I often get asked what the most important piece of equipment is when it comes to steelheading.
While a case could be made for your reel, my answer is always the rod. Steelhead are strong, acrobatic fish that can deliver serious punishment to your gear, and it's the rod that takes the brunt of that abuse.
When I give that response, it's usually followed by questions about which rod is best. There isn’t an easy answer to that because as with any other fishing, the rod you use is going to depend on the technique and your specific situation. That’s why steelhead guides will have multiple rods rigged up for a day on the water, and they'll make sure that the gear they've chose will cover any situation thrown their way.
Sure, it’s not practical for bank anglers to be carrying a bunch of different setups with them , but if you determine how you want to chase these incredible fish, then you can start narrowing down what rod you want to use.
To help with that, we’ve put this article together, looking at what we consider the top rated steelhead rods for whatever technique you might be using:
Length: 9’
Power: Moderate
Action: Fast
When it comes to steelheading, using a spinning rod is one of the most versatile ways to catch them. Every seasoned steelheader has at least one, and for newcomers, a spinning rod is the best place to start. With the right length, power, and action, a single spinning rod can cover multiple techniques, from float fishing to bottom-bouncing to casting lures.
In short, the right spinning rod means not having to carry multiple rods when walking the bank.
St. Croix is no stranger to building high quality fishing rods, having been handcrafting them for over 70 years. While some may argue that there are better spinning rods for steelhead, what St. Croix manages with their Triumph Steelhead rod is to incorporate high-quality components at a fraction of the price of a custom rod.
For an all-around steelhead rod that will cover multiple techniques, we recommend going with the 9-foot, fast-action, moderate-power option.
This rod has the length needed to properly present a float and cast the smallest lures with ease. It loads well even under light terminal tackle, and casts better in the wind that any fly rod, ever.
And St. Croix's blank tech means that you'll enjoy enough sensitivity to feel even the lightest of strikes, while still having the backbone to tame a hot steelhead.
The long, premium cork handle and Sea Guide Atlas Performance slim aluminum-oxide guides are tremendous allies in a hard fight, and when John fished this rod, he was really impressed by how it cast and handled hard fights.
No, it's not inexpensive, but given its tremendous versatility as a steelhead rod, the St. Croix can actually save you money by replacing two or more specialized rods.
For bank anglers looking to reduce what they carry to their favorite rivers and streams, the Triumph Steelhead is a real winner.
Pros
Cons
Length: 9’6
Power: Medium-light
Action: Fast
Casting rods are another great option when it comes to a nearly universal rod.
The major difference between casting rods and spinning rods is that casting rods are better suited for heavier gear. Bigger rivers often mean bigger fish and, in turn, larger presentations. And whether you’re float fishing, drift fishing, or casting lures, casting rods have the power to handle big steelhead in big water, but lack the ability to present the ultra-light set-ups than many Great Lakes steelheaders are familiar with.
But if you’re looking for a big water rod, a casting rod is the way to go.
Since the early 80s, G.Loomis has been handcrafting high-quality graphite fishing rods. Having a hand in transforming graphite from the lightweight but fragile rod material it was back then, into the strong, sensitive rods we know today, G.Loomis is one of the most well known brands in steelhead fishing.
Every rod in the G.Loomis lineup is hand-crafted with the utmost care, using their multi-tapered design to reduce weight, while reinforcing possible weak spots of break points. Strong, yet super sensitive and light weight, the E6X casting rods feature the qualities G.Loomis is famous for at a reasonable price. Sure, there may be more affordable options on the market, but none compare to fishing the E6X.
For a multipurpose rod, we recommend going with the 9’6” medium-light, fast-action model. With that length and it's incredible sensitivity, this rod is perfect for float or drift fishing, and is still able to properly present spoons and spinners, all with the power of turning big steelhead in heavy flows.
Chalk that up to an outstanding carbon fiber blank that loads well under heavier terminal tackle and casts a country mile. And as you'd expect from G.Loomis, these rods are paired with high-end components that deliver the performance steelheaders are hungry for.
Long cork handles and Fuji guides mean that fights with hot steelhead go your way, even when they try to run.
And yes, like the St. Croix, the G.Loomis E6X isn't cheap, but it can save anglers a lot of bank by replacing rods with one strong all-rounder.
Give it a try, you won't be disappointed!
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Tackle Direct | FishUSA | G.Loomis
Length: 11'3", 13’, 15'
Power: Light and Medium-Light
Action: Moderate
Centerpin fishing is nothing new to the steelheading world, yet year after year, it garners more and more attention. It's now one of the most popular methods around the Great Lakes, especially north of the border where you’ll see more centerpins than any other technique combined.
It’s not surprising, either, as the drag-free drift allows bait to be presented under a float more accurately and naturally than any spinning or casting rod. Not only is it one of the most effective ways to catch steelhead on any river, but there’s also something to be said about fighting strong, acrobatic fish drag-free, with nothing slowing them down but the palm of your hand.
With the use of light lines and dragless reels, a centerpin rod takes the brunt of all punishment, acting as a shock absorber to keep those light lines from snapping under the pressure of a big steelhead. The longer rods also aid in float control, making it easy to mend and control the line above the float and prevent that line from dragging the float, creating an unnatural presentation.
The recent surge in centerpin anglers has also led to an influx of custom-made fishing rods, and while it’s nice to have a rod tailored to your personal specifications, that doesn't mean there aren’t great factory options available, and the GLX Centerpin Rod is as good as those factory made rods can get.
