Hey all.
Need some help from the guys out there who fish with the Rainshadow XST blanks on their 10 1/2' float rods.

I have a 9 1/2' casting rod made with the XST1143 blank and it is amazing...I swear I can feel a smolt piss on the offering it is so sensative.

My new rod will be a spinning set up primarily for float fishing for SH using braid as the mainline.

I was considering the XST 1263 (10 1/2' 8-12). My rod builder believes this rod is a bit too "noodley" for float fishing with braid.

He has recommended the XST 1264 (10 1/2' 10-17).

I am looking for input from those out there who own or have used the two blanks above for float fishing.

Thanks in advance for the help.
Needeep

I have a XST1264 made up as a baitcaster, mines built real stout as I target kings w/ it. I run 40 lb. Powerpro for my mainline w/ no issues. I have to throw this caveat in, I've held XST 1264's that were built much lighter than mine as drift rods & they have a whole different feel to them than my battle stick. So w/ the right build that could be an option.

I have fished a light XST1263 in spin / float configuration & personally liked the action.

I'm going to go w/ the other 2 guys & recommend the XST 1263. Set up as a spinning rod for steelhead & even if you run into some coho & chum I think you will be good to go. I'd run 30 lb. powerpro on a 2500/3000 size reel


c/22

Thanks for the input so far guys.

Would you say that the 1263 (8-12)that you have felt have a very soft "noodley" feel?

And do you generally prefer that feel in your rods?

Has anybody out there every fished/felt the XST1264 10-17? Did it seem stiff?

The reason I ask is many different rods out there...loomis, lami, St croix, have very different feels/stiffness in the exact same legnth and weight class.

Example: a 10' 8-12 cert pro lami felt softer than the st croix avid 10 1/2 8-12. Maybe it is the difference in graphites...the XMG 50 lami seems even stiffer(but lighter).

Sorry for the vague and strange questions.
I like a great tip with some softness in the rod but I don't want a noodle rod.
I hope that makes sense.

Thanks

XST are not even close to the word Noodle your builder probably is just being over caution because Braid can and will break rods especially if you don't know how to fish braid as in ZERO stretch. The XST1264 has stood the test of Harvest time with very few break other than the fly's issues of way over harvest on Kings. If you are going spin then your most likely not fishing for Kings in this case the XST1263 would be my first choice also the new XST1144 would be another great choice for the ultimate spin Float dog. By the way I never leave home without my XST1264 float rod bait caster no mater Steelhead or Kings I harvest with it so get one of those built as well.

Rod Blank Model # XST1263F-TC 10' 6" 2pc Med/Lt 8-12lb Salmon/Steelhead - Titanium Chrome
Butt Cap: HDCCBC20 Hard Density Cork Composite Butt Cap
Reel Seat: GSTG17C-TC Textured Gray Graphite Spin Reel Seat w/Cushion-Real Light TICH
Reel Seat Shim: SHIM/17/SPIN .660" OD 4.05" Length
Trim Ring: TRS17-TC Trim Ring for Spin Seat size 17 TiCH
Fore Grip: HEFG2.5S-.250 2.5" High End Foregrip Super Grade ID .250"
Rear Grip: RGS12A-350 12" Cork Rear Grip Straight 'A'
Winding Check: AWC490 Aluminum Winding Check .490" I.D. - Shiney Gunsmoke
Hookeeper: TCHKS Small TiCH Hook Keeper
Tip Top XTCPPCT06R04.5 ALPS SS316-RRD-P Top 06 TiCH Ring 4.5 Tube - TICH w/o Chrome
Guides (see below for size and quantity) XPTCFCG ALPS SS316 - TiCH w/o Chrome Single Foot with TiCH Zirconium Ring RRD
Guides (see below for size and quantity) XTCYTCG ALPS SS316 - Y Guide TiCH w/o Chrome Single Foot with TiCH Zirconium Thin Ring
Guide order from the tip top Guide Guide Placement - In inches from the tip top
1st XPTCFCG06 5"
2nd XPTCFCG06 11"
3rd XPTCFCG06 18"
4th XPTCFCG07 26"
5th XTCYTCG07 36"
6th XTCYTCG08 47"
7th XTCYTCG10 59"
8th XTCYTCG16 72"
9th XTCYTCG25 86"

or

Rod Blank Model # IST1144F-M
Butt cap: SBC20B
Front Cap:
Rear Grip: RGS12A-350
Handle Arbor:
Reel Seat: GS17-GWG-C Thread down towards rear handle
Reel Seat Shim SHIM/17/SPIN
Foregrip: FG25A-250
Winding Check: BWC13
Hookeeper: TCHKS
Tip Top XTCPZT06F05.5
1st guide from tip top XPTCFZG06
2nd guide from tip top XPTCFZG06
3rd guide from tip top XPTCFZG06
4th guide from tip top XPTCFZG07
5th guide from tip top: XPTCFZG08
6th guide from tip top: XPTCFZG10
7th guide from tip top: XTCVS3TZG12
8th guide from tip top: XTCVS3TZG16
9th guide from tip top: XTCVS3TZG25
Guide spacing Specs(inches from tip, center ring over mark) 4.25-9.25-15.25-22.25-30.125-38.250-48.5-61-76.750

