Posted by: steelheader316
10'6" casting rod opinions - 09/27/18 09:20 AM
Hello all,
I've been looking at purchasing a new steelhead rod and have decided on specs of 10'6", 8-17-10-17. While these specs suggest a float rod, I am really looking for an all-around big-water, big steelhead rod for drift fishing, spoons, and floats. I fish Idaho's Clearwater primarily and like the longer rod to cover larger water. However, I would like to find a blank that casts 2/5 oz. spoons well and the most sensitive blank I can find for drift fishing. Lastly, I'd like a blank that could handle a giant on the OP or BC, provided I ever get a chance to fish those fisheries.
I have been looking closely at the newer Loomis IMX 1264C (10'6", 10-17#, 1/2-11/2 oz) and have read Bantam's PP review several times on this rod when it was at the prototype stage. I have the IMX 9'8" 8-17, and I really like its sensitivity and overall performance.
I've also looked into the Rainshadow RX8 blank (10'6" 10-17# 3/8-1oz), and it looks very intriguing as well. Finally, I looked at North Fork Composites blanks, but it appears that they do not make a 10'6" 10-17#, only 10'6" 10-20. It's very important to me that the blank can cast a 2/5 oz spoon well, and it seems like the Rainshadow is the slightly lighter blank, which is appealing. I'd also like to delve into the custom rod world as well.
Anyway, I'd appreciate some opinions and suggestions on these or other 10'6" casting rods. Basically, an all-around big steelhead rod that can fish anywhere for any steelhead and do it all, relatively speaking. I'm fairly confident that its between the two rods above, but am certainly open to other suggestions. Price, while important, is not really a factor, as I want the best rod out there in this spec range.
Thank you for any feedback.
- Jake
I've been looking at purchasing a new steelhead rod and have decided on specs of 10'6", 8-17-10-17. While these specs suggest a float rod, I am really looking for an all-around big-water, big steelhead rod for drift fishing, spoons, and floats. I fish Idaho's Clearwater primarily and like the longer rod to cover larger water. However, I would like to find a blank that casts 2/5 oz. spoons well and the most sensitive blank I can find for drift fishing. Lastly, I'd like a blank that could handle a giant on the OP or BC, provided I ever get a chance to fish those fisheries.
I have been looking closely at the newer Loomis IMX 1264C (10'6", 10-17#, 1/2-11/2 oz) and have read Bantam's PP review several times on this rod when it was at the prototype stage. I have the IMX 9'8" 8-17, and I really like its sensitivity and overall performance.
I've also looked into the Rainshadow RX8 blank (10'6" 10-17# 3/8-1oz), and it looks very intriguing as well. Finally, I looked at North Fork Composites blanks, but it appears that they do not make a 10'6" 10-17#, only 10'6" 10-20. It's very important to me that the blank can cast a 2/5 oz spoon well, and it seems like the Rainshadow is the slightly lighter blank, which is appealing. I'd also like to delve into the custom rod world as well.
Anyway, I'd appreciate some opinions and suggestions on these or other 10'6" casting rods. Basically, an all-around big steelhead rod that can fish anywhere for any steelhead and do it all, relatively speaking. I'm fairly confident that its between the two rods above, but am certainly open to other suggestions. Price, while important, is not really a factor, as I want the best rod out there in this spec range.
Thank you for any feedback.
- Jake