Downrigger rod for steelhead/salmon fishing on the river

[kinghunter]

I'm thinking about buying a fetha styx downrigger rod 10'6" and I'm just wondering if you can fish that on the river also? Or if any of you guys have done it and what your thoughts on it?

[flinginpooh]

I use a fenwick mooching/downrigger rod for river fishing it has more power for bigger fish. I wouldnt use it for steelhead beacause of the light bites. Its just not as sensitive. But plunking or tossing more weight and fishing for kings coho and chum it should be decent. Id still find or use a lighter rod for springers and summer run steelies. Keep in mind too that having multiple rods makes switching bait easier too. I use 2-4 poles when Im fishing rivers. 1 set up for bobber jig and 1 with spoon and 2 with different corky set ups for drifting. This weekend Im gonna break out my fenwick and try some plunking for the first time. I got a chair and some beer and a plunking set up for my lazy time fishing lol. Fetha styx are good rods. I thought about picking up one but found my loomis at a price I couldnt resist so picked it up instead. Either way good luck and tight lines.

[curado]

fetha styxs are great rods but that would be a little heavy to use for rivers

[Blackmouth]

Will it work? Ya, a rod is a rod.

But a downrigger rod versus something you should be fishing with on a river is gonna hold you back..

As others have said, a few setups strung up and ready = ideal, that way you can fish any water if you have a few different setups to throw at em

[wintersteelhead]

I use my mooching rod when i'm fishing the columbia for salmon. I works fine when anchored using droppers/cannonballs. Not really worth a crap pulling plugs cause downrigger rods don't have much backbone.

[wolverine]

It'll work but that rod is mighty heavy in the butt and a bit soft through the mid section. It would be a beast to hold all day but if you're trying to have a one rod that will do it all, it'll work. Great rigger rod, good moocher, probably would cast 4-6 ounces for plunking, but would stink at throwing an inch of pencil lead or a light spoon or spinner. If you want a long rod and are going to predominately use it for river fishing a better choice would be a float rod.

[jens]

What the?