Steelhead and carp

9-9'6'' 6-7 weight would be more conducive to splitting the distance between these two in my opinion.

I fished for carp with my 5wt this summer and never felt 'outgunned' I typically fish streams that would be categorized as medium for carp. Some ponds and lakes too. Anyways, I caught two that were close to 30" and 12lbs and didnt have problems with my 5wt. I have an 8wt for steelhead though. Unless you are fishing for 30lb monster carp, I dont think I understand the heavy rods(8 or 9wt). The carp I fish for require such a delicate presentation that I think I would feel clumsy and heavy handed with such a heavy line.

I feel cheated. Out of the 15 or so carp I have caught this summer, NONE have taken me into my backing. Some had some powerful runs, but I never saw white dacron. With 3x tippet, you can really put the brakes on them with the drag without fearing breakoffs. This is sort of why I havent fully comprehended the need for a heavier rod. Well, unless you are fishing for seriously large fish, but I have yet to see in person a carp that was 30lbs+. I cant say there is a definite answer, but I choose to go for the lighter rod when I leave the house. My post was meant to be relevant towards the OP. I say go for the best possible steelhead outfit and view its carping attributes as secondary, because you can effectively fish for carp with a 5wt(which I am guessing you already own).

River or Lake Carp? I would say a 9'6" 6 or 7, my main focus would be on the reel though. They are called golden bones for a reason. Something with a sealed carbon fiber drag would be ideal.

6 or 7 is fine like stated above, 8 is a little overkill in my opinon.

ORIGINAL: FishinGuy

Hound, what's up w some side pressure? I wish I could get a carp to pull more than 10ft of drag. Even w 4lb test its never happened to me.

Sorry, next time I go I'll let you know so you can show me how to fight a fish.

I guess I'm just unlucky, no disrespect intended hound. Only joking. But seriously where do you find the drag ripping carp? Bigger rivers only?

haha you are making the decision too complicated. I just fished for steelhead this weekend with a 5wt fly setup. I think everyone agrees if you could only have ONE rod for pa fishing, it would be a 6. I assume you have a 4 or 5, so go with a 7 or 8 for steelhead. I would think the length of the rod would be more important than the difference in line weight. I would be going for the 10' 7wt all day, but thats just me. I am also the guy that carps with a 5wt etc.

But just think how sweet you'd look casting a 10ft rod in a big puffy coat!

ORIGINAL: Cold

10 footer ain't a whole lot of difference from a 9 footer once you cast it for 5-10 minutes.

How do you cast a 2lb ball of "mojo" on a fleepole letmenok.

Out in the open, it's no problem.

Unless it's windy