We used 5# lamiglas 9'6" im6 blanks that we tied up ourselves for steelies when I first started. Fond memories of steelhead fishing was when I was ages 17-19 with a 9' #6 sage rpl light line with no fighting but. Dont know what it was but I landed a lot of steel in dsr and lfz in those years with that rod. #7-10' is an all around great steelhead rod. I am pretty fond of 11' length these days though

Room to play them.
Let them run under tension then pressure the heck out of them when they stopped.
Great tools under the right conditions in the right hands.
Went down to #6 tippet at the start but as line improved I moved to 8 then 10 and got the same free drift as the light line.
Others kept saying you had to fish #4 or less.
Babied the fish to death literally.
 

Just like most things in this game, you have to adjust and adapt.
I find myself using 10ft + rods and 2 or 4 lb leader up in the erie tribs when the water is low and clear, but usually 8 or 10lb for SR steel.

100% true bear. We used to use 3# line often for steelies when I was a kid in winter months. Didn't land a lot but can't tell you how many days we were the hot rods of the pool.