I have some questions. First, Thanks to everyone for the rod/reel advice. I just bought a really nice setup
What size/brand/type hooks do you use for float fishing or drifting. I have 8 lb ultragreen for leaders, is that heavy enough? Do you use a sliding or fixed weight setup for drifting?

Thanks

Seeking advice eh! Well you came to the right place cause there's more than enough to go around here. Thats for sure.

OK! Hooks...
"Vision" - twice as good as gami's at half the price. I don't know how they do it.

Line...
Get rid of the ultragreen - It's over-rated. Get some visor line cause that's what all the cool dudes use.

Lead...
Yes! Use use a sliding or fixed weight for drift rigs.

I'm sure others will add to this cause you came to the right place and there's more than enough advice to go around here. Thats for sure.

I like to use 10# spidermono or silverthread for leader and 12# for main line

I like to use 10# spidermono or silverthread for leader and 12# for main line

Get some size 1 and 1/0 owner needle points. I like P-Line 10# floroclear or Sufix DNA.

The 8 lb Ultra Green is probably fine for most float fishing. I prefer a more limp leader to give my bait/lure a more natural presentation. Even though Maxima is famous for over testing, (Maxima 8 lb is actually 10 or 12 lb test) the 8 lb may be a bit light for late winter native fish. If you have a very long, limber rod it may be okay, but as I think you are a beginner you may want a bit more strength in your leaders. I usually use a 12 lb leader in early winter and as heavy as 16 in spring, when the big boys come in.

Being out on the OP I pretty much used 15# Camelion main all fall and winter through srping and 12# ultra green or camerion leaders.

I had a few experiences in low clear conditions that I tried using lighter line, I hooked bigger fish and almost broke them off every time. The probem is I would get impaitient and as it would take to long and I would try and speed it up and fight the fish like I had heavy line.

I decided I wasnt going to lose any nice fish anymore due to gear so I decided to use 15 main all the time for winter steel. I still caught fish even in low conditions.

Steelhead are fairly stupid and in most conditions not line shy. The way I see it the quicker the fight the better for the fish.

Not that my opinions mean anything, but I seem to use a lot of Vision Octopus Hooks these days, in sizes #1 to 2/0 when either float or drift fishing. I'll move up to 3/0 and 4/0 octopus hooks when I'm after some nookie. I also seem to use a lot of the #7 Vision Interlocking Swivels, as well.

I run 12 UG main on my drift reels, and 10 Stren Extra Strength on my spinning reels. Leaders are all on UG and range from 10-8 pounds, with 10 in the winter and 8 in the summer. I will go to 12 UG in the spring and fall for nookies.

Fixed, solid lead. Punch a hole in the top and slap it on the swivel. Probably lose a few more rigs this way, but it's quick, easy, and works. If it's super snaggy, I'll slap on a piece of tubing, or run a training wheel...I mean a float.

Parker,
If you squeeze the lead thin and punch the hole close to the edge you'll pull the lead off before you break your line most of the time.


Cut 'em thin to win

Yeah Piper, that's what I already do. Sorry, I should have been more specific.

In the winter for drifting I would go with 15#Izorline main and 12#Maxima ultragreen for leaders.In the summer I would go with 12#Izorline main and 10#maxima UG leaders.In my opinon Izorline tends to fray easier than maxima so that is why I choose maxima over izorline for leaders . I fish with pencil lead fixed not sliding or slinkies. For float fishing I use maxima 10# UG .Gamakatsu hooks all the way!!! FISH ON!!!!!!!!!