Turkeygirl Posted January 20, 2010 Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 What is the minimum weight to go on steelhead? I have a 5 wt. rod and while I used it on steelhead last year, it was a bit too light for sure. Is a 6 enough or should I go with a 7? Was looking at a few in Cabela's, nothing real expensive...they have a few combos for $50-$75 which would be nice because then I don't have to switch around rods with one reel.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggs Posted January 21, 2010 Report Share Posted January 21, 2010 You can get away with a 5 or 6 weight, but I'd say 7 is really about as low as I'd want to go. I have a 10' 7 weight that plays fish nicely. I've also used my buddies 8 weight, and to be honest, I liked having that extra spine behind it. Firmer rods will pick all that line and shot-filled leaders up off the water quicker and makes directional casting easier to. I guess it all depends on the rod, but the next one I buy will probably be an 8 weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 I would get a fast action 6 or 7 weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted January 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 Well I'm thinking of this in a 7 weight, then getting a decent line separate: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20431-cat602038&id=0051114320533a&navCount=23&podId=0051114&parentId=cat602038&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IA&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat602038&hasJS=true Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted January 24, 2010 Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 I own the Three Forks rod, I like it so far! I have the combo with the Prestige reel. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20431-cat20433-cat20457&id=0051114320440a&navCount=3&podId=0051114&parentId=cat20457&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IA&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20457&hasJS=true Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted January 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 Wish fly line wasn't so darn expensive...Probably going to get Cabela's Prestige line that already has the loop on the end...Set this whole rig up for steelhead. Well the rod/reel is a birthday present so I won't be able to play with it until then but we sometimes get a nice Feb. thaw which = steelhead fishing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted January 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 Any suggestions on type of fly line for steelhead? My 5wt rod I have Weight forward fly line and was going to stick with that type, unless there's something else that's is better for steelhead.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggs Posted January 26, 2010 Report Share Posted January 26, 2010 The weight-forward line is the way to go for dead drifting with an indicator. If you want to get into bottom-bouncing or more traditional swinging you'll need to look into sink tips. I usually go on stream with weight-forward line rigged up with an indicator, and I have a spare spool with a sink tip for bottom-bouncing. To start off though, I'd recommend a WF line. You can still bottom-bounce with it. Just make your leader longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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