My son just moved to Seattle and I want to build him a salmon and/or steelhead rod. I know nothing about catching these fish in the Pacific Northwest, so I'd appreciate suggestions as to appropriate rod length, action, line and lure weights. Any recommendations for rod blanks would be welcome.

Thanks!

What type of rod? Fly, spin, cast, center pin?

What type of rod? Fly, spin, cast, center pin?

Either a spinning rod or a casting rod. Not a fly rod

The most popular salmon rod by far is the Lamiglas XCC934GH, the blank is the XCC 111 2H, thing is you can get the factory rod for the price of the blank if not cheaper. My favorite steelhead blank is the Rainshadow XST 1142F, but if I only had one it would be the XST1143F.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/15/2017 12:28AM by Spencer Phipps.

If you’re looking for a downrigger rod then the BP1266 is the way to go, or any of the rods from that RX4 series (I personally run the BP1265). [www.rainshadowrodblanks.com]

For river then the RainShadow RX8 series that Spencer mentions are awesome for a highend rod - [www.rainshadowrodblanks.com]

Though the RX7 series is incredibly popular in the Northwest, so the IST1143 would be great all around steelhead rod - [www.rainshadowrodblanks.com]

Like Lamiglass we’re also located in the Pacific Northwest (on the peninsula), we definitely know how to put together a salmon blank.

James Taylor
Batson Enterprises
BatsonEnterprises.com | RainShadowRodBlanks.com | ALPSForeCast.com | Build2Fish.com

Rainshadow.

Spencer Phipps Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The most popular salmon rod by far is the Lamiglas
> XCC934GH, the blank is the XCC 111 2H, thing is
> you can get the factory rod for the price of the
> blank if not cheaper. My favorite steelhead blank
> is the Rainshadow XST 1142F, but if I only had one
> it would be the XST1143F.

Same here in the Great Lakes. If I was limited to just one all-purpose rod, hands down it's an XST 1143. The XST 1142 is a favorite of mine too, just not quite as versatile.

Charter boat deck hands don't like the long rods near as much as the shorter ones when it comes to getting the fish in the boat. Guides use long rods to get a better spread in the smaller boat, Private boats you can go as long as your arms and net will let you go. When I fish alone I go shorter, and all my rods are spiral wrapped to make them easier to handle one handed.

The RS blank James mentions is a great blank but I prefer the 1146 as it is shorter and easier to handle.

Another great blank is the NFC SA 906-2. Tad heavier than the 1146 but great for handling bigger fish encountered out in Neah Bay and the ocean.

Make sure you use some Alps Ti guides to provide extra resistance to saltwater. I also prefer carbon fiber handles which can be sourced from Batson as well.

Regards,
Eric

Doug, Type of rod really depends on how you plan to fish for steelies. Bank?? drift boat?? sled??. I have fish a lot here in CA. for them. If you are a "Bankie" I would suggest a lite to med spinning rod with 12 to 15 lb test. If back bouncing I would suggest a "Hot Shot" rod with a small baitcaster and again 12 to 15 lb test. There are many blank makers who make this type of rod, Depends on your budget. I have a Lummis for back bouncing and a lamiglas for bank fishing

Thanks everyone for the great advise!

Doug, What part of WA. are you fishing?? River,ocean??

Mostly rivers from the bank or pier

Doug, Again I would suggest a lite to med. action spin rod, many blank makers out there, again, depends on your budget.
"bent rods to ya"

Google plunking, is that what you're looking for? You can also float fish from the bank or pier, very effective.