Originally Posted By: supcoop
With a 300 budget I would look at used curados from Craigs list or Ebay. I would spend more on the reel than the rod. You can make due with a mediocre rod but a crappy reel will suck to fish with.


I guess I agree with this if you're talking float fishing. If you're going to drift fish, the rod's more important. I like the used equipment idea. Actually, a used Lami Cert Pro is about the best money you can spend on salmon-steelhead fishing IMHO. I've got 3 or 4 I bought used for $75-$150 or so, based on condition. They're all killer, including 2 of my all time favorite/fishiest rods. If you like cork handles, all the better. Kind of sucks that you can't buy a new Lami Stealth or XMG with a cork handle. Actually has kept me in the used market to a degree.
_________________________
If every fisherman would pick up one piece of trash, we'd have cleaner rivers and more access.