10-20-2008, 09:19 PM
It could have more to do with the length of your rod. A few years ago I was privy to a monster trout hole in the mountains behind Big Bear lake. I purchased a fine new rod that was seven feet long and rated 2 to 6 pound with an extra fast action. It was a fantastic rod, one of the lightest and highest quality I've ever puchased. Couldn't land a big fish on it for the life of me. I had plenty of chances too. Rainbow and Brown trout, mean ones. Licking my wounds I went back to the tackle shop and picked up a good quality Steelhead rod. Rated for 6 to 15 pound it was 8 and 1/2 feet long and had my favorite fast action. I fished this rod matched with a Shimano Stradic 1000 size reel loaded with Stren 4 pound Magna-thin. Wacked those big trout. I keep whacking them to this day. Catch and release, mostly at night, Browns, Rainbows, and a Koke now and again. The longer rod doesn't wimp out when a big fish jumps and I have a lot more control leading them to shore or a net.Bonus is casting distance is also increased. My other rod is now my bait rod for catching Shiners and Bluegill we use for Flatheads on the Colorado river.
[signature]
[signature]