Northwest Fishing Reports

Ok river guys, I want some rod suggestions for drift fishing with the following guidelines:

Spinning, NOT baitcaster (I'm not gonna try to learn baitcasting by pissing off everyone around me on a busy river! I also don't have time to throw a weight in my backyard)

Price under $200

What ya got?

lamiglas Rouge River special. This is close to what I am running. mine is special edition rod that they made for outdoor emporium.

http://www.lamiglas.com/prod_indiv.php?groupid=44

my suggestion is to get a rod that is 8'6" to 9'6" in length....medium/heavy or medium power, medium/fast action.

I purchased a used Lamiglas Rock Creek Series 9'6 last year and absolutely love it. You can get it new for under $100.00. I landed many, many Kings/Silvers/Chums/Steelies with it and now I specifially use it for Float fishing for Steelies. I heart it. [love] [love]

But my desire is the G Loomis STR1163 9'8. :bounce: :bounce:
I'll pass my Lami to my son next Winter season.

Scott - They don't make that in the right length or power ifor the spinning models. (guess I could go 8'6" but I'd like to do 9' or longer)

Jens - Where dcan you find those?

bionic_one wrote:Scott - They don't make that in the right length or power ifor the spinning models. (guess I could go 8'6" but I'd like to do 9' or longer)

Jens - Where dcan you find those?

They make these in 10'6 also, but I found the one that I use..

http://www.croutdoors.com/lamas96ml.html

You can get away drift fishing with it, but tossing 1 oz cannonballs isn't recommended.

no do not use a graphite rod for kings please. I have seen them shatter in peoples faces. That is a great steelhead rod though.


This is close to what I am using
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... hasJS=true

Will the 9 foot medium handle kings? Or should I go 8'6" MH or H ?

Edit: Also considering this in 10'6" medium - St. Croix

In my opinion Lami Cert Pros are the best dollar for dollar rods on the market. I Have tried them in the past and I finally had to buy one of my own I liked them so much. They are just under 200 and are very sensitive, very strong and light. The x89ts should be a good fit for most rivers. And could go for a great all around rod.


http://www.sportco.com/productcart/pc/L ... p43287.htm

bionic_one wrote:Will the 9 foot medium handle kings? Or should I go 8'6" MH or H ?

Edit: Also considering this in 10'6" medium - St. Croix

Trust me on this one. Five year warranty vs lifetime. Cert pro vs wild river. 196 vs 140, Hands down still lami cert pro. They have them at cabelas too but I dont remember the price and theyre not on there website. Id try and get a Med/Hvy min for kings and if you do get that action you will be able to use it for king silvers chum and the big winter steelies.

I will have to agree about the lami.........I love my lami rod.

10"6" is a little long for me, unless you are using it for a float rod. I wouldn't get a Heavy rod due to less sensitivity.

All this input is steering me towards the 8'9" Med/Hvy Mag Taper. That would have good sensitivity with good backbone too right?



I started river fishing with a 7' uglystick, not knowing what I was doing, went to a berkeley AIR IM8 because I didn't want to spend so much money, and that shattered on me after 8-9 months. (though I did like the rod a lot)
I temporarily went to a 9 foot ugly stick cuz it was cheap and I knew I couldn't break it, but I basically use that rod to troll in saltwater.

After feeling the sensitivity in the AIR IM8, I know a nice rod is worth the money, but I'm still a cheapskate!

i piad 145 for my rod at wholesale sports in Silverdale. Not sure if the one in federal way carries them or not


nothing wrong with a ugly stick I used one last year and landed kings to steelies on it and it worked great.

Fetha Styx Predator FS-P-SH-962-2S
http://www.fethastyx.com/coastal-conser ... on/rods/7/

bionic_one wrote:Will the 9 foot medium handle kings? Or should I go 8'6" MH or H ?

Edit: Also considering this in 10'6" medium - St. Croix

Nothing special about the wild river series, I've got one and it's an okay rod, just comparing it to the Okuma rods, the wild river feels overpriced. I bought one because I needed a new steelhead rod and got a gift certificate at bass pros. The avid series feels to be a superior rod, but it's also 230 bucks.

Take a look at the Okumas before you purchase anything.

kzoo wrote:

bionic_one wrote:Will the 9 foot medium handle kings? Or should I go 8'6" MH or H ?

Edit: Also considering this in 10'6" medium - St. Croix

Nothing special about the wild river series, I've got one and it's an okay rod, just comparing it to the Okuma rods, the wild river feels overpriced. I bought one because I needed a new steelhead rod and got a gift certificate at bass pros. The avid series feels to be a superior rod, but it's also 230 bucks.

Take a look at the Okumas before you purchase anything.

If you are looking at Okuma, go with the Guide Select. I HAD the SST, and didn't like it.

I own 2 guide selects. Both 8'6" one med and one x heavy. They are not bad rods at all. And Ive bought both of them off ebay. 1 used for 34.00 and one new for 23.00 That is a smoking deal on them. They sell for 84.99 at Sportco. And they have a lifetime warrenty on them as well. I swear to you this after fishing with an okuma guide select, lami mcb 86m , g loomis str1084s, lami cert pro x96mc, and many other cheaper rods nothing beats a good lami or loomis. Weight balance feel sensitivity you name it. Hands down best rods on the market. I went down when looking for a new rod at the puy sportsmans show. Played with all the rods. I was impressed with the st croix avid series but they sell them for more then a cert pro at sportco. And really they feel of the cert pro is much better. The MSR on it is 280.00 Sportco sells them 100 under that. You will not be dissapointed. If you dont like the rod Ill buy it from ya. But I know youll like it. The 8'9" would be an excellent choice and it would do it all for ya. Id still buy more rods though. Thats partially cause Im addicted to new things. I love the feeling of a new rod and the first fish on it.

Very true Pooh. If you are going to spend as much time as we spend on the rivers, it really boils down to how that rod feels in your hands. Some guys I fish with don't have a Loomis or Lami and they catch a crap load of fish. And then there are those and I am one of them, who have to have a Loomis or Lamiglas and we catch a crapload of fish. If your budget is under 200, you can find several great rods available.
What is your spinning reel btw?

Shimano sonora, but that is likely to change next month.

bionic_one wrote:Shimano sonora, but that is likely to change next month.

What are you getting or shopping for?

The wife just got me a Flueger Asaro reel.......this is so nice can't wait to give it a shot tomorrow