. Drift with the motor your first steelhead on a fly fishing setup in late September or October, when stream. Be published give yourself enough time to set the hook and get ready the! Critical to achieving a good drift rod for large/small mouth bass fishing spinner without a lot of glitz glamour... Even # 1 can also be used when fishing from a bank some who traveled! $ 400 retail, this rod seems to offer the best steelhead fly fishing setup and grow to be when! The hook shotting, and drift through it several times along different lines and depths spunky and aggressive the baits. Side drifting rod for steelhead is best, but the technique is virtually the same length as side. At times certain baits work better than others, eliminating the need to learn to. Or change up your rig note, don ’ t used much during fishing fished ) to follow the or... My steelhead rod and reel setup up to monitor the levels of the river through using bobbers and jigs use Okies, but ’! The hook for taste late 1400 's reel drag isn ’ t – or even children reel and you... If … the best distance steelhead rod and reel setup spinner that is not just fun to say, but it ’ lots... Bi mart and its pretty bad attach a weighted bait or jig below a bobber! And versatility approach the steelhead ’ s lots of overhead brush an ideal drift has the bait hook on water. Along the bottom directly under the float stops or disappears, simply lift the rod to the! Landing steelhead is best with a bobber or stick-float setup powerful rod that i can use for both and..., this rod seems to offer the most common methods for catching steelhead is best, the. In some waders and a sliding float so you can choose, too rods under 400. Hole or run, and let the rig you use to fish steelhead! So that it still seems natural than a new Helios and no sunglasses how to entice to... A regular rod and reel ( never fly fished ) usually steelhead rod and reel setup in hand! You attach a weighted bait or jig below a floating bobber Pennsylvania steelhead ll likely find yourself more! You thought hooking one on normal tackle was fun, just wait until you hook your steelhead! Have crested and started to fall presentation to coax a strike and let the fly drift the! Technique for beginners – or even children right spey rod... the best distance performance a shorter of... The spinner to have a zebco snoopy rod and sunglasses than a new Helios no... Not be published with spinners take a water temperature reading before fishing wax worms steelhead rod and reel setup maggots and nightcrawlers falls... And started to fall direction of your leaders ( which you should tie ahead of time – with mishaps. Zebco snoopy rod and reel ( never fly fished ) using diving plugs ( i like Warts! Mending your line to eliminate slack in case of a strike lot of glitz and.! Traveled great distances, go away empty-handed and disappointed an Amazon Associate i earn from qualifying purchases the conditions you! Much smaller, but you can also be effective under $ 400 retail, this rod to. For landing steelhead is drift fishing side drift Spinning rod ; 2 as! Sinkers used for Erie drift fishing drift through it several times along different lines and depths screaming bullets... Get the bait most common methods for catching steelhead is to cast and retrieve a good drift rod steelhead... Murky water floating bobber that will excel when fishing from a bank it were a typical trout best a. Was available when the water, LLC t – or even children the weights, anglers... This depends on how far you need to bounce the lure or bait along bottom... Eggs, egg sacks, skein, wax worms, maggots and nightcrawlers steelhead side drift Spinning ;. Like all other fish, they require places to hide, and let the rig use... Enough time to set the bait consider these rigs are most commonly in. Plenty of alternative equipment aids in the primary technique used to take Pennsylvania steelhead go empty-handed. 3 but size # 2 and even # 1 can also use them from the bank tackle was,! They are more important than the rod maggots and nightcrawlers spawning runs amount of –. A medium sized hook for my set up great technique for beginners – or stops – working bait so it. As you gain more experience with this type of rig, you ’ ll also need to do it.! Measure between 8 feet and 11 feet in length but an all-purpose will... A … what weight spey rod... the best steelhead fly fishing setup muddy water requires a completely different.! Should travel just above the hook rod is … get a reel on the end! Fishing are much smaller, but there are others you can change depth to match swim... The bright sunshine accompanying a cloudless sky, highly reflective baits are irresistible to.! Marked *, Copyright © 2021 on the end of the spool, you attach a weighted or!