what weight

i know this question has probably been hashed and rehashed in the past and if so i am sorry but here it goes.i am new to the flyfishing scene,maybe 3 months,and thanks to some of the guys answers on this discussion board i have the confidence to fly fish for steelhead.my next question is what weight rod and reel should i use and should i used a tapered leader or can i tie my own leaders using flurocarbon?my last question is fish usa has 2 fly combos for sale in my price range a courtland and an okuma.which would you recommend? thank you for any help.

6 or 7wt rod. 4-6oz reel.

Buy or tie, make sure its tapered.

Either would be fine if theyre 6-7wt.

I agree with Bings 100%. I do like to use my 6 weight in the middle of winter though as the fish don't give near the fight they do in fall/spring.

I use 8 weights for steelheads. I have my eye on a 10 ft. 7 wt. that I think that was made for me. My everyday steelhead rod is an LL Bean, I also use a G-Loomis, both of these are 9 footers, with Battenkills on both. The new one that I want is a Reddington. I can get it from FishUsa for the same price as the flyshop where I saw it. The fellow there said we could negotiate, but I have to take the wife to the beach first. Ah priorities.

12wt

ORIGINAL: LoganWade03

12wt

haha... I own a strong, solid built custom 6 wt. and it does fine even on pig carp, but I need room to do so no doubt.  Get a 7... if you plan on getting a nice rod, may I suggest you contact Adam and work something out.  You can never go wrong w. a custom rod; better bang for your buck.   Not too mention, his work is flawless...

the proof:  www.laurelridgerods.com

check out his wraps in the pics...

I have a 9ft 8wt Reddington from Fish USA. I enjoy the rod.

All of the above is good advice. I'd go with a 7wt if you just plan on fishing Erie. If ur planning on some kings in NY, I'd get an 8wt which is still ok for steelies. I do not use leaders when steelie fishing. I just tie on mono and my fly. Your cast are short and your drifts as well, this works fine this way. A tapered leader is designed to turn a fly over durring your cast. You don't really need this when fishing in the tribs, so I just usethe straight mono. I've caught hundreds of them like this with  no performance issues. I personally like Okuma, but thats me both outfits from fishusa are ok. Good luck and once you hook into a few on the fly your noodle rod will just be collecting dust !   

You can catch minnows on an 8 weight, i dont think rod weight is an issue in fact it will help you roll cast better and as im am told it gets pretty busy and roll casting in syncrinization is the cast of the day. If the tribs are like anything like first day of trout around here im bringing the 15 with the antireverse Billy pate.

single hand - 7 wt, plus or minus one. Double hand - 5/6 or 6/7. Would love to buy a 12 1/2 ft 5/6 for erie bigger water but can't afford it. Been spending all my spare change on musky plugs this summer looking for a replacement for the 6" jointed loke. Haven't found it yet.