Hi all. I'm curious what other builders would consider as the most versatile rod length for steelhead?

For instance, I fish in the Southern Ontario area in various Great Lakes tributaries which can vary quite a bit in size. Lately I have been sticking to two main methods - casting spinners/spoons and float fishing with jigs/soft plastics/roe bags.

I've been using spinning reels with rods built from 11 foot switch rod blanks but am considering trying a 9.5 or 10.5 foot length medium light steelhead blank. In the past I have used rods that varied from 8.5 to 13 feet but these were very specific to a technique.

I'm now looking for one rod which can do my two preferred techniques decently, recognizing that some compromises will need to be made.

Any suggestions are welcome.

thanks
Tom

Hello Tom - If you are considering medium light rod blanks in the 9.5 or 10.5 foot length, MHX Steelhead Rod blanks have you covered, ST1142-MHX [www.mudhole.com] or ST1262-MHX [www.mudhole.com] - Thank You

Bob McKamey
Mud Hole Custom Tackle
bobm@mudhole.com

North fork st 962 or 964 are awesome 9’6” always seems to be my go to. A little extra length is always nice for floats but that always depends on the size of river and how much room you have overhead to cast

I wonder how a 9 foot hot-shot blank would serve your very different needs?

Jim Bedford an expert on spinner fishing the Midwast for 35 years and author of many articles in national magazines and books, likes a short rod for spinners 7 1/2 ft last I heard, but he fishes some pretty tight stuff. A 9 1/2 ft blank like the Rainshadow XST1142, or 1143 are an excellent choice as would the same in the IST format. If you're fishing small hooks while float fishing choose the lighter blank.

No one rod can do it all but a 9'6" rod rated 6-12 would be well served with floats and hardware. The NFC 964-2 is a great stick.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I get there will always be trade-offs since the techniques I am using are so different, but am looking for the "middle ground". Usually I am heading up river casting hardware and then drift floats on the way back down.

So rather than bringing two rods I'll make due with one and the 9'6" seems to be the leading length. I'll check out NFC, MHX and the Rainshadow blanks as recommended.

Lots of info on Rainshadow blanks in your specifics, and much more in general in the search function here. Just make sure you select "all dates".

I did exactly what you are suggesting a few years ago. Wanted a rod for centerpinning and spinning for steelhead. Started with a 9'6" St Croix, and used it for a year or two. Wasn't unhappy with it, but then built a 10'6" rod to get better control/longer drifts and castability with the centerpin. And now I'm building an 11'6" just for centerpinning and have a spinning reel on the 9'6" rod.

I would say if you are floating with a spinning reel then a 9'6 rod would be fine. If you plan to centerpin I think the longer rod aids greatly in castability and control. You can cast with less effort with the longer rod is what I mean. Just my own two cents.