The Steelhead Angler

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Rod Action:
Rod Action is the term used to describe how much of the rod bends when pressure is put on the tip. A fast action rod will bend in only the top third or less of the rod. A medium or moderate action will bend in the top half. A slow action will bend starting in the lower third of the rod. Sometimes slow action rods are termed ‘parabolic’, meaning the bend of the rod is similar throughout the length.

These descriptions are subjected to the type of rod you may be talking about at the time; a fast action fly rod or steelhead rod will bend much lower and more easily than a fast action bass rod or offshore rod.

Most bass rod actions are fast to very fast because this action generally provides better sensitivity and faster power for hook setting. By faster power I mean the rod ’shuts off’ faster, or the bend ends higher on the blank, which means you don’t have to move the rod as far on the hook set to get into the stiffer part of the Rod.

Fast action rods are great for most applications where a short to medium casting distance is involved and single hooks are the rule, such as corky and bait fishing.

Medium and medium-fast rods will usually provide a little more casting distance and still provide adequate hook setting power. These actions are often used for applications that involve treble hooks, like using a hot shot. The ’strike’ of a treble hook is not as deep as a big single hook and it is easier to tear the hook out of a strong fish, plus the slower action will not pull the lure out of the fish’s mouth before it fully engulfs it. Yet you still will have the power for a good hook set.

Slow action rods will give you a better feel when drift fishing and may help you feel the strike a little easier. Since they are more responsive, you may be able to notice that subtle difference between bouncing over a rock and having a steelhead picking it up. When using a slow action rod you need to remember that setting the hook is going to require you to use more force when jerking.

The type of lure you use will usually determine the action of the rod you should use.

Taper:
Often used as “action”, describes not only the thickness of the rod but also the thickness of the wall of the blank and where along the blank less material is used allowing more bend. For the most part taper is the same as action.

Power:
Is used to describe the strength of the rod or its lifting power. When you hear someone say this rod has a lot of backbone, it means it has a lot of power. Power ratings are usually describes as heavy, medium heavy, medium, etc.

Power is closely related to the line strength; heavier power rods will handle heavy line weights and lighter powers will be good for light lines.

One important factor to keep in mind when selecting the power of your rod is the test of the line your line. Most all rods will have the line test limits printed on the rod. It is important to follow these recommendations since a heavy power rod will snap light lines too easily and heavy lines can snap a light rod.

Power ratings vary by the type of rod described; a heavy Steelhead rod and a heavy offshore rod will definitely not feel the same. A heavy steelhead rod rated for 20lb test line will not perform like a heavy off shore rod rated for 80lb test line.

The type of water you are fishing will help determine the power of the rod you should select. Fishing in high, fast moving or murky water will require a strong rod to get the fish out before it can make a long run and throw the hook. Clear, open water will often require thin, hard seeing lines in order to get the steelhead to bite, meaning you should use a lighter power rod.

Responsiveness:
Related to modulus this is an idea that reflects the ability of the entire rod to flex under load and release the stored energy in the cast. One thing is for sure, the lighter the rod, especially the tip, the more responsive it will be. If you are serious about steelhead fishing, you want a light yet responsive rod. As Gary Loomis puts it, “weight is the deterrent to performance”. Overall, the higher the modulus the more efficiently it will store and release energy, which gives you the ability to make an accurate, cast with a lower arc.

Guides:
Most of the guides you will find on rods today feature a metal frame and a ceramic ring that the line rest on as it glides through the glides. These rings can vary greatly in price, and one single guide on a spinning rod may cost in excess of $30 or as little as a couple of bucks.

Silicon carbide, or SiC, is usually considered the best material today. It offers a super smooth surface for less friction on the line during the cast and the retrieve. Less friction means longer casts and less heat, and heat kills when it comes to fishing lines.

As for the brand name or the type of rod weather, it is casting or spinning it comes down more of a personal choice. Your main goal when selecting rod action is finding one the will match the type of fishing you plan on doing.

Being able to See your target is a tremendous advantage when steelhead fishing.  A good Fishfinder is the one tool you need on your next steelhead fishing expedition.  With a Fishfinder, you will know exactly where you are most likely to make the perfect catch.  Knowing exactly where the steelhead is laying will give you more time catching and less time searching for steelhead.

