I am slowly but surely building up a setup to fish hard next year as time allows. I have no idea how many of you fish this technique, but I myself have quickly become fascinated with it. Here is what I plan on using:

13' G Loomix IMX 2pc 4-8lb, Paine Falls DeMarco 4 7/8th, running 6lb Nanofil for mainline, 8lb Drennan Super Specialist mono for shot line and 4-6lb flouro for leader.


a good friend has a 13' Custom G Loomis IM6 3pc, Riverkeepr Frogwater, and though i have little to nothing to compare it to, it felt like the cat's meow. He said it's a small trib setup mainly though. What are your setups and what are the conditions and target size fish you use them for? I'd like to have a sporting setup, not over gunned, but not under either, if that makes sense. Thanks in advance for your feedback, Cheers,


Tyler








^not me or my pic^

I use stuff about three times as heavy as yours...we're fishing for steelhead here, in heavy rivers...those noodle rods are for Great Lakes boots and troots!

Fish on...

Todd

Yak,

Todd's for real.

You've got a nice set up there for eastside WA trout and summer steel. Really more typical of a east coast or GL set up than a NW float set up, IMO. Sub 11gr floats generally don't cut it here on our roily NW waters. I prefer much heavier terminal tackle and a more powerful rod; 2 power min (6-10#) for steelhead or 3 power (8-12#) for either steelhead or salmon. You surely can't do better than a DeMarco for a reel, but I'd be running at least 10 or 12# mono mainline. Water's faster and fish here aren't so leader shy either, so I use 10# leader minimum; FC mainly for sinking effect. Although I'd be using mono leaders if I ran braid mainline, which I despise for CP. On our mid to high gradient systems there's not much call for a shot line, so I usually just run bulk shot with sliding float to make breakdown and transport easier.

I love to CP and have been doing it off and on for over 30 years. I've also acquired more CP equipment than I'll ever admit. Over time I've found myself leaning towards shorter stronger CP rods (9.5 - 13') and smaller reels (4-4.5") than most GL or east coasters would ever consider using. Although there is a lot to learn from these guys who have made float fishing an art form out there, I've found the BC influence and techniques to be far more applicable to our waters.

My go-to rods are old school custom Sage 2106LB, 3106LB, 3113LB or 3113MB with 4.5 Milner KF reels, but I also fish newer GLX 2 or 3 power rods with Kingpin reel for change of pace. Batson XST 1562 and Loomis STR with IS or Tournament reels have replaced my older 11'3 CP Lamis as boat rods. Choice of power and length generally depend on targeted fish, water conditions and whether I'm banking or boating. I'm not a fan of 3 pc rods, but the Batson XST 1562 is a great all-around choice for just about anything round these parts and would be a good counterpart to your 4-8 IMX.

Enjoy. CP is a gas.

With what was said above, you should sell me your 1562 IMX..

For me, G-Loomis - kingpin - or Mykiss Pin reels.

As for rods, Batson XST 1562 or CTS 1305-2 13' 8 - 12 do everything I need them to do...

I live in the Great Lakes region and hate fishing with noodle rods.

I have a Fenwick 13' 8-12lb..

Throwin' itty bitty bobbers ain't my thing..

6th street puts them out.

How's it been fishing lately?

Slower than average.. still facing drought like conditions.

I have been getting away from noodle rods also, it just takes way too long to get a good fish in and with any sort of current your screwed. PNW centerin 10-15 mainline 8lb leader 2-3 power loomis, IS reel.