8'6 rod good enought for right now ?

[chum77]

I have been wanting to try some jig and float fishing for a while now cuz i want to master somthing new but i was wondering if my 8'6 lammy cert pro is good enough to float a jig and float ? can i still be effective with it for right now is what im really trying to say ?

[Rossiman]

It wont be nearly as effective, if you high stick your rod at eye level you can achieve a "semi drag free drift".
My advice would be just to go and get a 10-13 foot rod. A 8 1/2 foot rod is more of a drift fishing rod, i also use mine for casting spoons/spinners. But i also have a lamiglas X10MTC and a Dave Vedder 10 1/2 foot rod. What i like about the Bill Herzog model is its versatility. You can use it for float fishing/spoon fishing/drift fishing/worm fishing/spinner fishing etc,etc......
Another thing you might want to keep in mind is the rivers you fish, the bigger of a river then a longer rod would be more optimal. However you also got to take into account, the bank access around you (trees,shrubs,etc.)

Hope i helped 
And to answer your question it can certainly be done, i have caught numerous metalheads with my 8'6 foot rods. It's just not as effective as using a 10+ rod.

[Rossiman]

Another thing, welcome to the board. You will learn alot here, i know i have!
Cough Todd is our master, Todd is our master, Todd is our master 
 

I don't know if you have read this yet but brian wrote a nice article on float fishing:
Brians how to
Float fishing

[Steelie Maniac]

8ft6 is alright for small rivers but it sucks for rivers like the Rogue

[chum77]

ya i thought i might have to get a longer rod. i will definitely get 10 1/2 or so rod hear real soon. gonna try to get the 8'6 rod to work until then but thx alot for the help guys i appreciate it.

[Chum Man]

the fish don't care how long your rod is.

yes, a longer rod has its merits, mainly for allowing you to make larger mends.  a shorter rod is often easier to deal and a lot easier to land fish with.  my main issue with fishing an 8'6 with bobber gear is getting a good hookset.  make sure you reel down and pull all the slack out of your line before you cross their eyes!

[Brian]

A longer rod has many benefits as already listed, but your rod will work fine to start with. On smaller brushy stream I actually prefer the shorter rod, but for most rivers a 10'er or longer will give you some advantages.

[LEAPER]

Unless it's a really small stream, I'd definitely go with a 10 footer or longer. If you are on a budget (like me  ), try Cabela's Fish Eagle II or Shimano's Convergence. They're around $70 I believe. Trust me, they get the job done. Good luck! 

[Rossiman]

I forgot to mention this, but my uncle used his 6 foot beefy bamboo stick last year and caught a nice chrome bright buck that was pushing the 20 pound mark...  He was using jigs, so it can be done. But the longer the better  . Why do you think so many guys use center pin setups in Canada, drag free drifts (and a hell of a fight).

[The Codfather]

If you have the time come up and see us at Sportsmans Warehouse in Fed. Way. We can make sure that you're taken care of .

Reinhold
835-4100 ext. 2

[cuttstosteelies]

You'll be fine.  I think most of us here started with an 8/6 as did 90% of most steeheaders.  start small and finish big.... Good luck

[chum77]

today i pretty much went out to give the technique a try today and get to know the mechanics of the system down at the cowlitz today didnt see anybody catch nothing today though not even a cutty but thats ok ill be back at it again tomarrow, with my jig and float ! definitely will be picking up a longer rod soon though

[Fllyfishy]

the fish don't care how long your rod is.

yes, a longer rod has its merits, mainly for allowing you to make larger mends.  a shorter rod is often easier to deal and a lot easier to land fish with.  my main issue with fishing an 8'6 with bobber gear is getting a good hookset.  make sure you reel down and pull all the slack out of your line before you cross their eyes!

A longer rod has many benefits as already listed, but your rod will work fine to start with. On smaller brushy stream I actually prefer the shorter rod, but for most rivers a 10'er or longer will give you some advantages.

I agree

If money is no object, get a longer rod, but I would not have a problem fishing an 8'6" rod.  I personally fish a 10' rod, but it suits most of the rivers I fish.  I fished an 8'6" lami for years, and caught quite a few fish.  As my rod collection grew, I started getting the nice to have rods.
I started catching steelhead drift fishing a  6'6" ugly stick spinning rod on the green years ago.  Fishing  with confidence and with the rod you have until you can upgrade, and you'll be fine. 

[dardevle]

If you work upstream, there are many section of holding water that you won't need a long rod.  Just  cast upstream and let the current do the work.

[BC Steel]

I have been wanting to try some jig and float fishing for a while now cuz i want to master somthing new but i was wondering if my 8'6 lammy cert pro is good enough to float a jig and float ? can i still be effective with it for right now is what im really trying to say ?

8'6" is fine to start with. As any good angler knows its not the equipment that makes the angler good, its the angler that makes the equipment good. If thats all I had to start with then I would use it and not even worry about it. I'd go so far as to say if you become quite proficient with the short rod for float fishing and then switch over to a longer dedicated float rod, you will be further ahead in the game than if you just went straight to the long rod.