Steelhead float rod question

[Bay wolf]

Ok, somehow I often do these things backwards. I just started getting into float fishing. Been trying to get my first steelhead. So, awhile back I put together a rod and reel to start throwing some jigs and floats just to get started. I'm at the point where I realize I like float fishing and want to step up the game a little. Like most, I'm no money bags, and I also know that more expensive doesn't always mean better.

So, I got a stradic 3000fj on the way. Just need a decent rod to match with it. Again, I'm not wealthy guy, and brand names mean nothing to me. I know there have got to be some good float rods that don't necessarily have the brand recognition and price tag of some of the high end rods.

I read that Okuma SST rods are very good rods for a very good price. True/false?

Any other thoughts or recommendations?

[DannyL]

I use a fennewick 9ft rod for float fishing and I love it. Another good rod is a fetha Styx chrome

[Bay wolf]

I use a fennewick 9ft rod for float fishing and I love it. Another good rod is a fetha Styx chrome

Does it have steel eyelets? Do you use braid? If so, how does it handle the braid?

[FishingThePacNW]

What im running right now is a 9'6" Lamiglas x11 and i love it, it landed me my first two steelhead on Feb 9th, but im lookin to step it up also and im probably gunna go with a lamiglas xmg 50, the longer the rod the better, i havent used one but i dont want to get a 10'6 or even a 10', i think ill go with 9'10", just depends on what you like, if you like longer rods get a longer rod, if you like shorter rods get a shorter rod, but i would suggest getting nothing shorter then 9' because you need some length for mending and stuff! Just my 2 cents

[Mike Carey]

It hasn't been mentioned yet, the reason you want a longer rod for float fishing is you can keep the line up and off the water easier for a more natural float. The idea is to keep that float nice and straight up and down which means the jig is drifting underwater in a natural manner (whatever natural means for a jig, LOL). I would guess it means the marabou is fully puffed out and pulsating in an enticing way to the fish.
So, ya, a 10' to 10'6" rod is good to have. Like anything, once you've used it a bit you'll get used to the longer length and it won't bother you.
As to brands, I have a Berkely Air 10'9" medium light spinning rod. I think they run in the $100 range. Very satisfied with it. Pretty sure I caught the 25 lb king on the Humptulips two years ago with that rod.

[jd39]

Lots of good rods in the $60-$120 range, the im8, sst, x11. The im8 and x11 go on sale at outdoor emporium from time to time for $60 and are great deals for that price. Haven't seen the sst on sale. I've used all and like them. Just got a 10'6 for float fishing was using a 8'6 which worked ok.

[sealegs]

Good point Mike Carey. I have a 9'6" Lamiglas and see the difference with other anglers around me with a 10 plus foot stick

[Bay wolf]

Very good information guys. Thanks. I'm fishing a Wright& McGill 10.6 im7 essentials float/drift rod right now. Seems ok, but i really don't know how well it will hold up? Anybody know anything about these rods? Maybe I don't really need another rod right now?

[Mike Carey]

Wright& McGill are made by Eagle Claw. I have a couple 7 footers for pulling plugs. Seem like nice rods, haven't caught a fish on them yet to know for certain.
Does the rod feel comfortable? Well-balanced? Light? Appear well-made? You'll know the first fish you catch or after a long day of casting whether you like it or not.
Personally, for me it's how it feels holding the rod and how it balances out. I'm not a name-snob, I've got all kinds of brands in my collection of rods. Doesn't have to be a $200 rod to get the job done and be comfortable to fish with.

[skagit510]

It hasn't been mentioned yet, the reason you want a longer rod for float fishing is you can keep the line up and off the water easier for a more natural float. The idea is to keep that float nice and straight up and down which means the jig is drifting underwater in a natural manner (whatever natural means for a jig, LOL). I would guess it means the marabou is fully puffed out and pulsating in an enticing way to the fish.
So, ya, a 10' to 10'6" rod is good to have. Like anything, once you've used it a bit you'll get used to the longer length and it won't bother you.
As to brands, I have a Berkely Air 10'9" medium light spinning rod. I think they run in the $100 range. Very satisfied with it. Pretty sure I caught the 25 lb king on the Humptulips two years ago with that rod.

sound advice above. is this a dedicated float rod? others to consider along with the berkley are the 10 6 st croix avid, lami cert pro 10 6. the avid its rated 8 12. the lami 6 10. the st croix is more versatile yet the lami and the berkley will toss lighter stuff. if i were walking the bank with one rod I'd take the st croix. you could still lure and drift fish and not give up much for the float. good luck. by the way that is a fantastic reel.

