Depends an xst 1142 (spinning) for smaller rivers, but I love my xst 1264 (casting) for chucking spoons and drifting rags on mid to big rivers for silver's and wild steelhead. But really It more about what kind of rivers your going to fish more of then the sp. of of fish Because I wouldn't take a meat rod packed with 15# to a low and clear small stream to fish for coho and wild steelhead. I landed 8-12 pound coho/steelhead on 10# fishing smaller rivers and didn't feel under gunned but on a bigger river with more flow been spanked on 12# with a upper teen wild steelhead so that's why I changed up to the meat stick (1264) packed with 15# and I can feel the bottom and light bites with no problem drift fishing and not feel under gunned.