Jim Bradbury Loc: Buckley Washington

I am in the market for a new Spinning rod to use for Steelhead and Salmon for fishing mostly the Columbia and Cowlitz rivers. This rod will be used for casting Spinners, Bobbers, and Drift fishing. I am undecided Between a G.Loomis E6X, Lamiglass Infinity, or an Okuma X Series. I have been thinking something between 9'-0 and 9'-6 in length and a Medium or medium/heavy action.

Thanks,

Jim

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Morning Jim. I'm not sure of the current in the Columbia or the Cowlitz rivers, I have never fished them. I fish the streams that flow into Lake Mich. Usually I fly fish the salmon with an 8# fly rod but I also fish them with a rod that I built, I'm a rod crafter, out of a 9', St. CroixIII blank, medium power, fast action, 8# - 12# line wt., 1/4 oz. - 3/4 oz. lure wt. I use 14# Power Pro braid and 12# Yo-Zuri hybrid Fluor. I tried 10# test but the bigger ones would break me off.

If I was you, I would PM Kerry Hanson, he is a rod designer/crafter and he is from OR. He may have fished those rivers and tell you exackly what to use.

Fishinmaniac Loc: SW Washington

Hi Jim. Any of those would be excellent choices. Much depends upon what you are willing to spend, and the warranty/service. I absolutely love my Lamiglas rods but my experience has been that warranty service can be slow and frustrating. Okuma are almost as good, and their warranty/service has been great.
I’ll share my preferences since you asked. Pictured are the specs on my bobber rod. The Lamiglas Si model is amazing. Mine is 10’ 6”.
The Okuma Ceymar C40 is not a particularly expensive spin cast reel, but I have found it to be solid and dependable. It is light and comfortable, and has a very smooth and consistent drag.
I use this rod/reel from the bank for both Steelhead and Salmon.
I’ve thrown in a pic of my favorite bobber and weight. I also use a 1/2 oz float depending upon what I’m hanging under it.
I hope that helps. Pick something that isn’t heavy and feels good in your hands. The reel needs a quick, positive closing action for when that bobber disappears. It usually happens so fast!
Good luck!

Jim Bradbury Loc: Buckley Washington

Thank you for the Advice. Someday, I would like to get back where you are at and fish the rivers back there. The Columbia and Cowlitz both have pretty good currents to them.

Kerry Hansen Loc: Bremerton, WA

Thanks Fly, but I am really from WA. I am/was primarily a Bait caster lure fisherman. My rods I make. My favorite which you can't get any more is an old G Loomis 8-12 LB 9 1/2' IM6 rod. What "Fish" recommended is pretty much what I use. My idea is lighter and longer rods. 9 1/2' is my minimum length. When I have fished from my Sled and drifted eggs or lures I used 10' spin rod 4-8 LB. My casting rod I used was able to cast very lite wt with 11 lb leaders. I use a 50 lb braid main line because of all of the mono on the bottom, so if I get hung up in it I can pull loose and lose only my lure and not a length of main line. yes you would consider that over-lining the rod, but my "FUSE" is the leader. If I do get hung up, I DO NOT USE the rod to pull loose risking damaging my rod. I let the rod lay horizontal and wrap the line around my coat sleeve and pull straight. I use that casting rod for both Steelhead and Springers. Of course with that light rig, and the strong current in the Cowlitz, I follow the fish. I think you catch more with finesse. With that spinning setup, I use all mono, 12 lb max. If you get too stiff of a rod, you can't properly load the rod when you cast, unless you use a heavier wt, to get the max distance. Similar to matching the fly line to your fly rod.

US MARSHALL Loc: LAKE LANIER GEORGIA

for what it's worth I am still using a 8'6" med heavy lamiglass rod i bought in 1988

Bgarr Loc: Redmond

At least a 9'6" if not longer. I have ISS 90 MC | Infinity 9' 8-15lb Cast (Drift/Spinner/Spoon) - love it.

Jim Bradbury Loc: Buckley Washington

Thanks for all the advice,

Somehow, in looking for spinning rods I ended up finding out about Edge rods. After much research and watching several videos, I ended up ordering a 9'-0" rod for casting Spinners plus an 11'-3" rod for casting Bobbers.