I fish a Loomis Float Series 1262S rated 6-10# and 10'-6" with a Shimano Stradic 3000.

I have been happy fishing 10# ultragreen mono because it pretty much floats- making the mending easy, but now I am trying braid to increase sensitity- may not work??? despite what people say, I believe that sensitivity is important for float fishing with steelhead. often the float does not go down, but you can feel the "peck, peck, peck". this is also why length helps to keep mainline off the water. line of the water reduces sensitivity and hook setting power.

I will say that I am looking for an alternative float rod for big river winter steelheading. the 6-10# rating may be good for summer runs, but it is a little weak for hook setting a size 1 or 1/0. I have spent a great deal of time testing the different Loomis and Lamiglas rods in comparison to mine (in the store, that is). I believe that the Lamiglas X96JS is where I will end up. It is rated 6-15# and is medium power.

with increased length you get some increased sensitity in the tip, but you sacrifice power I believe. When I compare the 11' + Loomis rods to my 10'-6" they seem much more noodly.

I wish that the Vedder rod came in a spinning setup. and dont know enough about Lami blanks to find a similar one in their lineup.