Saxmanpdx Loc: Boring Oregon

Hello everyone.
I am starting to feel pretty comfortable with my setup for hardly catching trout out of a lake and would like to step up to something a little heavier to not catch something a little bigger. It will mostly be for bank fishing for salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River, Sandy river and the Willamette River. I have a lot of the tackle needed in my dad's stuff he left me. But not the rod or reel for it. What would you suggest? Another reason I want something heavier is I got one of those Lucky Fish Finders and the sensor you cast out there feels very heavy for the lighter trout setup. So this would be sturdier and give me piece of mind I am not going to break the line or snap the rod when casting the heavy sensor. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with me. I really enjoy this sight and reading the stories. It keeps a wanna be like me entertained.
Enjoy!

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Saxmanpdx: Well, Dude, I don't what to tell you since I've never tried to use such a device. Is it possible for you to use a heavier cord and just sling that device out by hand? That way you're not likely to lose it. To have a rod and reel just to deposit a fish finder seems like a waste. I feel sure there will be others along who know more about your question. Just Sayin...RJS

Huntm22 Loc: Northern Utah. - West Haven

Interesting question there.

Saxmanpdx Loc: Boring Oregon

Basically I am asking what to get for a decent salmon / steelhead setup.

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

Budget and preference for spinning vs. casting are your starting place. For us to be able to advise, those two things need your parameters defined, then we can proceed.

Cubsfan Loc: Destin Florida

But what ever rod and reel you want . Don’t let anybody tell you what you can or can’t buy .

Captain Lahti Loc: Kennewick, WA

I have an Ocuma Cellilo spinning rod and a good spinning reel loaded with 30 lb braid that I use for steelhead up around the Snake for slip bobber fishing from shore. More than adequate. Probably could go with 20 lb test braid. A good sporting goods store will often sell them as a set and load the reel for you. If your going to bobber fish I’d go with a visible line color even if your just going to drift or plunk fish. The lighter line should cast further but steelhead in the slack water are right next to the bank when they are running. You should be able to get into Steelhead behind any of the dams using shrimp and jigs. Fish shallow.

Saxmanpdx Loc: Boring Oregon

Awesome. Thank you very much!

PBfish

Check with people at Loomis. Fishing the Willamette and Columbia with Springers going up to 40 lbers are quite different than 10-12 lb steelheads. Bank fishing usually requires more strength than from a boat.

Saxmanpdx Loc: Boring Oregon

Very true. Thank you.