newbie to river fishing

[bassandgrass]

Hello ladies and gentlemen,
I need your input. I've fished all my life in deep canyon reservoirs, but have relocated to western Washington and want to get into river fishing. I want to set up an all around salmon and steelhead rig. I really want to do some float fishing with jigs since I've tied my own bucktails and enjoyed their success in deep clear reservoirs in the past, I thought the transition to maribou would be rewarding. I also want to be able to toss spoons, spinners, and even drift a little. I have a Daiwa baitcaster set aside, but want your opinions for the rod. I will be mainly fishing the Satsop, Chehalis, and Wynoochee rivers since they are the closest to me. Most of my fishing will be from a canoe or gravel bar pit stops I make while paddling these rivers.

I'm on a $100 budget and have narrowed my choices down to two. Shimano clarus 9' medium 8-17 line 1/4 - 3/4 oz lure weight or an Okuma Guide select 9'6" medium light 6-12 line 1/4-1/2oz lure weight. I like the added length of the okuma but am a little worried about the lower line and lure weight rating.

I think the okuma would be fine for jig and float but what about the other methods? Do you guys regularly fish more than 1/2 oz ? Also do you think 12lb test is a little light when going for coho or chinook?
thanks for your help!
p.s. any other input or recommendations would also be appreciated.

[The Codfather]

I love the Shimano for its price, life time warranty, but the Guide Select in the 9'6 is a good buy as well. It will do for drift fishing, and float fishing. For this time of year I would go with the Okuma, but for fall chinook in your area something rated a touch heavier will be nice. For coastal chinook 17-20lb line. For coho twelve is fine, and hatchery brats 8-12lb. Nates depending on the conditions 12-17lb. Lastly.....


 

[cuttstosteelies]

I've heard too many horror stories about the okumas to be confident with that purchase.  The back of sportsmans in lacey is littered with broken ones.  I owned one years ago when they first came out and was pleased but the graphite seemed "different" substantially weaker in my opinion and I sold the rod.  The Clarus is a great rod and I'd hop down a rating and go with the nine foot 6-14.  Much wider range of species that you can target with that rod.  I am also a big fan of the berkely IM-7 rods and most stores have them on closeout now as the new IM-8 version is on the shelves. 

[queets guy]

IMO a bobber and jig set up is a great set up for new-coming steelheaders. You already have a head start on tying them, just research and check out some stelhead jigs on the net and start tying.  Pretty simple to tie really. A longer rod will benifit you as far as bank fishing goes, longer the rod, easier it is to mend.  The Okuma guide selects arnt bad rods but Id take a look into the Berkley Air IM7s, they are cheaper than the Guide select and I think they are a better rod.  I have 3 of them and have had great success with them.  A 9'6" or 10' rod would make an excellent bobber rod, throw on some 20 or 30lb braided Power Pro in 6 or 8lb Dia. and you are set to bobber fish.  You mentioned trying various tactics which is a great idea but I think getting really familier with one tactic is a lot better approach and is probley a lot more effective.  Once you are successful with one set up feel free to expand your ways of fishing so you can cover various types of holding water. Bobbers also make good set ups because there isnt really detecting a bite.....bobber down....fish on, as compared to drift fishing.

Books are a great option to research steelhead fishing, there are various books out there and Im sure some guys on this site will reccomend some good ones.  Steelhead are a pretty easy fish to catch its just the water in which they live in is what makes it hard.  Nothing teaches you more than time on the water, Im definitly not a pro when it comes to steelhead but Im not a rookie either.  Either way I hope this advice helps, good luck on the water.  

[bassandgrass]

Thanks for your help so far.
Queets guy, I really want to float fish jigs mainly but didn't want to buy a float specific rod, that would limit my options on the water.
I have other rods that I can use for casting and retrieving spinners, but want a dedicated rod for the steelies and salmon. I will have to look into the berkely rods.
keep the advice coming!

[BigCohoTom]

B&G:  Welcome to the Great Pacific Northwest and to Steelhead Notebook.  I'd recommend the longer rod for float & jig fishing.  As for Okuma rods, I only have one and it's holding up OK so far.  Best of luck and tight lines.
                      BCT

[rwgav8]

I know its over your $100 budget but I'd look for the X 96 JC 6-15# 9.5' Certified Pro from Lamiglas.  Its a great all around rod.  Ive used it for big kings on the Hump and its still sensitive enough to fish smaller silvers and steelies.  You can sometimes find a good deal on a used rod.  Check ebay or craigslist.  Boaters World has it for $180. 

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/477655682.htm?bct=%3Bcicasting-rods

Good Luck!

[dardevle]

X 96 JC 6-15# 9.5'

That was the first "expensive" rod I ever bought myself 15 years ago and it's a great all around rod.  I still have it today and use it from time to time... especially as one of my boat rods.  It will handle all fish around here unless you are targeting big kings.  I have landed 30 lb. kings on it as well(not to mention a 22lb. steelie).  If I could only have one rod to fish and couldn't spend more than a couple hundred bucks, that would be the one.

[LL]

I've got three okuma's and after 5 years my 9.5 finally snapped this year. There a good disposable rod for around 30 bucks. Sportmans warehouse sent it to okuma for me and the warranty is only for 3 years but for 11 bucks they are sending me a new top half. not bad.

[Fast- eddy]

Welcome Bassandgrass 

[BigCohoTom]

I gotta agree with rwgav8 and dardevle.  My first choice would be a Lamiglas rod.  I've got two and they are both GREAT !  [and a little pricey $$$]  But for less than $100, an Okuma can get you started.

[LEAPER]

bassandgrass, welcome to the board. Yah if you wanna spend a few more bucks, I'd definitely go with the xj96c. Sometimes you can find 'em on sale for about $160. The xj96c is really light and very sensitive. Or you can get the Berkerly IM7 rod for around $60 (on sale). I myself am not too familiar with the shimano or okuma rods.

Dardevle, what reel and line did you use to land that 30 # king? And that 22 # steelie?

[Streamer]

I also recommend the X96JC because it is one of the best all around rods you can get. Lifetime warranty against manufacturers defects... and can handle most river fishing scenarios.

[dardevle]

Leaper the steelie was landed on a Shimano Bantam 201 SG and the chinook I believe was Ambassadeur 5501C3 both using 12lb. Maxima.

[younggun]

i've landed plenty of chinooks on 12lb while fishing for coho.