Thanks to everyone for their advice. Now I need a little more:)

Originally, I had my eye on a Lamiglas Certified Pro. 8 ft 9inch extra fast action (soft tip right?) medium heavy power. They call it the Steelheader Spin model.
However, I am new to this and it seems that I may be way off when it comes to choosing steelhead gear. Many guys seem to like their rods in the 9.5 ft to 10.5 ft range.

What is the most versatile length, power and action for steelhead? I would like to be able to try a few different techniques with one rod (in case one technique doesn't seem to be producing:) Also, I generally prefer a little more power in my other fishing rods but perhaps this is backwards for steelheading? Will a Medium Heavy power rod with an ex fast tip work well for steelhead or is it a huge compromise?

Thanks

I would go with as much length as you are comfortable with. I started with 8'6" rod for steelies/salmon and I have moved up since. I mostly use a 9'6" and I am going to get a 10'6" strictly for float fishing. So for length, I would say go at least 9'6", you will be happier with the amount of line control you have either drift or float fishing. If hardware fishing, the extra length will help with casting. As for power rating, I would get something in the medium to medium heavy range with a fast taper, 10-20lb line. This would make a great all aroung rod for big steelies/kings.

No reason to go longer than 8'6" unless you are using floats or casting super super light gear. Even with light gear you can use a smaller trout reel either spin or level wind with light weight line to get casting distance. Long rods are a problem in tight spots. But great for floats or open areas. Also don't fool yourself into thinking you will have just one setup:-)

Good point on the tight areas. There have been times when I wished I was using a 5' rod, but I still like a longer rod, it makes me feel more manly....He He

If you will have only one set up it should be in the 9 f1/2 foot range. If you want to float fish you need a10 to 11 foot rod. As someone else said , don't fool yourself into thinking you will have only one rod. Get a rod that is perfect for what ypu plan to do. DO NOT compromise. Just wait till you can get another rod that is perfect for the next planned use. You can't be too rich, too thin, or have too many rods.

Is that a Dave Vedder original quote... ?

I just finished building a rainshadow 1141 that I plan on using as a multi purpose drift fishing and float/spinner fishing if need be. I used casting guides with a strait reel seat (no trigger). normally I'll use a casting reel but if I want I can turn it over and slap a spinning reel on it for chucking the light stuff.

Medium heavy is not for me. My steelhead rods are light to medium. My current favorite rod is a lamiglas 9.5 ft spinning rod, which I use mostly for bobber fishing. For a drift rod, I like an 8.5 ft medium light rod (I use an old fenwick).

The thing is, most steelhead aren't that big, and most of the time, you'll be using 8 to 10 lb test leader. So a heavy rod is kind of wasted on steelhead.

If you need to use the same rod for salmon and steelhead, I'd go to a medium rod, rated for, say 8 to 17 lb test line. But I like light gear. If you were going to fish one of the meat holes, where you are surrounded by people, and 25lb test leader is ultralight, then you need the heavy stick. But that doesn't describe too much of the fishing around here.

SH is probably right on the Medium Heavy thing. I have the Eastern Washington still in me where catching a 40lb plus king in the fall is not unusual. So I still need a rod with some back bone.

I fish all light tackle and fight the beejeebers out of a fish. I am not afraid to lose them. I think a quick furious fight is better for the fish if a release is possible. Most people are afraid of losing a fish and baby it way to long IMHO. It's all about the fight and if it gets away the fish won.

SH touched on a very important issue on selecting a salmon/steelhead rod, which is matching the rod action to the intended leader size. Trust me, don't use a rod rated for 15 to 30 pounds with a 10 or 12 pound leader. You'll be sorry (You'll break the fish off more often than not). Smaller diameter leader material drags less in the water and gets down easier, plus imparts better action to the lure. You'll get more strikes steelhead fishing with 8 to 12 pound leader, so you want a rod that is rated similarly. I would recommend having a different rod for chinook.
That's my angle. Good luck.