You want a Fishfinder designed to give you fast and clear information when you need it.  The Fishfinder needs to have excellent shallow water performance.  You will want one that is very capable of locating steelhead in deep water as well.  A dual-beam transducer is a good option.  These normally have user-selectable views going from narrow to wide.  This will help you see more fish in shallow water this is also very important when searching for steelhead. 

There are a number of Fishfinder manufactures out there today.  Some of the better-known brands are Lowrance, Humminbird, and Garmin to mention a few.  There are many other as well these were some that I have used over the years and I am familiar with is all.

Once you find the right fishfinder for you become as familiar as possible with how it works and what it is telling you.  I have seen a number of steelhead anglers using fish locators that were not sure how they worked.  They could have done just a well locating steelhead staying home and reading a comic book.

For those of use that do not have a boat we can jump into when ever we go fishing Humminbird has come out with a fishfinder just for us.

Humminbird SmartCast RF-35 Wrist Mount Fishfinder designed to be worn on your wrist.  It is just like a watch for the ultimate in portability.  The Humminbird SmartCast RF-5 Wrist Mount Fishfinder features the Advanced Remote Sonar Sensor (RSS).  It has the wireless technology to provide precise information about bottom contour.  It will even give you depth and water surface temperature.  You wear it like a watch and get precise readouts easily.  They are viewable on the 1.25”, 48V x 32H LCD screen.  While the screen size does seem a little small once you get use to the size, it does provide you with some amazing information.

Using a Fishfinder will have you spending more time fishing productive water and less time search for that mystical steelhead.  You will have an informed advantage among the other steelhead anglers.  The pay off will be better steelhead fish stories than ever before.

Today your choices for fishing lines seem endless from the tried and true mono lines, to the high performance braided lines, and the new fluorocarbon lines how can you know which line is the best? Well the answer is “who really knows except for you and your fishing needs” I have used the following three types over the years and will tell you each have their benefits and draw backs I will explain to you each of these but the final choice must be yours since you are the one who will be using them for the type of fishing you do. 

SpiderWire UltraCast The Ultimate Braid Fishing Line
Maxima
World Wide Sportsman’s New Camo Fishing Line

SpiderWire:
It gives you the sensitivity to feel the lightest bite, the control you need for a secure hook-set, and the strength to endure the toughest fish. Regardless of the species you’re after or the cover you’re fishing. SpiderWire’s UltraCast seems to be a strong, smooth, ultra sensitive and a very durable braided line. UltraCast gives you a smooth flow through your guides which along with the smaller diameter allows you to make longer cast. Spiderwire Ultracast Invisi-Braid’s patented translucency technology makes this line virtually invisible once it is in the water. There is no line stretch which gives you a quick hook set and good control over the fish. They advertise that there is no break-in period as with other braids and I did find this to be true it goes from spool to reel and works very well.

The draw backs as with any braided line were it did seem to ice up more when used in freezing temperatures and should you lose a longer piece of line in the river when you get snagged it tends to cut you line rather easily should you hook into it.

Maxima Line

Maxima provides excellent abrasion-resistance and durability, and its special light-diffusing properties make it invisible to fish. Over the years I have tried numerous types of line from many manufacturers. I have had, and continue to have excellent performance from Maxima Line. It is strong and abrasion resistant, yet supple. It allows little (if any) stretch and has virtually no memory. It absorbs the shock of hard hitting Salmon and Steelhead very well. I have confidence in maxima line, and trust it so much, that it is the only line I will use to battle salmon on some of the rivers I fish here in Idaho! I’ve used this line for over twenty-five years. Maxima line has great color, durability, and performance and makes for a great choice on many rivers.

World Wide Sportsman Camo Fishing Line
If your want to save a few dollars this is a very comparable line to the maxima,and makes for a great choice on many rivers.  With its abrasion resistance, tensile strength, stretch resistance and knot strength. The varying shades and hues produce a camo color that makes this line nearly invisible when it hits the water. Fluorocarbon seems to mimic the refractive quality of water resulting in more strikes and does not seem to spook the fish as bad.
Now I know there must be hundreds if not thousands of different name brand lines available which I admit I have not used however these are the lines that work well for me and the type of fishing I do. I know they work and they are what I look for when purchasing line. Besides I would rather spend my time looking at new lures, hooks, and baits to try the next time I go out Fishing.

By : RR Smith
http://www.steelhead-gear.com/