I whould like all your thoughts on what Ambassador/ Lamiglas combo you would pick for a steelhead combo.
Birthday is coming up & I am thinking of getting a new setup.
My income is modest, So the Calcutta/G-Loomis combo is out of the question.

i use 5500c reels and either 1306m or 1310mh

TF,
Here's my main set up for steelhead driftfishin..Lami Cert Pro X96-JC-T, 9' 6",6-15lb test, 1/4-3/4 oz weight. You could also sub the Lami Cert pro X96 MC-T, 8-12lb test. I own both and they are almost identical. Great all around rod, Ive caught small kings (up to 20lbs) with no problem and it is sensitive enough for smaller steel and coho. For the reel Abu C5 5600, Ive had two for a little over a year and they both cast very well.
The combo listed above should go for somewhere in the $220-250 neighborhood. There are better setups available (ie loomis and shimano) but I have had no complaints or problems with the setup listed above. You could also save about $50 by dropping down to a G 1324 T and a C3 reel.
Tight Lines
RL

RL

Sure you want a Lamiglas? For my money there are other rods of the same quality at lower prices.
The rods Cabelas' offers are darn nice rods for the $$. They have 9 and 10 ft drift rods I have used for years with great success. Other manufacturers have up-graded significantly in recent years and I don't think you need to go to a GL or Lami to get a decent rod any more. My fav. drift rod is a 9' Marado mh(same guides, wraps and blank appearence as the mid-grade Lami) that I picked up at the Sportsshow for less than $50 and I have Lamis and GLs on my rack.

Look around; you may be pleasantly surprised by "other" brands.

Don't ask me about reels; I still use my Uncles hand-me-down Ambassadeur 5000C (Its a 1957 model). I've changed some parts. Have a box of Shimanos, Quantums etc. that I wore out and don't consider worth fixing.

GS

I like the rainshadow rods much more than the 1306 Lami. Talk to TH about a 1024 or 1084 rainshadow, its a little more money than the lami 1306, but not much, $145-150ish. For cheaper, pick up a berkely air im7, they have been on sale recently for $40-60. Hard to beat a abu 5500/5501 for the money as far as reels, but i really like my curado.

I bought one of the Lami Cert Pro X96-JC-T, 9' 6",6- 15lb test rods earlier this year. I hate to say it, but im not very impressed with it. I have a cheap Rapala rod that looks and feels almost the same and is actualy more sensitive to me than the Cert pro. If I could send it back or trade it for something else I would probably try out one of the Berkley IM7's. As for Garcia reels, I just got the 5600 c4 and i'll let you know how I like it. I'm probably going to take it out for a test drive this weekend.

The lower end Lamis do not seem very light or particularly responsive at all.

Texas,

Check out a Cabelas 2003 Spring or Tackle shop Catalog. They offer some great deals on "combos". Like an Ambass. with one of their Fish Eagle rods of slightly over $100. That's a deal anywhere, even after shipping (about the same as sales tax). They have some other combos with Daiwas and Shimanos and their house brand level winds which look like great deals as well. Some with decent reels for under $100 total. Some combos are barely above the price of the reel; like reel 89$ rod 79$, combo 119$. Chck it out.

I know its hard to buy a rod you can't hold in your hand, but the Fish Eagles and even the Tournament rods they sell are good quality for the $.

GS

Neurosis,
Let me know which Berkely IM7 you want, and that trade just might happen.
RL

if you are set on a lamiglass the ms386 northwest special with a abu 5500 c-3 is a good combo.it will take care of all the northwest fish with ease.scott

5500 c3,for a rod go with the berkley im7, at least as good as a nw special but costs less, this is an awesome basic set up

Well.. I dont think they make a IM7 that matches the same specs as the Lami. I notice they have up to 9' but its a 6-10 rated pole.

Pole?

Must be that Bass guy wearing off on you! :p

S-O-N!


FJ...out.

1310 with a 6500C4,. 16 steelhead hooked in one day is hard to argue against.(My friends have the same setup as me and I only hooked 8 of the 16).

Remdrake,

Think you hooked 8 out of 16 steelhead because of your rod and reel?
Could of been because you were presenting your bait or lure correctly, in the right water, and there were a lot of fish in the river?
What were the other guys using...broomsticks and twine?
Never been convinced it makes that much difference what brand, etc. as long as your tackle is up to the job you're asking it to do.

GS

Hmmm,
I just dont know anymore. Went to the sportsman show today, got to pick up a IMX Loomis 1141 (looking for a new boondoggin rod) got to say it was awful tempting....then I saw the price tag

Next stop the Lami booth. Picked up one of the titainium rods, very nice and about the same price. Then picked up one of the Esprit series Lami's...felt almost as good and considerbly less. Anyone had any experiences with these Esprits?
BTW, I did make it out of there with out buying one, so I (and my wife) are awful proud of myself.
RL

Gsiegal,


You didn't know, they did a survey on steelhead and came to the conclusion that 8 out of every 16 or 50% of all steelhead prefer the 1310 with a 6500c4.

...so did 4 out of 5 dentists!