Alright, I can't seem to find quite what I'm looking for with the search. I'm building a rod for a friend's wedding present. Its going to be used to casting spoons and spinners, primarily from piers on Lake Michigan for Salmon. I know it needs to be long (probably 8'-9') but am not quite sure what line rating the rod should have. I think he's fishing 50lb braid on a spinning reel. Would something in the 10-20lb class work or would need to be in the 15-25lb range?

If anyone who does this type of fishing could point me in the general direction that'd be great! (I mostly fly fish or fish bait for cats)

Thanks!

I have fished the southern part of Lake Michigan for some time. Myself, I like an 8' 6" rod. I use a St Croix, 2C86MHF2, blank. It has a line rating of 8 -17 lbs. This is a med. heavy rod. Works well for the Steelhead, Coho, and Kings here.

[stcroixrods.com]

TONY TAKE A LOOK AT THE BATSON RDR BLANKS...RDR80M OR THE RDR86M...BOTH WOULD FIT THE BILL NICELY...THEY ARE ALSO ON SALE AT MIDWEST ROD AND REEL THORUGH SATURDAY...HERE A LINK CHECK THEM OUT
[www.midwestrodandreel.com]

Bill@midwestrodandreel.com
www.midwestrodandreel.com

I made a couple out of the batson ip907 and ip908 4 piece fly blanks.

these rods are a little light for the purpose though. In the chicago area guys throw 1/2 oz spoons for coho and 3/4 oz for kings (it's king season now) a stiffer/faster rod would be better for those 3/4 oz spoons. Same applies for bigger crankbaits which we also use for the salmon.

the fly rods are good once the fish is hooked. especially steelhead. it's like having a 9ft shock absorber. even more important now that everyone fishes braid.

btw - 20-30lb powerpro is the standard line here for shore spin fishing the kings.

My personal favorite for this is Batsons IST1143 the tip is fast enough to allow easy casting but still soft enough to allow a good hook set and protect the line in case he hooks a big king or coho. I also use mine for "chukin and duckin" with bait (spawn usually) in the spring. BTW the salmon should be biting in ST Joe right now with the recent rain... got to go.



Vic

For casting I would recommend the IST1144 for Kings. For a boat rod down rigger fishing I would recommend the RDR86MH. For Divers BP1024.

Rod Blank Model # Rainshadow IST1144F-M
Butt cap: SBC20B
Front Cap:
Rear Grip: RGS12A-350
Handle Arbor:
Reel Seat: GS17-GWG-C Thread down towards rear handle
Reel Seat Shim SHIM/17/SPIN
Foregrip: FG25A-250
Winding Check: BWC13
Hookeeper: TCHKS
Tip Top XTCPZT06F05.5
1st guide from tip top XPTCFZG06
2nd guide from tip top XPTCFZG06
3rd guide from tip top XPTCFZG06
4th guide from tip top XPTCFZG07
5th guide from tip top: XPTCFZG08
6th guide from tip top: XPTCFZG10
7th guide from tip top: XTCVS3TZG12
8th guide from tip top: XTCVS3TZG16
9th guide from tip top: XTCVS3TZG25

Guide spacing Specs(inches from tip, center ring over mark) 4.25-9.25-15.25-22.25-30.125-38.250-48.5-61-76.750

Karry Batson
Batson Enterprises Inc.
Ph: (877) 875-2381
Fax: (360) 683-3579
karry@batsonenterprises.com
www.batsonenterprises.com