Salmon/steelhead Spinning Rods

[Starcraft5834]

If you could choose between a 8.6 ft Shakespear Ugly Stik med action, or a Daiwa 9.6 ft medium action, with similar 8-20lb test rated rods,, which would you choose??

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Salmon/steelhead Spinning Rods

ugly stick

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Salmon/steelhead Spinning Rods

thanks,, my gut was Ugly..........

 

[dingbat]

Re: Salmon/steelhead Spinning Rods

Too little information to make a comparison.
What method will you be using?
Diawa Model?
What is important to you?
Primary criteria?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Salmon/steelhead Spinning Rods

What river are you fishing for these Steelhead?

 

[LongLine]

Re: Salmon/steelhead Spinning Rods

Actually if your planning on hitting the salmon in Lake Ontario or steelhead in Lake Erie, the Daiwa Heartland 8'6 medium rod can't be beat. It's a main stay of the salmon crowd on Big-O. Actually, the reel is more important than the rod on these waters for these beasties. You need a real smooth drag. Also remember the longer the rod, the less stretch you want in the line.

Tom B.
(LongLine)

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Salmon/steelhead Spinning Rods

Salmon River in Pulaski NY is location,, the rod is more important in my view.. had (2) 10.6 ft Daiwa's snap in half in my hands.. before the line snapped... infact, the only time any rod has ever snapped in half in my 52 yrs stomping around the earth has been the Daiwa's.. After they snapped, I used a back up 7ft Ugly med... same spinning reel, same line,,, granted, not the preferred rod for a 20lb King... HOWEVER... Ugly performed very well, it bent like hell but never broke.. Fish on!! fish landed... I have a dim view of Daiwa's,, got the 9.6 at 1/2 price after I contacted Daiwa and told them about their product snapping.. will see how it goes next year..

As a result of my Daiwa experience I bought a 8.6 ft Ugly Salmon/Steelhead lite.. med action..
Will give both a go next season, will see which one I prefer....

 

[dingbat]

Re: Salmon/steelhead Spinning Rods

Salmon River in Pulaski NY is location,, the rod is more important in my view.. had (2) 10.6 ft Daiwa's snap in half in my hands.. before the line snapped.

Breaking a properly loaded rod is a rarity. Breaking two.......suggest you stick with Ugly Stiks

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Salmon/steelhead Spinning Rods

ya... my thoughts exactly.. could not pass up the 1/2 price Daiwa,, will give it a look

 

[dingbat]

Re: Salmon/steelhead Spinning Rods

As a custom rod builder I cringe when I see someone using a Ugly Stik but...... there are those that I highly recommend them too.

 

[LongLine]

Re: Salmon/steelhead Spinning Rods

Breaking two.......suggest you stick with Ugly Stiks

:facepalm: It really suggests a serious look at the drag.

Tom B.
(LongLine)

 

[dingbat]

Re: Salmon/steelhead Spinning Rods

:facepalm: It really suggests a serious look at the drag.

Tom B.
(LongLine)

I can count the number of rods I've seen fail becouse of a drag failure on one hand. The vast majority of failures are operator error.....aka high sticking

 

[Teamster]

Re: Salmon/steelhead Spinning Rods

As a custom rod builder I cringe when I see someone using a Ugly Stik but...... there are those that I highly recommend them too.

Ugly Sticks have their place,...

They can make a fine trolling rod,..................

 

[dingbat]

Re: Salmon/steelhead Spinning Rods

They can make a fine trolling rod,..................

The tips are too light and the action is way to slow. A progressive or fast action blank would be more enjoyable to fish

 

[Teamster]

Re: Salmon/steelhead Spinning Rods

The tips are too light and the action is way to slow. A progressive or fast action blank would be more enjoyable to fish

For trolling???

I don't like a fast action rod for trolling,...

I use power pro line with a 20 foot mono leader and the softer rod helps keep the hook from wearing a bigger hole causing the fish to come unbuttoned,...

 

[geoffwga1]

Re: Salmon/steelhead Spinning Rods

If you could choose between a 8.6 ft Shakespear Ugly Stik med action, or a Daiwa 9.6 ft medium action, with similar 8-20lb test rated rods,, which would you choose??

Any ugly Stik is a great rod if you're concerned about running over it with your rig,they are practically indestructible but on the downside rather heavy with floppy action.Of course if you are using it only from a boat and not continuously casting they're just fine.
geoffwga1

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Salmon/steelhead Spinning Rods

The vast majority of failures are operator error.....

Any ugly Stik is a great rod if you're concerned about running over it with your rig,they are practically indestructible

Remember those Ugly Stick commercials from the 80's, where the guy would bend the rod tip to the butt?... :suspicious:

I tried to show that to a friend once, in WalMart, but it didn't work... :bolt:

 

[dingbat]

Re: Salmon/steelhead Spinning Rods

Remember those Ugly Stick commercials from the 80's, where the guy would bend the rod tip to the butt?... :suspicious:

There is a new one out. Saw it on one of the cable tv fishing channels a couple of times. Wife takes his rod and put in the trash compactor. He gets it out and goes fishing.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Salmon/steelhead Spinning Rods

update.....got the Daiwa DXS, 9.6 ft,, dissapointed.......very stiff.......I would recommend it be used as a light surf rod.. should be able to heave a lure a mile,, not good for salmon,, I prefer a more flexible rod to enjoy the battle.. The Ugly Stik Salmon Light is the ticket men!

 

[dingbat]

Re: Salmon/steelhead Spinning Rods

For trolling???

I don't like a fast action rod for trolling,...

I use power pro line with a 20 foot mono leader and the softer rod helps keep the hook from wearing a bigger hole causing the fish to come unbuttoned,...

Yes, for trolling... Use #80 Power Pro with 6-18', #80 mono leaders. 2.5 - 3.0 mph trolling speed, drags at max.~#22-25 lbs. Holes are not a problem...leverage and getting a 10/0, barbless hook to stick in bone is... If you've ever seen a #30-50 fast action blank bent almost to the butt while in the holder, you'd understand.