Steelhead Rod/Reel

Anyone know where and how much I could get a decent steelhead set-up? All I have know is two 6 1/2 ft. rods and I was told steelhead would snap them in half if I hooked up with one. Anyone know of a good 10ft pole or so and where and how much it would cost me? Also, if I use a 9 or 10 foot pole, what size line is best in order to land my first steelie? All info is greatly appreciated and for those that complain that I post to much, sorry that we all do not have the time to fish everyday and knowledge is key to any sport.

FishUSA.com has some reasonable combo deals.Look for salmon and steelhead combos. 9-1/2 to 10-1/2 rod works great.Price range is about $60.00 to $120.00 for both rod and real. I use either 4lb. or 6lb. line depending on the clarity of the water.

as long as you know how to set and work your drag, you can use a short rod.
 
There's a few advantages to longer rods, though.
Longer rods allow you to play large fish on lighter line.
It also allows to keep more of your mono  off the water, which helps keep line drag to a minimum.
 
personally, if it was me, I spend more on a quality reel and less on the rod.
You can land oodles of steel on a 9ft,  $29 SilStar.
You can break off oddles of steel on a $200 Loomis if it's outfited with a $29 Chinese, Korea, or Malasia made reel.
 
 
I'm with the others, i see no reason to use any line heavier than 6 pound.
On my fly rod, it's rare if i use anything heavier than 4 pound as tippit material
 
 
..L.T.A.

genieman what do you recomend as a good reel?

I was just looking at an Okuma Helios... I love it. Just can't decide if I want to drop $170 on a reel yet. Holding off till winter I think. Since I don't "need" it.

ORIGINAL: mook14

genieman what do you recomend as a good reel?

 
Mook, I'm not expert on reels, and there's a hundred guys here who will know better than me.
 but i'll share my experence with the 2 dozen+ spinnng reels I've bought in the last ten/15 years.
The absolute best spinning reel I owned was an older model AbuGaria Tourny addition.
This was before the buy out of garcia.
i paid $100 bucks for that reel..
I bought 2 abuGarcia center drag reels and found them to be JUNK
 
Gone through various reels from Bass Pro (junk)
 
Shimano..pretty good (but haven't bought one in years)
 
Shakepere..OK, but heavy
 
For the price, I've had good luck with Quantum reels and gander mountain Guide series.
 
Price is "generally" an indicator of a reels quality, but not always.
If you find a reel for under a $100 that says "made in Japan" chances are, it will be good.
If you notice, the top of the line Okunas and Shimanos are make in Japan.The lesser priced Okunas and Shimanos are made in third world countries
 
 
and believe it or not, one of the best value reels I've beat  and abused the snot out of, is a Lew's $12 special.
It looks similar to a Mitchel 300 knock off.
It has a crappy drag, and isn't finely ballanced, but that cotton picker is still a smooth cranking reel
 
 
..L.T.A.

'

Welp I said it before and I'll say it again,,, Go to "POOR RICHARDS"(inPa.)
Pick up a 9'-10' G-6 rod,,, they just went UP to say +-$35.00. and mount a Shimano 2,000 on it,,, Spin cast,,, $29.00 ( &19.95 at Wally World). fill it with 6# Tuff Line, and a 4' 4# flourocarbon leader. #12 or #14 hook,,, a gob of fresh,salted eggs, and after 10 years of pounding them twice a week or so,you just might have to purchace another real,,, I HOPE you burn it out !!!  LOL!  By the way,,,I landed a 281/2" and a 24"er the other day with the same rig,,, and if you have to cast to the deep water farther out just add a weighted bobber.

Just alittle advice. I know some have said that the shimano work good but I would have to disagree, after I have know burnt up two Shimano 2000 and 1 Spirex. I would not buy neither one. I will say that they did work fine until they got wet, from rain or after handling fish and maybe a few drops in the drink but that should have not been a problem when you talking about something that is made to pull things out of the water? I think some one already mentioned buying a real good reel and spending less on a rod, now that I will agree on. I personally use an Okuma Aria on a 10'6 St Croix noodle rod and a Quantum Response TI monted on a 9 ft Silstar, have had both combos for atleast 3 years and no problems to speak of yet. Alot of options out there but be careful those steel will burn out any subpar reel with the quikness.

anyone?
 

any other info is greatly appreciated.

Aren't you the guy that was bashing steelhead fishing in your other post????

http://www.fishusa.com/SalmonSteelheadSpinningCombos_c.html?i=92028911D3B947A18A9624A3A74BF849

Can anyone tell me the if they are selling there rod/reel combo? Looking for at least a 9ft rod with a decent reel.

newbe1, say HI to your mom from me.