Rod Blank Model # XST1264F-TC 10' 6" 2pc Med 10-17lb Salmon/Steelhead - Titanium Chrome
Butt Cap: HDCCBC20 Hard Density Cork Composite Butt Cap
Reel Seat Body: GTBTG16C-13.0 Graphite Trigger textured Blank Exposed w/cush R/S - Black (ream to fit)
Reel Seat Hood: GTT16C-SN-TC Hood w/cush Single Nut - True Light TiCH
Trim Ring: TRS16-TC Trim Ring for Seat size 16 TiCH
Fore Grip: HEFG2.5S-.250 2.5" High End Foregrip Super Grade ID .250"
Rear Grip: HERG14.0S-375 14.0" High End Reargrip Super Grade ID .375"
Winding Check: AWC490 Aluminum Winding Check .490" I.D. - Shiney Gunsmoke
Hookeeper: TCHKS Small TiCH Hook Keeper
Tip Top XTCPPCT07R05.0 ALPS SS316 - RRD-P Top 07 TiCH Ring 5.0 Tube - TICH w/o Chrome
Guides (see below for size and quantity) XPTCFCG ALPS SS316 - TiCH w/o Chrome Single Foot with TiCH Zirconium Ring RRD
Guides (see below for size and quantity) XTCLXNCG ALPS SS316 - LXN Guide w/TiCH Ring -TiCH w/o chrome
Guide order from the tip top Guide Guide Placement - In inches from the tip top
1st XPTCFCG07 4.25"
2nd XPTCFCG07 9"
3rd XPTCFCG07 14.25"
4th XPTCFCG07 20.25"
5th XPTCFCG08 27"
6th XTCLXNCG08 34.5"
7th XTCLXNCG10 43"
8th XTCLXNCG10 52.5"
9th XTCLXNCG10 62.75"
10th XTCLXNCG12 73.75"
11th XTCLXNCG16 85.75"
Rainshadow XST Salmon Steelhead
XST1264F

Like Jake said, the XST1263 is the way to go... It's a hell of a nice blank.

+1 on XST1264 never had a better rod thanks RVRFSHR

Wow...now I want one of each after all the posts..especially Karry's.

Let me ask this...If I get the 1264 will I feel "over gunned" for an 8lb steelhead? In other words does it need to be a 15lb fish to get a good fight out of it?

I fish the cowlitz a lot ..most of the standard winter steel seem to be around 8 but 15+ is a deffinate possiblity.

Also..I am a bank fisher and don't always have the room nor the ability to chase fish.

Thanks for all the help so far...much appreciated.

I would say yes.


I've caught a few smaller fish w/ my version of the XST 1264, & 90% of the time its over pretty quick. Now this nice C&R work & good for the fish.

Depending on where you are standing streamside & w/ braided line and a tough mono leader, anything under 10 lbs. you can just manhandle.

I know I got a kick out of a chrome coho I landed last Monday on a IST 1143, it was like fighting it on a 7-8 weight fly rod & just tore me up. With my 1264 I could have cranked the drag down & beached her in about 2 minuites.





c/22

Matters what your fishing for. I personally prefer a lighter rod on bigger fish because you get to play them out more, and really get to test your rods limits. I hook 25-30 pound spring chinook on the Yakima river every year with my XST1263 and its a hoot. The only downside fishing a lighter rod is that if your fishing for native fish that have to be released, then you need to get them in as quickly as possible. And that's where using a heavier rod like the XST1264 would come in handy... It has the necessary backbone to put the sticks to the fish and turn him when you need to, so you can get it in quickly and release it. You can do it with a lighter rod (I do it all the time), but you risk breaking it...

Now in your case fishing the Cowlitz for winter steelhead, lighter all the way dude... The steelhead in there are 98.99 percent hatchery brats and you can play them out all you want...XST1263 gets my vote.

i run 1264 with curado dhsv 200 series and 40 lb braid. landed kings up to 40 on it...

i dont like light rods for big fish. u cant stop them if they head for the salt.

I see a lot of people talking about landing KINGS with the 1264...

This rod will be for steelhead, coho, chum,...SPINNING reel.

Sounds like the best choice is the XST1263 for these fish correct???

If you could only choose one From the BANK with the potential for Wild Fish..mostly hatchery..fishing jigs and or roe under a float. XST1263????

The guys who have the 1264 if you were catching the fish above with a spinning reel, would you still fish the 1264???

Promise...this is the last clarification...just wanted to clarify the fish type as some of the 1264 people seem to focus on kings and or casting reel.

thanks,

The term "noodle", to me, implies light power and slow action. The XST's are fast action rods, with varying power. None of them are noodle rods. That said, there are those who prefer a moderate action for float fishing due to the various weighting/float systems (fewer tangles) and the gentleness with which they can cast bait. Also, you don't need the sensativity of a fast tip, at least not in fast water. Regarding your choices, the lighter rod will have an advantage in casting smaller floats and jigs more easily. It will probably hook more steelhead, under more conditions, than the heavier rod.

Thanks all XST1263 I believe is the one that best fits what I'm looking for.

Thanks for all the help.

much appreciated.

Yes on the XST1263 blank. I built on it and it's ideal for winter steel the way I fish em. It's a rare instance when I've felt under-rodded with it. You'd be bummed with using the 1264 blank on what you're doing,

fb

Get the XST1263 spin and the XST1264 casting you will need both especially at high Cow flows at Blue Creek.