Favorite Spinning Rods for Steelhead?

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 tuna 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.

You could hook a salmon well after new years where you are fishing.

10'
8-17lb
3/8-1oz
Med Heavy
Fast Action

Feels great on coho of this size and of course steelhead. Was a little undergunned on these couple chinook though. Had they turned out in the current and ran down river I couldn't have stopped them.





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You could hook a salmon well after new years where you are fishing.

I agree.  The last salmon was late in the run but was fresh from the sea.  Anything is possible, even for me.

10'
8-17lb
3/8-1oz
Med Heavy
Fast Action

Feels great on coho of this size and of course steelhead. Was a little undergunned on these couple chinook though. Had they turned out in the current and ran down river I couldn't have stopped them.

And I lied, earlier.  Shimano still makes that rod, it was listed out of order (by length) in the catalog.  Whew!  I almost got interested in a rod that's no longer available!

I understand about the ability to turn a fish in fast water.  I stumbled into a steelhead when using a light trout rod, and it just turned downstream and waved bye-bye.  But if it hadn't run downstream, I might have had a chance.  I'm good with a rod like that.

Thank you for letting me know which Clarus works for you.

And once again: great fish!  Makes me want to grab any rod in the closet and head for the river right now.

Tinker, you better beat it up to Bi Mart today. Last day of 30% off rods and reels including some of the aforementioned brands. I was just there but I don't need any more gear for myself right now.

A salesman at fisherman's marine recommended the Okuma SST for use with a diver. He was wrong. And while they have a warranty, the shipping costs for a fishing rod made it not worth the effort.  Great for jigging though, Marie still has hers as that's what she uses it for.

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Tinker, you better beat it up to Bi Mart today. Last day of 30% off rods and reels including some of the aforementioned brands. I was just there but I don't need any more gear for myself right now.

I guess that means you weren't my Secret Santa this year.  Thanks for letting me know.  I always miss their sale days.

A salesman at fisherman's marine recommended the Okuma SST for use with a diver. He was wrong. And while they have a warranty, the shipping costs for a fishing rod made it not worth the effort.  Great for jigging though, Marie still has hers as that's what she uses it for.

You're right about that, Lee.  The first guide on one of my Okuma's, the guide closest to the reel, popped-off and the cost to send the whole 9-foot rod back for repair was not that much less than the cost of the rod.  There are paper warranties, and there are real warranties.

If nothing goes wrong, they're good rods, but I don't count on getting any help from Okuma. 

A salesman at fisherman's marine recommended the Okuma SST for use with a diver. He was wrong. And while they have a warranty, the shipping costs for a fishing rod made it not worth the effort.  Great for jigging though, Marie still has hers as that's what she uses it for.

You're right about that, Lee.  The first guide on one of my Okuma's, the guide closest to the reel, popped-off and the cost to send the whole 9-foot rod back for repair was not that much less than the cost of the rod.  There are paper warranties, and there are real warranties.

If nothing goes wrong, they're good rods, but I don't count on getting any help from them.

I don't know if you ever pass through Reedsport in your travels but there is a little shop on 101 called Ken's that will fix guides and tips for a very reasonable price. My experience is that he'll drop what he's doing and fix it while you wait. That's been better than sending rods through the mail since I have a chronic problem with slamming car doors on rod tips.

It's a damn shame NEMrods is out of the country until May. He'd be able to spin a sweet custom to whatever specs you prefer. I'll be working with him early summer to do a couple more before next season. Would ultimately like to have 2 casters and 2 spinners with me. Being able to switch between rigs quickly, or having a second ready after a break off can be the difference in catching fish or getting skunked some times.

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For future rods I'm really interested in the Cousin's Tackle products, specifically the Columbia Composite series for in-the-rod-holder fishing and the Tributary series for rod-in-hand fishing. I know those guys produce an outstanding product for a price point that can't be beat.  They are worth checking out & let me know what you find out!

For future rods I'm really interested in the Cousin's Tackle products, specifically the Columbia Composite series for in-the-rod-holder fishing and the Tributary series for rod-in-hand fishing. I know those guys produce an outstanding product for a price point that can't be beat.  They are worth checking out & let me know what you find out!

Nelson (NEMrods) was talking about Cousins blanks. Definitely intend to check those guys out! Thanks Hugh!

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It's a damn shame NEMrods is out of the country until May. He'd be able to spin a sweet custom to whatever specs you prefer. I'll be working with him early summer to do a couple more before next season. Would ultimately like to have 2 casters and 2 spinners with me. Being able to switch between rigs quickly, or having a second ready after a break off can be the difference in catching fish or getting skunked some times.

Let us know about the rod(s) you have built.  I'm always in favor of seeing custom rods.

Let us know about the rod(s) you have built.  I'm always in favor of seeing custom rods.

Will do! He built me a a serious meat stick on a Lami blank. Did a bang up job with the feather inlay, and matching the grip and reel seat to the blue SG! Really looking forward to reshuffling the quiver!




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Some of my work is on my Facebook page (just search NEMRods) and my Instagram fishnemrods.  While I currently can't build I do have internet access to chat about and research blanks and components (I'm 11 hours off from West coast time so you may get replies at some funky times) . I'm hoping to be back on the bench by mid May (first thing up is finishing the AOTY prize salmon rod).