Years ago i fell in love with Okuma’s T40X Salmon Steelhead Trout rod. By the time i got my 7’9", 9’6" & 10’9" i had started a local demand & local shops started to carry it as a Whipping Rod (spin casting rod). Most of my “whipping” buddies started to purchase them. My friend Wayne Choy started to collect them as well. Locals saw me hauling in large rays & hooking +10lb Jacks from time to time & they wanted one as well.
Then 3-1/2yrs ago it was discontinued. This rod was a PNW (Pacific Northwest Rod) meant for the Salmon Steelhead & Trout anglers. Then the NEW re-designed model came out. The Guide Select Pro Series. Well, i decided to try 1 before going hog wild like i did before. So i got the GSP-S-992M model at 9ft/9in, line rated 8-17lbs with lure rated weight at 3/8-1oz.
My thoughts? A little stiffer bend rating compared to the previous T40X. I was wondering why the ratings weren’t heavier, now i know why. A lot lighter in feel. More “sensitive” then the previous series. Castability? I used a 3/8oz lead egg, the lightest weight rating. I was casting into the breeze & no hang time or resulting bird nesting.
Earlier i was getting good hits but i think the smaller lighter wire hooks i started out with (#4 & #8 mosquitoes) may have been ripping out. I should’ve brought some 1/0’s. So i stated bait casting “dunking” some live Mangrove Crabs. Today there were just too many bigger crabs around because every crab bait was destroyed. How could i tell? The leader line above the hook had multiple crimps from other crabs holding on.
I used orange CHL Minnow Grubs made by local grub maker Landon Yamamoto. I’ve had great success using this grub color over the years. The fish that i hooked are a favorite for lure makers as the dried skin is used to manufacture trolling lures. Also they are tasty raw or fried. But i was there to see if these Guide Select Pro’s were worth investing in more sizes. They are!
Thanks for sharing, it’s been a long time since I was last at Whitney, 2004 to be exact deer hunting. As mostly a boat fisher person a good day bank snagging brings back the fond memories.
Been far to long since we roamed the North slope. Whitney was calling us. Took a break from moving and remodeling to take Cookie to her favorite spot in the Uinta’s (Whitney) for a picnic and some fishing
Location - Whitney on the North slope of the Uinta’s
Condition - mid day (not optimal), brezzey and warm
It had been hit hard over the Father’s day weekend. We passed lots of RVs headed out and many staying. Still we found a spot up near the inlet side to have a nice picnic and toss in a line for a minute. We always have a contest when we go to Whitney. This time Cookie used her garlic green powerbait and I threw steel in gold and silver colors (on this trip Jakes , Superdupers and meps) .
For mid-day the fishing was still pretty good. Normally we get more tigers out of Whitney, but rainbows and some with nice size, dominated the catch this time (no cuts)
June is such a great time to fish Utah (any time is a great time, but June can be special). Hard to decide where and what to chase, but you just have to toss in some good runs to the mountains to catch a break from the heat, and hit those lakes and streams. I know we will be back soon. Whiskey Island graying are calling as are those amazing colored brookies - see ya there
Video attached - I enjoy filming up in mountains - such a great setting for film
