This is not a debate of what the best rod is, but more of a question about which rod to buy. I have been looking for quite some time, and have narrowed the choices down quite a bit. This rod will be mainly a drift fishing rod for steelhead and salmon, but might be used for some bobber fishing. I have decided on a rod similiar to a 1025C. Biggest question is should I get this rod in an 8'6" or 9'. It is kind of a toss up, so I'd like to have more opinions. I'd also like to keep price under $200. That means no gloomis imx, but probably an rainshadow or st. croix. So, guys, let's hear the opinions...

Matt

THE 1025 IS AN OUTSTANDING ROD, IF YOU GO 9' I WOULD GO WITH THE 1084, ST CROIX MAKES GREAT RODS, BUT FOR A TWO PEACE SALMON AND STEELHEAD ROD I WOULD STICK WITH RAINSHADOW.

If you want a less (than Loomis) expensive rod, check out Lamiglas as well. I have few Lamis that I like. By the way we were due for a Loomi vs. Lami vs. ... thread

I'd go with the 9' I have never wished I had a shorter rod but I have wished I had a longer one.
Talk to rc I built him a 1084 Rainshadow maybe he can tell you how it fishes.

I have a 8'6 lamiglas cert. pro 8-17lb test works great for most anything i want to fish for in rivers, kings, coho, caught my first steelhead on it too.. i believe it was about 130 at sportco

OWTH hey check out an allstar....best value on the market. I can hear it now but.....ack out of here.

I picked up a 8-6 lamiglas casting 15-25 for 79$ at walmart, and a all star bass flippen stick 6-6 casting rod for 11 $. but that lami is a hell nice rod. there probly more of them at the port orchard walmart. Ben

GL3 1263C AWESOME spend the $$$$$$ you will not regrett it.

if you want a 1025 for under 2 bills buy a 1025 GL2, great all around rod

Unless you are on a small river (where you don't need a really long float rod) you should keep your float rod seperate from your drift rod. You should buy a Rainshadow 1025 and a Rainshadow 1263. Then just pack both rods with you and you are rigged up with 2 different rigs.

~ Dr Pepper

Read below and you'll find all that you need to know!
Tyler

I was thinking St. Croix or Rainshadow because of the sensitivity... I've been told they equal a gl3-gl4. I've also been told the gl2 just doesn't have the sensitivity... I know I can get any of these for under $200.

Rainshadow:
8'6" 1025C
Med-Heavy
Fast Action
8-17 lb. 3/8-1oz

9' 1084C
Medium
Fast Action
8-12 lb. 3/8-3/4oz

St. Croix:
Med-Heavy
Fast Action
8-17 lb. 3/8-1 1/4oz
9' AVID/AC90MHF2

If I go 9', it would probably be the St. Croix because of the line rating and lure weight meaning extra power. If I hook a big chinook, I'd like the power... Any more thoughts? Any other rods I should consider? Thanks for the help so far.

Matt

Rip, they stopped saying that now.....wonder why?

Check out the Lamiglas certified pro series
X 86 LC-T if you want light action.
X 86 MCT med action with ex-fast tip.
They only make a 9'in heavy action, if you plan on using bobers or floats alot go to a 9'6" or 10'you'll want the extra length for keeping the slack out of your line.I have the 9'6" med action
nice rod paid 150 for it no complaints.

Most Likely I should not even be posting this,
But you would be krazy to not go with a Rainshadow or an Allstar.
Best rods for the money spent hands down!!!
Peace Superfly

and there speaks Uncle Joe...listen to him. I got the Allstars and may be going for some rainshadow custom rods. Got several Lamis...nice rods but not a favorite anymore...the cheapest aren't as good as the allstars. Loomis?...are ya going to get support if ya bust one? St. Croix...nice but I've seen spline problems. In that price range theres too much overlap in qualities...flip a coin.

Hook and rod debates on here lately. I'll add my 2 cents worth.

Hooks:

I haven't even read the recent Vision hook threads. But I was told of some complaints about certain batches by some guys and others saying they've never had problems with them. The swivels were said to be great. Joe knows I tell it like I see it, and usually appreciates it. Anyway, I've used a lot of Vision hooks and never broke any of them. I have found a few in a large box of them that were not needle sharp, but those are in the small minority and easily sharpened - making them a good value for the price. As for the many Vision swivels I've used I broke 2 of their snapswivels at the flap catch. But they were really small size 12's that I got for summer steelie's in low water. I broke 1 on a large silver in medium water flow and 1 on a snag. I think the 12 lb. leaders should have broken first; but I also should have used size 10 or 8's in those conditions; and I've never had a prob with those bigger Vision swivels. As for other brand hooks in the last few months, I have broken 1 Gamigatsu 3/0 at the bend while fighting a fall chinook (usually use 4/0 or 5/0, but it shouldn't have broken), and I bent out 1 mustad that cost me a flotilla fish at the net without pulling overly hard on it. No hook failures with Owners or Visions (or the few Eagle Laser sharps I had left and used). The best hook in my opinion is unquestionably the Owner hooks - they are great, but expensive.

Rods:

I agree with Joe about the Rainshadow and All Star Elite rods. The blanks are really consistently well built and have a very sensative high modulous - better than the Loomis GL2's or like priced Lami's, and in the ball park with the GL3's. If you spend a little more than the factory Lamiglass and All Star rods you can get the great Rainshadow blanks excellently custom built by TH Custom Rods. If you have money burning a hole in your pocket, I'd recommend the Lami Titanium rod or the Loomis GL3 over their IMX - you'd have a hard time recognizing a sensativity difference, but the GL3's are more durable than the mega priced HMX's. ... The last 6 rods I've bought are 2 All Stars, 1 Buzz Ramsey IM7 new 'Lightning' version, and 3 TH Customs with Rainshadow blanks. The last 2 were the recent TH custom sized 9'6" rated for 8 to 17 lb. line - 1 casting and 1 spinning. I got them to use for mid-Feb. to mid-April large nate C&R fishing, May/June combo of spring 'nooks and summer steelies when in a river at the same time, and likewise when the fall salmon and winter steelies overlap for a few weeks. If I had to choose one all-around river rod, these would be it! Light and sensative enough for low water steelheading, yet plenty strong to land large Kings using 15 lb. UG leader. They are a bit light for backbouncing much weight or for fighting large 'nooks in in places such as snaggy Tillamook tidewater. Just like the modern chemcially sharpened hooks, the rods today are a big improvement in recent years - IMHO.

RT - Ooops, rambled out 3 cents worth again.

for floatfishing i personally use long rods from 13' to 15' but i guess your not looking for that. just my 2 cents........

tight lines......wayne........

Well, I could always use that extra cent!

I know this decision has been a tough one so far, and will continue to be hard. In the end, no matter if I go 8'6" or 9', I should be happy with my choice.
Since I don't plan on putting in an order for some time, what do you think about the "new" 57 million module rainshadow blanks. I've heard they're suppose to be great based upon the number, but I don't think anyone has ever tested them. The last I heard they were coming out in June, and a custom would be worth about $210? Should I consider these as well?

As it was stated, it is a toss up, and that's why I'm looking for opinions.

Matt

Gee RT we agree on the Owners.