The first time I ever got to fish for steelhead using plugs was years ago with a OP Guide named Rod Erickson. He made us hold the rod and set the hook as soon as the fish hit. We caught a lot of Steelhead with him.

On the Kenai I learned to let the fish beat the crap out of that Kwik fish and rod for a count of three before taking the rod out of the holder.

I would be curious to hear other's experience with the rod in our out of the rod holder when plugging for Steelhead.