Steelhead Fishing Rods
Monday, December 22nd, 2008Steelhead Fishing Rods
Finding the right steelhead fishing rod can be challenging however, with the choices available today I am sure you can find a fishing rod that will match your style of fishing. Whether you are trolling from a boat or drift fishing from the bank there is a Fishing Rod for you.
From a beefy, six foot model, which is perfect for fishing from a boat, to the ten, and twelve foot models for those longer cast needed by the bank angler. Whether you enjoy drift fishing, trolling, or throwing jigs, finding the right rod is important.
There are three types of rods used for steelhead fishing, spinning rods, casting rods and fly rods. For now, we will talk about the spinning and casting rods. Fly-fishing for steelhead is another story that we will get into later in this series.
Spinning Rods
The spinning rod is the most widely used type of rod among today’s anglers. This is because the spinning reel is easy to use and is so versatile. The spinning rod allows the angler to cast the smallest of baits and lures as well as some of the heaviest. You can easily change lure weight and make cast without having to worry about changing the setting on the reel.
Spinning rods are specially designed to be used with the spinning reel the forward eyes are much larger then the casting rod. This is because it cuts down on the friction caused as the line uncoils off the spool. Since the line uncoils off a stationary spool, it causes a whipping action. The larger eyes allow casting without causing unnecessary friction on the line giving the spinning rod improved casting abilities.
The spinning rod also has a longer butt (the portion off the rod located behind the reel) to aid the angler while casting and fighting fish. This longer portion helps with balancing the rod to the reel as well.
The spinning rod makes for an excellent all-round fishing rod providing the angler with a wide range of fishing styles and types. If you are on a budget or maybe you just do not want to have to use several types of rod combinations a spinning rod will be your best option.
Casting Rods
The casting rod is a rod especially designed for use with a baitcasting reel. The eyes of these rods are smaller in diameter and are typically placed closer together then you will find on a spinning rod. Placing the eyes closer together gives the casting rod a smoother action and feel. This is one reason why many anglers prefer a casting rod to other types of rods.
The reel seats are also design to accommodate the baitcasting reel since this type of reel normally has a smaller foot. Casting rod also typically has a finger grip placed below and back of the reel seat. This aids the angler in maintaining a firm grip on the rod and is necessary because a Baitcast reel sits so much lower on the rod and your hand is behind the reel when casting.
Many anglers believe that a casting rod is capable of providing the angler with a longer and more controlled cast. Once you become accustomed to the casting rod, you will most likely find this to be true.
Using a casting rod will give a greater since of feel while fishing because they work so smoothly. You will notice the lightest of strikes that you may have missed while using a spinning reel. This fact alone may well be the reason that the seasoned steelhead angler prefer to use a baitcasting reel and rod.
Rod Action is the term used to describe how much of the rod bends when applying pressure to the tip of the rod.
- The fast action rod will bend in only the top third or less of the rod.
- The medium or moderate action will bend in the top half.
- The 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 depend on 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.
By fast Action 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 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:
Power describes 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, light, etc.
Power determines 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 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 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 guides. 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, considered the best material today. It offers 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 whether, 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.
For the beginning steelhead angler I would recommend a seven to eight foot spinning rod, medium, to medium light action, and capable of using lines in the 10 to 20 lb. test range.