Favorite Spinning Rods for Steelhead?

Caught in a fit of fly-rod elitism, I gave away my favorite of all time side-drifting rod.  A 9'6" ML 6-12# (3/16 to 1/2 ounce) very fast rod with a soft tip.  They still make them, they are out of stock across the whole internet, and probably won't be back in stock in time for Winter steelhead.

I'd love to have one of those Loomis IMX rods, but the budget tells me "Nope!" (in a loud and angry voice).

So what are your favorite spinning rods to use when side-drifting for steelhead?

I barely know what side drifting is  . However, I have been using the Lamiglas Cascade Pro rods for steelhead. They are made in China and usually available at Bi-Mart for under $100. I've got two 8'6" for bank fishing hardware etc. and then a 9'6" and a 10'6" for float fishing. I have only broken one in the past 12 years or so. They tend to come on sale a couple of times a year at Bi-Mart.

Thank you, Mr. _Run.  I never think about those Bi-Mart Lamiglas rods, and if my favorite rod doesn't come back in stock in time, I'll make a dash to Bi-Mart.

It didn't take long after someone told me I was an elitist to realize I'd already given away one rod too many.     

I should have mentioned that I have a friend up here who catches more steelhead than anyone I know and he just has one Ugly Stick and an ancient spinning reel.

And thank you again, C_Run, but if I had a nickel for every time I've heard a tale like that, I could afford that Loomis rod.

I also gave away the Ugly Stiks.  Seriously.  I only kept one rod, for surf fishing.  I reckon I could catch a steelhead with that surf rod, but behind my back, everyone would be snickering at me.   

I vote for the Shimano Clarus.  Dropped mine overboard on the Chehalis and always wanted another one.   Best side drifting rod I've ever used.  $119 on Amazon I think.  Good luck.

I'm rocking a 10' Clarus now. Beat up a few king and coho free drifting eggs on it early Oct, and now bobber and jig for steelhead. Don't remember the weight and action off hand, but at 10' it mends and picks up line nicely!



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Just fly fish for steelies... you can do it!

Caught in a fit of fly-rod elitism, I gave away my favorite of all time side-drifting rod.  A 9'6" ML 6-12# (3/16 to 1/2 ounce) very fast rod with a soft tip.  They still make them, they are out of stock across the whole internet, and probably won't be back in stock in time for Winter steelhead.

I'd love to have one of those Loomis IMX rods, but the budget tells me "Nope!" (in a loud and angry voice).

So what are your favorite spinning rods to use when side-drifting for steelhead?

Honestly the rod doesn't really matter if you don't know how to fish it to its full potential. I've been out fished and out classed by older guys fishing Ugly Sticks & smoking cigarettes while drifting. I've been running a G. Loomis IMX 9'8" Mod-Fast 3/8-3/4oz for the last 5 years and I love it. I paired this rod with a Shimano Stradic spinning reel. This year alone I've caught from a 25lb fall King to several nice Metalheads, including this 16+lb buck, & the action is unreal. Customer service is fantastic, as I've broke this rod twice and had it replaced & back in my hands within a week or two. There's nothing like dialing in the perfect drift so that would be my focus for several years before dropping a pretty penny on an upgrade. 

Just fly fish for steelies... you can do it!

2016 was my year for fishing only with a fly rod, and just check the AOTY leader board to see where that got me.  I caught a nice bunch of rockfish, but never upgraded over the first one, and I was completely skunked for even one additional species.

2017 is the year of whatever gear is going to work.  I may have mentioned this, but it's all well and good to have fond memories of how much fun it was to catch a fish on the fly once upon a time, but you can't make tasty tacos from memories.

I'll keep using the fly rods because I really, really like fly-fishing in the salt.  surf12foot has mastered the art, and is doing his best to teach me, but until I'm one-fifth as good as he, I still need to be able to stock the freezer.

I'm rocking a 10' Clarus now. Beat up a few king and coho free drifting eggs on it early Oct, and now bobber and jig for steelhead. Don't remember the weight and action off hand, but at 10' it mends and picks up line nicely!

I'm a fan of the Clarus rods and will definitely look at the 10 foot lineup.  Kings, Coho and steelhead?  That's a versatile rod - just the way I like 'em.   Thank you.

Honestly the rod doesn't really matter if you don't know how to fish it to its full potential. I've been out fished and out classed by older guys fishing Ugly Sticks & smoking cigarettes while drifting. I've been running a G. Loomis IMX 9'8" Mod-Fast 3/8-3/4oz for the last 5 years and I love it.
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Customer service is fantastic, as I've broke this rod twice and had it replaced & back in my hands within a week or two. There's nothing like dialing in the perfect drift so that would be my focus for several years before dropping a pretty penny on an upgrade.

I understand side-drifting, and knew that rod like an old friend, although there's certainly plenty of room to learn and improve with practice.  I gave my side-drifting rod to my kids when I decided to convert to fly rods, and I'm looking to replace that rod.  I hoped to simply buy a new one just like it, but no one has them in stock.

I would call the rod I gave away a steelhead specific rod.  Probably fine for a Coho though I never tried it on Coho, but definitely not a rod to tackle a Chinook; I don't think the tip would survive it.

Polyangler and you have each suggested rods that work well for you with salmon and steelhead, and that's great information to have.

Any rod that can be used effectively for more than one species is a rod that definitely gets my attention.

The Loomis would be a major upgrade, cost-wise, the Clarus only slightly so.  I'm definitely leaning towards Shimano but I'll be keeping a Loomis second on the list.

I really appreciate everyone's answers, and wow! guys, nice fish!  Good job, both of you.

I vote for the Shimano Clarus.  Dropped mine overboard on the Chehalis and always wanted another one.   Best side drifting rod I've ever used.  $119 on Amazon I think.  Good luck.

And thank you, too, Pounder.  I wasn't ignoring you intentionally.  Those fish photos had me distracted.   

Haven't had much opportunity to fish for steelhead (other than chasing my son who catches them by accident).  The drift guide I fished with on the peninsula favors Okumas.

Haven't had much opportunity to fish for steelhead (other than chasing my son who catches them by accident).  The drift guide I fished with on the peninsula favors Okumas.

Thank you, DT.  I had a few Okuma SST rods (the kids have them now) and they are good rods at a reasonable price, and plenty sensitive.  I understand why a guide would favor them.

P.S.  Stop chasing the boy and go steelhead fishing!

2017 is the year of whatever gear is going to
I'm a fan of the Clarus rods and will definitely look at the 10 foot lineup.  Kings, Coho and steelhead?  That's a versatile rod - just the way I like 'em.   Thank you.

I wouldn't call it a king rod, but I managed a few while coho fishing. Luckily no monsters. The largest was 17lbs, and I had to play him nicely. Handles 10lb coho and steel almost like it was made for it though [emoji12] I'll post the action and weight when I get a chance.


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I'd be interested in the information.  The current catalog lists a 10' medium, fast action, 6- 10# and 1/4 - 1/2 ounce.

I had a 19# hen fight like she was a tarpon this year.  I own a salmon rod that keeps me happy, but it would be nice to know that if I was searching for early season steelhead and a salmon grabbed the bait, I might have a chance to land it and keep the rod intact.