If you thought hooking one on normal tackle was fun, just wait until you hook your first steelhead on a fly fishing setup. Brand Name: Saion. Now back to my soapbox - get sunglasses they are more important than the rod. The longer noodle rod helps in mending your line to eliminate slack in case of a strike. You have to be careful to give yourself enough time to set the depth of the bait. Plunking is not just fun to say, but it’s also an effective way to fish for steelhead from the bank. Float Rod and Center Pin Reel. In addition to a fishing license, steelhead anglers need to purchase a … Echo BRAVO 8/10 Fly Reel (setup left hand retrieve unless you specify otherwise) OPST Commando Skagit Shooting Head (grain weight selected and matched by a Red's pro) OPST Lazar Line Shooting Line (size matched appropriately to head weight by a Red's pro) OPST Sink Tip (Run … Bring all of your leaders (which you should tie ahead of time, at home) as well as plenty of alternative equipment. Each rod balances differently though, and a rod with a down-locking reel seat will often balance better with a lighter reel than one with an up-locking reel seat and longer bottom handle. The fish are usually pulled in by hand with an action called stripping. Invested in some waders and a decent pair of polarized glasses. You’ll catch more fish in a shorter amount of time – with minimal mishaps and maximum enjoyment. After creating a fast spin of the spool, you must quickly cast towards your target. That is not a hard and fast rule however as the size of your river should dictate the length of rod. Best Steelhead Setups ​1. The STR1162-2S is quite possibly the only rod that I can use for both techniques and species. The critical part of this setup is the weights, most anglers use small spit shot about 12-18 inches above the hook. Can you Eat Carp? Use small floats for drift-fishing the Lake Erie tribs. Chrome-headed jigs, a recent development, are also very effective under bright conditions. Jigs also produce in very deep water (over 8 feet) and are one of the few presentations that causes steelhead to rise from the bottom. An ideal drift has the bait riding just off the bottom directly under the float. Fishing a nightcrawler for steelhead is best with a bobber or stick-float setup. As you gain more experience with this type of rig, you’ll likely find yourself landing more fish. Casting for steelhead is more effective in the summer, probably because steelhead have a higher metabolism as the weather warms up. Five different species of sucker enter Elk Creek in the spring to spawn, and lures that imitate their egg clusters are effective, especially in spring. Productive baits include minnows, single eggs, egg sacks, skein, wax worms, maggots and nightcrawlers. Steelhead Rigs for Bank Fishing: What are the best choices? Yet, the steelhead running the Lake Erie tributaries are unlike any other angling quarry in the state. "When it comes to finding the right Spey rod... the best length really depends on how far you need to cast. The line was approximately the same length as the rod. Drift Fishing. You can calculate how much weight you need to get your lure to the bottom, as well as how easily it will stay on the bottom and move with the current, but it’s tough to do. Action: Fast. This setup is ideal when the water is high, such as in early spring, as well as when the current is moving more slowly than it ordinarily does. There’s not a lot of science involved with fishing steelhead from the bank – all you need is a bit of practice, a lot of technique, and some exceptional knowledge about the best steelhead rigs for bank fishing. The float slips below the surface, just as it would when you are bobber fishing for any other species, and then you can set the hook. Steelhead are one of the most prized light-tackle fish to fly fish for in North America. A longer rod will allow you to easily pick up and mend the line to offer the most naturally free drift. Echo TR2 Complete Setups Include: Echo TR2 Trout Spey Rod; Echo BRAVO 7/9 Fly Reel (setup left hand retrieve unless you specify otherwise) When the water is high and colored, the bigger baits (egg sacks, skein, etc.) 1. I like to use Okies, but there are others you can choose, too. Thank ya for the tips heading up next week, Your email address will not be published. Been using a 40 dollar combo from bi mart and its pretty bad. Black is a better lure color in clear water–white in murky water. This setup is often made worse by poor maintenance, cranking that drag knob as tight as possible and tying a snap swivel on the end of the line that is as big as my thumb. 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