Hello all,

I would like to build a casting rod for spoons and spinners for Georgian Bay steelhead.

What are the desired characteristics of a blank for this application? If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate it.

thanks,
Tom.m

I fairly new to steelhead around here but I've had good luck with an 8' 6" medium power fast action.it helps to keep a lot of line off the water so I could find a use for 9' rod in some water maybe longer

You can use fairly heavy line for spoons and spinners, the fish concentrates on the movement of the object, not on the line. Overall, 10-20lb test is a good range for this type of fishing. If you are fishing the great lakes go 8-12 or 8-17lb. If you are fishing other areas like the Pacific Northwest then you can go heavier if bigger fish are found there, otherwise the medium ratings I listed should work. I also never go below 10lb test for this type of fishing, you need line strength for solid hooksets and less breakoffs on the really hard strikes! I really only use the 10lb in clear river situations, otherwise its 14lb test almost all the time on my casting gear and 12lb on my spinning rods.

So you need a at least a medium power rod blank, one that will also cast a range of lure weights, you will find that you will use a variety of wieghts and sizes of hardware once you really get into it and fish this way more often. 1/4 oz to 3/4 oz lure weight is a good start. A fast to moderate fast action would also be ideal for this type of fishing.

8'6" to 9' would be a good starting point for length, you may find that you like the longer 10'6" blanks more, but its a personal choice, if you like the longer rods then go for it. I like a longer rod personally, but I tend to fish rivers a lot. A 9' sounds like the perfect rod for you, easy to transport and not too long. The longer rod helps a lot with hooksets and longer casts.

There is no shortage of blanks in this category, simply find one in your price range and get building.

I have also had good success with 8wt and 9wt fly blanks for this application, so thats another option.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/26/2012 02:39PM by jason vandeusen.

I think a Batson XST 1142 or 3 would have been about perfect in the GL when I was stationed there, leaning more towards the 2 power without more tackle size info.
Longer rods have less line in the water which will allow lure to run deeper, also more versatile for other presentations as you progress. Big, heavy #5 silver spinners in the winter will have me gravitate toward the 3 power, and if your area has any coho salmon like N. Wisconsin and other areas, I'd definitely go 3 power.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/26/2012 05:34PM by Spencer Phipps.

Hate to be a thread steeler....but maybe my question will help Tom.

I don't live near steelhead country so I don't know anything about the fish nor the rods intended for them. However I have developed a love for steelhead hot shot rods. I have one, a HS1023F and I think it would be fine for small to moderate sized spoons and spinnerbaits.

My questions is what are the other steelhead rod like compared to a hot shot blank? I have a handle on what a back bounce blank is. No clue on mooching and boon dogger blanks. I'm mostly looking for blanks that would do well casting live baits a long distance yet have the strenght to handle fish like a 20-30 pound tuna/dolphin.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

A "hotshot" rod would probably have a slower action to alow the plug to work the way its intended

I'm with Spencer on this. The XST1142 or 3 for all the reason he mentions. Another blank I highly recommend is the Lamiglas Cert Pro XSH1142MJ (6-15#, 1/4-12), which fits nicely between the 2 Batsons, having the feel of the 2 with more hook setting power of the 3. It was originally designed as a "steelhead jig" or "float" rod, but IMO is an ideal spinner/spoon rod. In any case, all are these are 9' 6" rods which are the perfect length IMO for steelhead spinner and spoons. Longer is tiring and unbalanced, shorter provides less line control and hook setting leverage on a light rod. The Batsons and the Lami exhibit a more moderate action, which I definitely prefer over the shorter and faster Hotshot rods for spoons and spinners, although others might disagree.

Hello all

Thanks for the suggestions and input.

I've looked over the options and was wondering about the MHX steelhead blank ST 1143 MHX 9'6" 6-12 line with a lure weight of 3/8-3/4. It is a little more affordable than the Rainshadow blank. Has anyone tried one of these blanks?

Thanks,
Tom.

I use the ST1022-MHX for Coho salmon. The blank is very light and responsive, though I find it's a bit light for fish over 10lbs.
I think the ST1143 will certainly meet your needs and is a very good choice.