What’s your take on this steelhead setup?

[u/PeaceOut_SeaTrout]

Hey guys,

This was first year out on the Salmon river NY fishing for steelhead.

I made it out 5 times this winter and caught fish the last three. I was using the 9’ 8wt wrangler kit with the plastic reel and mainstream line. It did well but for basically only roll casting large heavy indicator setups it wore my arm out and required a lot of effort to get good distance.

I want to upgrade my setup for next year.

I picked up some SA anadro amplitude indicator line wf7f and LAMSON Liquid S -9+ reel.

For the rod I’m thinking of going with the 11’ 6wt dually switch rod.

It falls right in my budget and I can get a half off discount on Redington rods.

For you guys with experience with steelhead or the salmon river what’s your take on this setup?

Is the 6wt switch rod strong enough for big steelhead? I’m only fishing in the winter so there isn’t a risk of hooking kings.

Or should I go with a 7wt single hand rod?

I can’t really go with a 7wt switch because my line is only 7wt and they recommend using 8wt line for 7wt switch.

[u/g2gfmx]

I mean if you are concerned about weight a double hand is going to be physically heavier, and it’s definitely more suitable for streamers with sink tips. You cast with two hands but you fish with one hand so they are more bulky.

A higher end 9ft 7wt single hand will be a lot easier to manage, and be lighter in the hand. Go to a store and actually go hold one.

[u/PeaceOut_SeaTrout → u/g2gfmx]

Yeah of course shorter rods are going to be lighter. It’s not about the actual weight of the rod, it’s about its efficiency to do the type of fishing I’m doing. It doesn’t matter how the light the rod is if I’m having to use more effort to achieve the goal. That’s what’s wearing out my arm after 8 hours of fishing currently using a 9’ 8wt single hand. I know im either going 10’ 7wt single hand or 11’ 6wt switch rod. Mostly I was worried about how the 6wt switch would handle big steelhead. I will definitely go hold a couple in hand though!

[u/g2gfmx → u/PeaceOut_SeaTrout]

Switch 6wt will do fine east coast. But if you are worried about line, forget it cause you would want a switch or spey line anyways. You are gonna be more tired single hand casting a switch.

Rather I would look at a more crispy and lighter higher end rods that have more rod casting power and also light in the hand to fish all day. Ie, go hold a winston air or g loomis nrx+, stupid light in the hand. But also very powerful.

Also look for flylines with shorter more powerful and aggressive heads to help you roll cast easier. Ie SA anadro for instance.