Picking a new Steelhead Rod

I got an Echo Ion 1007 last year and I'm very pleased with it.

I am starting to look around for a new one also. I think I might go with a TFO 10' 7wt.

ORIGINAL: KJH807


i have a TFO pro 10' 6wt (w/ butt and interchangeable bottom grip)

The one with the Kung Fu grip & G.I. Joe stickers?

I noticed St Croix sales a 9' 7wt but not a 9'6" in the Avid series.  To ge tthe 9'6" or 10' you need to go to the Legend Ultra.  Avid in MOD and Ultra fast.  How do these two case. I have a Avid 5wt that I am pleased.

the St Croix designs are some of my favorites. The Avid 9'6"" 7 wt (when they sold it) wasn't. It was a bit on the heavy side and a little slow. The Avid series in general were better at 9' or less.

The SCIV is another matter altogether. The 9'9" 6 wt was about perfect. The 9' rods in 6, 7, and 8 wt are wonderful rods. The 8'9" 8 wt is another beauty. The 10' 7 wt is a bigger rod, has a lot of power, and is borderline for 'too much rod' when the PA streams are low and you're in the smaller ones. It will be perfect for Elk or Walnut at full pool and the Ohio streams anytime. Would do for a NY steelhead rod and in a pinch would be alright for smaller kings. For 300 grains of sinking lines and shad darts it would be a great rod. I haven't cast the 9'6" 7 wt, but interpolating between all of them I can imagine it is pretty sweet also. You just have to cast them and see if that action is to your liking.

To me, the RPLs are moderate to moderate fast action and underrated on line spec. I suspect they would measure that way on the CC system. That isn't my preferred action. The SCIV are right on the money for rating with truly moderate fast actions (one or two are actually fast). Other rods that compare are the TFO TiCr series and Amtak IM6 (though the Amtak is lower modulus and a little less responsive). The loomis rods are another ballgame yet for action/casting style.

Depending on your price range, I would also suggest going custom. If you're considering a SCIV you're into custom rod price range. You can get whatever grip/butt setup you want and should come out with a better rod. The rainshadow 9'6" 6 wt fishes like a 7 and is a great steelhead rod (built it for my dad). Would do really well as a shad rod. The blank would be comparable to an Avid series.

Thanks
Rick

Thanks,
Rick

Check out the TFO Jim Teeny series. I have the 10' 7wt and love it.

esox has this in the fly fishing classifieds.  looks like a great deal.  dt uses this rod, i believe.
 
 






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Orvis Clearwater 107-4 9.5 Tip Flex -- 10' 4pc 7wt Fast Action. Comes with tube and sock. This rod was used sparingly for steelhead over the last couple seasons. I have 2 other 7wts and have no use for this one. $125 obo

i have the clearwater mid flex 9'6" 7wt without the fighting butt(i lost it last winter.) it's light. i got it for $99.00 just coudn't pass it up at that price.
i wouldn't buy a tip flex for steelhead imo. if using light tippet and the way a steelhead takes off there is more of a chance the tippet will break.
i use this for largemouth and this is what i caught my pike on. throws big weighted buggers and streamers without problems and roll casts eggs and spawn patterns with no problem.
sometimes a price and warr. warrents the buying of a rod and not the brand name.