i will be fishing steelies and kings with it, i want a fast action to mod action, 8-17# test rating or so, 10-10.5 foot, do you peeps recommend faster action as apposed to moderate action..? im going to idaho in nov. to fish the b-run steelies, and i need a good bobber and drifting rod.. thanks for any input..i hear that rainshadow are nice blanks, so i call bob batson up and he doesnt sell to the public..so im stumped there.. anyways, hopefully someone here has some good advice..thanks

I bought the gloomis 1265c for similar use (floats for chums, silvers, some steelie use), but it's heavier than my wrist can deal with comfortably one handed.

The 1263 probably would have been a better choice, although I don't know how it would have handled a big chum (let alone a pig chinook). For what it's worth....good luck!

skywalker, whats the # test rating for your gloomis? and whats the length?

I have a 1084 IMX, an 1143 gl3 and a Lamiglas 10.5 6-10lb casting rod.
The 10.5 sure could use a counterweight if you're making alot of casts in a day.
I have found that playing a strong fish is more fun with med action rods than the fast and ex-fast.
Less stress on the line and the wrists!
I noticed that the sockeye anglers on the Kenai had better landing rates with flyrods than the gear fishermen with the meat rods.
It's hard to judge until you've brought a couple of fish to the bank with each.
Good luck!

the test rating on the 1265 he's talking about is 10-20lb, and it's a 10'6" rod. He is right about the weight though, I bought one and ended up selling it for that reason. I couldn't fish the rod for the whole day without feeling wiped out. For the assembled rods, the Lamiglas Vedder model (X106MHC-T) is the one that you can live with, they counterballance the rod with a weighted butt box and it does make a big differance. after fishing that rod I now use the counterballance on all the rods I build over 10'.

Loomis numeric designation for most rods...
1263....126=length in inches, 3=line rating (6-10, in this case)
There are exceptions but you'll have to ask someone else to explain those.
Hope this helps.
Dan

After re reading your original post, you realy might be better off doing two rods, one for steelhead and one for kings, just depends how big the kings are you're after. The Loomis 1263 is a killer Stelhead rod, but it is pricey(sp) at $300.00, and it really won't have the backbone you are after for kings. I biuld King rods for a customer who fishes Alaska on a Lamiglas Perigee blank. They are fast, powerfull, and a very nice looking blank to boot, and a completed rod goes for around $225.00. If you build on Rainshadow componants, you could get 2 rods for $350.00, one for Kings and one for Steelhead. It is a hard task to pick a stick that you will be happy with for multiple species, it can be done however.
Bryan at res173r8@verizon.net

Berkley Boy, With a moniker like Berkley Boy why wouldn't you just go buy 2 Berkleys for about 75.00 a piece.

Not to bad of a rod either.

I don't know the numbers of their rods but if ya's are limited to buying 1 rod ya are not gonna quite have the right one all the time.

I've got a few few Berkleys and do use them on different occassions.

fp

That's not a bad call, except that I looked for an Air IM/7 rod too for fishing floats and couldn't find one over 8'6" that could handle more than a light (not sure, but I'm thinking 3-10lb or something) line.

I think the comment about 2 rods is right on. That's tough duty, handling kings well and not being too much for steelies, especially in the summer.

I'm surprised the Allstar guys haven't jumped all over this. They gotta have something to say, along with TH. They're the guys that best know what's available. Maybe their just waiting for the crackers to shut up. Or they're fishin'.

hey BERKLEYBOY75, I sent you a private message, maby this will help.

I have a rainshadow 1264 and love it. Great chinook and float rod but might be a little much for steelies. The Loomis 1263 would be a better choice for drifting but lacks the backbone to be a good float rod. So like others mentioned before I'd say you need two rods.

fp, i do own 2 berkley rods, the im7's one casting 10-20# rating and one 8'6 8-12 for steelies, but slow action..and yes, thats where i got my name from..cuz i exclusively fish berkley, but have yet to find one over 8'6, except seen one guy with a 10 foot berkley he bought up in cananda..i need a longer rod and a lil more sensitive too..

I like the Rainshadow 1264. (10'6" 10-17#) a great dual purpose rod. .. and priced right!
It think it fishes a bit heavier than the 17# rating but still has a nice tip to work wit.

Try Auburn Sport and Marine, I have seen Berkleys there 10' or 10'6.

I like this guys rod aaaaaahhhhhh this one might actually be a pole

Hey, that looks like Dave Jackson!

I asked this same question last year and finally bought a 1143 from TH. It is 9 and 1/2 feet long so you get the reach, but without being to far. It has a stronger lower end, but still very active tip. Call TH and see what he thinks.

Padre

Padre

So how do you like those rainshadows?

I was thinking of buying one for a boon doggling rod

BB, I would suggest THREE rods. Any two already mentioned, plus a noodle rod for bobber fishing. Thos B-run fish are a wild ride on a noodle! I've got a 10.5 foot Berkely medium light that's a bit too heavy. I'd suggest a lightweight 11 footer for boober fishing steelies.

Dan

goforchrome- I have a 1263 Loomis and it is rated 6-12.. you sure you read that right? Just curious..

BERKLEY- the 1263 is a nice rod but you will need to put but weights on it for sure to balance it out.Its a little light for big kings but will handle silvers and chum ok but you will have to play em out.I usually use my 1263 for float fishin..
I have couple 1143 GL3's and they are my favorite for sure.They are sensitive yet have back bone..Great rod and will land big fish...

TM