08-24-2003, 09:29 PM
[font "Tahoma"][#336699][size 3]Spinning Tackle for Steelhead[/size][/#336699][/font]
[font "Tahoma"][size 2]For Casting Lures -
Rod - Medium to Light Action - 7 to 10 feet in length
Reel - Quality, Smooth Drag Reel that will hold at least 200 yards of 6-12 pound test
Line - Quality small diameter lines - sometimes fluorocarbon, are preferred. 6-12 pound mainline
Lure Selections - Hot'n'Tots, small spinners, small spoons, Rapalas, Jr. Thundersticks
Comments -
It is imperative to read and remember the Stream Regulations for each region and their seasons. During the typical season, lures are required to only have single hooks - with the current exception of floating lures. When the steelhead are fresh and are eager to bite, lures can be a phenomenal choice for enticing steelhead to bite. A proven technique in currents is to focus on a current break and allow the lure to "Swing" through the strike zone. When a hookup occurs, keep the drag light cause you'll be in for the run of your life...
Drifting Egg Sacs and Baits -
Rod - Light to Ultra-lite action Noodle Rods- 9 to 15 feet in length
Reel - a quality reel that will hold at least 200 yards of 6 -10 pound test
Line - Quality small diameter lines - sometimes fluorocarbon, are preferred. 6-10 pound mainline with a 4 to 6 pound leader.
Hooks - Fine wire egg hooks for drifting eggs. Hook sizes from #8's to #14's depending on the size of the sacs.
Comments -
For those new or interested in steelhead angling, it might be a shock to read that people often use this kind of tackle for occasionally 15 pound fish. Fighting even a 15 pound steelhead on a long ultra-lite noodle rod can be challenging, but far from foolish.
Techniques:
Free drifting - free lining or drifting baits like for any other species of fish is possible. Drag free drifts are very important as well as adding the correct amount of weight on your line. The most important thing to free drifting baits is keeping your line taught but yet not so tight that you inhibit the natural action of the bait. You want the bait to drift down the current naturally. Also, you want just enough weight on your line to contact with the bottom, but not enough to hang up constantly. Finally, keep anywhere from 1 to 2 feet of weightless leader past the shot to give the bait a natural presentation.
Float Fishing - Float fishing is a very common technique for fishing for steelhead. Setting up the float rig and hints for running the float are explained in the Centerpin Section below.
There are many benefits to fishing a noodle rod such as:
Less drag on the water when drifting because the line is much higher off the surface current. Result - better - more free drift
Slower action Rods make sudden fish surges alot less stressful on the line and hook. Result - fewer "quick" releases cause the hook comes out or the line snaps.
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[font "Tahoma"][size 2]For Casting Lures -
Rod - Medium to Light Action - 7 to 10 feet in length
Reel - Quality, Smooth Drag Reel that will hold at least 200 yards of 6-12 pound test
Line - Quality small diameter lines - sometimes fluorocarbon, are preferred. 6-12 pound mainline
Lure Selections - Hot'n'Tots, small spinners, small spoons, Rapalas, Jr. Thundersticks
Comments -
It is imperative to read and remember the Stream Regulations for each region and their seasons. During the typical season, lures are required to only have single hooks - with the current exception of floating lures. When the steelhead are fresh and are eager to bite, lures can be a phenomenal choice for enticing steelhead to bite. A proven technique in currents is to focus on a current break and allow the lure to "Swing" through the strike zone. When a hookup occurs, keep the drag light cause you'll be in for the run of your life...
Drifting Egg Sacs and Baits -
Rod - Light to Ultra-lite action Noodle Rods- 9 to 15 feet in length
Reel - a quality reel that will hold at least 200 yards of 6 -10 pound test
Line - Quality small diameter lines - sometimes fluorocarbon, are preferred. 6-10 pound mainline with a 4 to 6 pound leader.
Hooks - Fine wire egg hooks for drifting eggs. Hook sizes from #8's to #14's depending on the size of the sacs.
Comments -
For those new or interested in steelhead angling, it might be a shock to read that people often use this kind of tackle for occasionally 15 pound fish. Fighting even a 15 pound steelhead on a long ultra-lite noodle rod can be challenging, but far from foolish.
Techniques:
Free drifting - free lining or drifting baits like for any other species of fish is possible. Drag free drifts are very important as well as adding the correct amount of weight on your line. The most important thing to free drifting baits is keeping your line taught but yet not so tight that you inhibit the natural action of the bait. You want the bait to drift down the current naturally. Also, you want just enough weight on your line to contact with the bottom, but not enough to hang up constantly. Finally, keep anywhere from 1 to 2 feet of weightless leader past the shot to give the bait a natural presentation.
Float Fishing - Float fishing is a very common technique for fishing for steelhead. Setting up the float rig and hints for running the float are explained in the Centerpin Section below.
There are many benefits to fishing a noodle rod such as:
Less drag on the water when drifting because the line is much higher off the surface current. Result - better - more free drift
Slower action Rods make sudden fish surges alot less stressful on the line and hook. Result - fewer "quick" releases cause the hook comes out or the line snaps.
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