[mizm05]

I use a Fenwick HMX 9'6" for my float rod. Length has worked out just fine for me, and it has a lifetime warranty. I like the sensitivity, and it has plenty of power to stand up to a tough fighting fish. Should be able to find one for right around $100. I would highly recommend getting it from Sportco. I'm on my 3rd rod (1st issue was my fault, 2nd one was a manufacturer's defect)...Sportco replaced them over the counter, no questions asked.

My $0.02

[rappuhd]

I have both a sst and x11 float rod and would buy only the sst if I had to do it over again. They are both nice but the sst seems to be just a little bit lighter and it is usually a little cheaper price wise. Also Okuma has much better customer service in my experience.

[mizm05]

I use a Fenwick HMX 9'6" for my float rod. Length has worked out just fine for me, and it has a lifetime warranty. I like the sensitivity, and it has plenty of power to stand up to a tough fighting fish. Should be able to find one for right around $100. I would highly recommend getting it from Sportco. I'm on my 3rd rod (1st issue was my fault, 2nd one was a manufacturer's defect)...Sportco replaced them over the counter, no questions asked.

My $0.02

My Father has broken his two times and eventually told them to keep it. My buddy shattered his on the first day also. If you have broken yours twice why would you recommend this rod? Sorry to say they don't make fenwicks like they used to and in my opinion they're junk.

First one I broke (slipped and fell on top of it), and Sportco still replaced it. 2nd one had a fault in the graphite right by the joint. 3rd and current one has performed like a champ. No complaints on my end. It's been a solid rod. I would still recommend it.

[DannyL]

I use a fennewick 9ft rod for float fishing and I love it. Another good rod is a fetha Styx chrome

Does it have steel eyelets? Do you use braid? If so, how does it handle the braid?

Yes it has steel eyelets, I only use braid for summer kings. I use 10-12lb mono. It handles the braid just fine for summer kings.

[AJFishdude]

Great thread. I cannot offer a wealth of information here, but I'll add my thoughts. I have a 9'6" Shimano Clarus that I really like (I believe it was right at $100 or so) and an 8'6" UglyStik Lite ($60?) that I have both used for floating jigs.I have caught fish on both setups and found that for myself, that extra foot of rod really didn't make an enormous difference in my presentation. I have never floated with anything over 9'6" though, so I don't know how much the longer lengths really help (I am sure that they do somewhat). In general, like Mike said, keeping the rod on the longer end of things will definitely help, and it will probably help you over the learning curve faster too, but remember that the most important thing really is learning how to mend your line.

As I see it, there are two main aspects to a good floating presentation. The most important is to keep the float straight up and down with your presentation looking natural (ie, the line is not pulling the float down stream, sideways, or holding it back upstream). This means having just enough line out to keep pressure off of the float. However, what I would say the next most important thing to do is to keep only the line you need on the water. You can let a ton of line out and the float may look great, but there will be no way to set the hook in time if a fish strikes. This is where the longer rod helps out because you can keep better control of the line, position it in the proper current flows, etc. But a word of caution, depending upon the size and types of rivers you fish, sometimes those big long float rods are just impractical to cast with (hiking down to the river, being surround by bushes, etc.).

So in my opinion, I think anything from about 8'6" to 10' is probably a good place to start, all things considered. I wouldn't be afraid to go with a longer rod either, but know that it may not work as well for other styles of fishing (if you want some cross over in your rod).

[Bay wolf]

Thanks guys for all the great input and information. After spending a lot of time on reading, researching and handling various rods i made a choice. I only considered rods that were in my budget. I know there are good ones, in the hundreds of dollar range, but I did not look at those in my decision. So, for the most rod for the money, I ended up getting a Berkley Air 10.9.

I spent 10 hours fishing with it yesterday, and I have to say I'm pretty darn satisfied so far. Teaming that rod with my new Stradic 3000fj feels very good and I had no arm or shoulder fatigue after that long day on the water. I was able to make some very, very long casts very smoothly. In addition, the extra length made mending the line easier and in some cases I was able to lift the line completely off the water for the drift.


Thank you to everyone that that chipped in!