The price could spook even the most hardened centerpiner, but hold one of these rods, and you’ll quickly understand the care that G.Loomis has put into them. The GLX is lightweight, perfectly balanced, and incredibly strong.
When Dan fished with this rod, he was really impressed by its build quality, and he thinks this one might be last centerpin rod he needs to buy - just don't tell his wife!
Most Great Lakes centerpiners will be using the 13 foot version as its a rod that can easily fish the lighter gear used in small rivers, yet still have enough power and back bone to handle fish in bigger water. If you’re someone who spends the majority of their time fishing smaller streams, then the shorter 11 '3 would be the way to go. since space will be at a premium. On the other hand, if you’re always on bigger water, the 15 foot version would be the better option.
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Length: 12’6
Line Weight: 7wt
Spey rods came about as a way for west coast salmon and steelhead anglers to accurately and properly present their flies in big water, the long, two handed rods making it easier to fire big flies long distances and get out to fish that would normally be unreachable.
Spey fishing isn’t only for the west coast, but can be equally effective on Great Lakes tributaries. The downside here is that there are few rivers large enough to effectively fish a spey rod, or for it to be necessary for that matter. But on rivers that are big enough, it can be a fun and effective way to catch steelhead.
There's no shortage of spey rods on the market these days. From the high quality and expensive, to bare bones entry level rods, fly anglers have a lot to choose from. The Reddington Claymore Spey Rod falls right in that sweet spot where it's not outrageously priced, but also not clunky and hard to fish with. A great rod for both beginner and advanced spey fisherman, the Claymore has a smooth and powerful blank that is perfectly balanced to reduce the fatigue that can come with a day of two-handed casting.
The 12’6 7wt model is the most ideal version of an all around spey rod. The length makes it great for fishing big water but is still short enough to work in tighter quarters. Of course if you’re fishing rivers that don’t allow for much back casting room, you could always downsize to the 11’6 model, however, we do still recommend it in a 7wt to retain the power needed to control big steelhead.
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Length: 11’
Line Weight: 7wt
To put things simply, a switch rod is a hybrid that marries a two-handed spey rod and a conventional single-handed fly rod. The result is a rod that can be used to fish multiple techniques from swinging flies to indicator fishing.
On the water, that translates into steelhead tackle that can cover multiple river conditions with multiple techniques in a single day.
Temple Fork Outfitters Axiom II switch rod is the first of its kind to achieve the right balance to properly present multiple techniques, optimizing two-handed casting while combining it with the ability to single-hand cast in tight quarters. Where most other rods are available in different lengths, the Axiom II comes only in an 11 foot version, the ideal length for both line management and fighting leverage. No matter what technique you’re using the rod loads up easy and the result is long, accurate casts like no other even in confined areas.
Just like with a spey rod, we recommend using the 7wt model as it provides the perfect balance of handling big steelhead without overpowering the smaller trout and steelhead you may run into along the way.
Dan loves this rod, and if you find him with a spey rod in hand, it'll be this one!
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Length: 9’ and 10’
Line Weight: 7wt, 8wt, 9wt, and 10wt
Single handed fly rods don’t get a lot of love for steelhead these days as more and more anglers are turning to switch or spey rods to handle their big fish.
But single handed rods shouldn’t be ignored, especially when it comes to fishing for steelhead on tight tributaries where single-handed rods might be the best option for big fish in tight spaces.
The Douglas LRS is a rare combination of high-end components in a rod that's affordable for just about anyone. From the stainless steel stripping guides to the interchangeable fighting butts, the LRS has all of the features you should be looking for in a single handed rod with the quality you would expect from rods that cost three times as much.
What impressed us the most about this rod was its incredible fish fighting ability. Both the 9 foot and 10 foot versions in a 7wt have more than enough power and strength to land any Great Lakes steelhead. If it’s trophy fish you’re chasing you could always go to an 8wt or even a 9wt, but those are rods that will quickly overpower smaller fish.
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You're spoiled for choices when picking out a new steelhead rod, and you need to consider your options carefully.
Determining what technique you are going to be using is the first and most important step in figuring out which steelhead rod is best for you.
While the right spinning rod or casting rod can cover multiple techniques, many steelhead rods are technique-specific. For instance, you’re only going to use a centerpin rod for float fishing or a spey rod for casting big streamers.
Deciding how you want to target these fish will greatly narrow down your rod choices.
And as I've mentioned in the reviews, if you want true versatility, a spinning or casting rod is probably your best bet.
Once you’ve determined your preferred technique, you’re going to want to consider the rivers you will be fishing.
For example, a spey rod isn’t going to be the most ideal choice when you’re fishing small rivers that offer little in the way of casting room. On the contrary, a single-handed fly rod isn’t going to offer the casting ability needed to get your fly out to fish holding in big water.
Boat anglers, drift boat or otherwise, have a luxury that bank anglers just don’t have: the ability to carry multiple rods that can cover multiple situations and fishing techniques.
As a bank angler, the last thing you’re going to want to be doing is lugging around a bunch of heavy, awkward gear. Unless you have your mind set on one specific technique, centerpin fishing being a perfect example, we recommend choosing a spinning or casting rod, as their versatility is just unbeatable.
Steelhead are strong, hard fighting, acrobatic fish, and as their popularity continues to grow year after year, so too does the tackle designed to tame them.
The single most important piece to the steelhead puzzle - choosing the right rod - can be more than a little overwhelming. No matter how experienced with steelhead fishing you might be, innovation in not just the rods themselves, but also the techniques used make that decision tough.
But we hope we were able to shed a little light on the process with our picks for the best steelhead rods.
Leave us a comment and let us know if we were!
