08-05-2013, 07:52 AM
The sensitivity of the rod varies from essential to completely unimportant depending on which methods you use. If you are using roe or a jig under a bobber, the sensitivity is a non-issue because you're watching the bobber the whole time. Rod length and weight is much more important than sensitivity because you have to mend the line and keep your rod tip high to keep the line off the water and prevent drag.
If you're casting spoons or spinners, sensitivity is good to have but not essential because you have some tension on the line and with sharp hooks they practically hook themselves.
IMHO, the only method where sensitivity is important in a steelhead rod is when you are drift fishing. You need to be able to feel the difference between a pickup and the weight hitting the bottom or a snag. Even then it's difficult and the difference takes a lot of time to learn. Drift fishing used to be the only method for steelhead, and is one of the primary reasons they were called "the fish of 1000 casts." People would literally go YEARS and lose lots of gear to snags before they managed to catch one.
That looks like a Blue Fox Pixie spoon. They work well on coho, so I don't see why you couldn't try them for steelhead. If they have trebles, cut them off and rig a single hook with the point facing the convex side. They'll hang up a lot less.
I actually own a 8'6" heavy action Ugly Stik Lite. Personally, I'd recommend going with a different rod for steelhead. They're heavy for their size, not very sensitive and don't have much backbone. I bought it for casting heavy saltwater jigs (4+ ounces) for salmon in Puget Sound because the lack of sensitivity wasn't an issue and the bwoingy action makes the rod load up well so those heavy jigs fly really, really far. It's also good for flinging heavy sinkers a country mile when fishing for catfish. But those advantages don't count for much when fishing for steelhead. You really need something that can cast lighter gear and has enough backbone to turn a fish on a run right into a snag.
If you are really strapped for cash, get an Okuma Celilo. They run about $45 and are a much better rod for steelhead. If you have a bit more to spend, get an Okuma SST or Daiwa DXS, both around $65 if you catch them on sale. The DXS only came out last year, so the Okumas are probably easier to find.
For the reel, I'd go with a Pflueger President. A great reel and the best value in the $50-$60 price range IMHO. I bought one last year and it has performed really well on cats up to 12 pounds. Should be fine for steelies.
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If you're casting spoons or spinners, sensitivity is good to have but not essential because you have some tension on the line and with sharp hooks they practically hook themselves.
IMHO, the only method where sensitivity is important in a steelhead rod is when you are drift fishing. You need to be able to feel the difference between a pickup and the weight hitting the bottom or a snag. Even then it's difficult and the difference takes a lot of time to learn. Drift fishing used to be the only method for steelhead, and is one of the primary reasons they were called "the fish of 1000 casts." People would literally go YEARS and lose lots of gear to snags before they managed to catch one.
That looks like a Blue Fox Pixie spoon. They work well on coho, so I don't see why you couldn't try them for steelhead. If they have trebles, cut them off and rig a single hook with the point facing the convex side. They'll hang up a lot less.
I actually own a 8'6" heavy action Ugly Stik Lite. Personally, I'd recommend going with a different rod for steelhead. They're heavy for their size, not very sensitive and don't have much backbone. I bought it for casting heavy saltwater jigs (4+ ounces) for salmon in Puget Sound because the lack of sensitivity wasn't an issue and the bwoingy action makes the rod load up well so those heavy jigs fly really, really far. It's also good for flinging heavy sinkers a country mile when fishing for catfish. But those advantages don't count for much when fishing for steelhead. You really need something that can cast lighter gear and has enough backbone to turn a fish on a run right into a snag.
If you are really strapped for cash, get an Okuma Celilo. They run about $45 and are a much better rod for steelhead. If you have a bit more to spend, get an Okuma SST or Daiwa DXS, both around $65 if you catch them on sale. The DXS only came out last year, so the Okumas are probably easier to find.
For the reel, I'd go with a Pflueger President. A great reel and the best value in the $50-$60 price range IMHO. I bought one last year and it has performed really well on cats up to 12 pounds. Should be fine for steelies.
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