Hello all,
Need alittle help, guy wants rod ( spinning ) to cast 1-1/2 oz a distance of 300' to catch steelhead 16+ lbs. he will be using 30 lb. braid line. No rod length restriction, but need to be sensitive.
I know it's most likely got to be a fast action blank so he feels the bit. Some other craziness is he's up 50 ' above fast moving water, so this means fast moving bait, and quick to re-cast
I know the choice of reel size will be very important. Thanks for any help, Dave

David,
If you check out many of the surf rod setups, the distance and lure weights are not much different than what these folks do every day on their regular bay fishing trips.

Roger

That sounds like the rods that the people on the Columbia use for bank fishing sturgeon with. Some of those guys use catapults to cast the line out. Crazy to watch.

Guys around the great lakes use home made air cannons ........... I have one and it will shoot it 100ft if you want it to ........... they are amazing

I'd suggest you build an 8 foot Hot Shot type rod suitable for casting that amount of weight. You can reach 300 feet without much trouble if you're a decent caster. Remember that more length, provided you/he can handle it, will help achieve the distance needed. There are many 9 to 10 foot light surf plugging rods that could easily do this job as well.

...........

try scott at fishsticks..he had some really nice light surf models by cts and also has the tommy farmer blanks

In addition to building the rod you might approach this customer about building him a landing net with a lightweight sixty foot handle.

Phil
That's a really good idea....
Dave

David -
Rainshadow RX7's. This blank is a "go to" for me for bank fishermen ISA1266F although it may be a little longish it will do the distance.


Here's another MHX that should be a good choice: SA1025-MHX



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/07/2010 08:37AM by Ken Preston.

The folks at Lamiglas do a lot of Steelhead fishing and should be able to give you the best recommendations. There are several models for your consideration. Ron Arra, Super Surf, GSB and GSH(steelhead blanks).

Although 300' is not a great distance, it could be bothersome doing repeated fast casts with a short rod. I would look for something in the 10 and possibly 11 foot range.

10 or 11 ft...? Go with 7'6"-9'6" (why let it get into unwieldy and annoying when it can be reduced to reasonable) rated w/ 1.5-2 ounces on the top end of it's ability and in fast action so you'll have the sensitivity and backbone to be able to handle a fish once you hook into it...

For a reel, it's tough to argue with abu 6500's or 7000's (HSN). I was making 40 yard casts with a flick of the wrist and 1/2 an ounce on a 7 ft rod so 1 23/46's (yeah it equals 1/2 , just being different) on a little bit longer rod when your actually trying should be no problem. They have a fast enough pick up to make it easy on your wrists and can cast all day with little problem.

Battling 16+ pounds steelheads from a cliff fifty feet above a raging river will require a rod which can do a lot more than cast 300'. This guy is going to need a fish-fighting rod of heroic ability. I suggest a ten foot telescopic rod which he can collapse down to four feet when he hooks up. This would give him the backbone and leverage necessary to play the fish under the conditions you describe.

Have built quite a few spinning "casting" rods in the last 5-6yrs for what you are describing. Great Lakes pier casting. Some of my best casts with 2500, 4000, shimanos, and 3000, 3500 size diawas have been in the 120 meter distance w/ 1oz pyramid sinkers. Not the best flyers out there, but good. IN most instances though, 8, 10, 15lb braids were used, not 30 like what you want but here is what I have used for rods..

Sage CT 3113M (11'3" mod-fast blank)--concept system, 25 TYSG, 16TLVSG's, down to 7's, 6's or 5.5's depending on line
Sage CT2106-- (10'6' mod-fast blank) Concept system again, 25TYSG, 16TLVSG, down to 6's
Loomis ST1445 (12') fast action
Either of these two blanks would handle the weights and tosses you put out. I would recommend a 5000 size shimano with the propulsion line management systems, maybe 6000 even. And above all work on casting technique. Technique always wins out in casting distances...