Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: steve B on August 25, 2010, 07:18:36 PM

Title: Drifting Setup
Post by: steve B on August 25, 2010, 07:18:36 PM
Does anybody have any input to what size of drift rod and reel i should go for. I want a rod that will handle most of the fish from chinook to steelhead to coho in the vedder,  an all around rod and a good reel
Title: Re: Drifting Setup
Post by: andychan on August 25, 2010, 07:24:22 PM
10.6 ft rod; 10-20lb range (good value is shimano) and an abu 6500 reel with 50lb power pro line.

take care of it and it'll last as long as you want.
Title: Re: Drifting Setup
Post by: Eagleye on August 25, 2010, 07:25:55 PM
Most guys use a 10'6" rod but I prefer 11'6". The extra foot is beneficial in larger rivers.  Medium action 10-20lb is the most versatile.  For a reel I would recommend a 400 size Shimano Calcutta or 300 Daiwa Luna.
Title: Re: Drifting Setup
Post by: Nitroholic on August 25, 2010, 07:50:40 PM
253L and a 1363 GL2
Title: Re: Drifting Setup
Post by: vancook on August 25, 2010, 08:41:08 PM
10.6 ft rod; 10-20lb range (good value is shimano) and an abu 6500 reel with 50lb power pro line.

take care of it and it'll last as long as you want.
Don't want to hijack the thread but how do you short float with braided line? Do you just attach it to the braid or do you tie of a length of mono to your braid?
Title: Re: Drifting Setup
Post by: Fish Assassin on August 25, 2010, 08:43:18 PM
Just tie your main line to one end of a swivel and a mono leader at the other end.
Title: Re: Drifting Setup
Post by: vancook on August 25, 2010, 09:03:41 PM
Just tie your main line to one end of a swivel and a mono leader at the other end.

Ah so a float sits fine on the braid. Didn't want to respool my reel with mono if I didn't have to
Title: Re: Drifting Setup
Post by: Fish Slayer on August 25, 2010, 09:18:45 PM
10'6" is the "go to" size shimano is a great bang for the buck as are the fenwick and temple fork rods. You will be looking for a rod in the 10-20lb line rating, a fast action will give you a stiff rod while a slow action will give a soft rod.  No need for a 6500 reel a 5500 or even a 4600 Abu reel are plenty big enough for rivers like the chilliwack and other lower mainland creeks and rivers. Line wise you'll be looking for 12-15lb mono line for mainline and 8-10lb for leaders. A level wind is more versatile than a single action reel (aka center pin) as you could also use it for tossing spoons or spinners for springs, coho, pinks or steelhead.  Good luck in your search and ask anymore questions that you have.
Title: Re: Drifting Setup
Post by: steve B on August 26, 2010, 01:06:59 PM
i just picked up a fenwick 10'6 bait caster rod Medium action 10 to 20lb 135 bucks canadian tire not bad price now i have to find a good reel i just hope this rod will beable to handle a 20lb chinook can't wait to go to the vedder and try this rod out when is a good time start and where to start from on the vedder cause im a newbie to the system
Title: Re: Drifting Setup
Post by: Richmond on August 26, 2010, 01:50:47 PM
you will love your fenwick HMX. it will do fine with big springs.
if you like ebay, there are always deals  on Abu reels.
i picked up 2 abu 4000's new without box's for $85 shipped.
I also found a Rocket for $90.
Title: Re: Drifting Setup
Post by: Nitroholic on August 26, 2010, 06:28:26 PM
i just picked up a fenwick 10'6 bait caster rod Medium action 10 to 20lb 135 bucks canadian tire not bad price now i have to find a good reel i just hope this rod will beable to handle a 20lb chinook can't wait to go to the vedder and try this rod out when is a good time start and where to start from on the vedder cause im a newbie to the system

HMX or Canadian Methods  Series?
Title: Re: Drifting Setup
Post by: steve B on August 26, 2010, 06:37:49 PM
it would be a HMX
Title: Re: Drifting Setup
Post by: Brian on August 26, 2010, 06:43:00 PM
A level wind is more versatile than a single action reel (aka center pin) as you could also use it for tossing spoons or spinners for springs, coho, pinks or steelhead.  Good luck in your search and ask anymore questions that you have.

Not only is it more versatile, it's easier to learn with.  However, once you're proficient with the levelwind, you may want to try centerpin casting.  Much more fun to fight fish on a single-action reel.

Cheers!
Title: Re: Drifting Setup
Post by: Matt on August 27, 2010, 12:47:57 AM
Med-heavy 10'6" steelhead rod, Abu 6500-size reel, 50lbs Powerpro, 2-4 oz bouncing betty, 10' 30lbs leader and a hook.  Doesn't matter what's on that hook, they don't "bite" anyways.  Keep your limit and stop fishing, BBing fish for sport is kind of twisted IMO.
Title: Re: Drifting Setup
Post by: Fish Slayer on August 27, 2010, 04:47:49 AM
Med-heavy 10'6" steelhead rod, Abu 6500-size reel, 50lbs Powerpro, 2-4 oz bouncing betty, 10' 30lbs leader and a hook.  Doesn't matter what's on that hook, they don't "bite" anyways.  Keep your limit and stop fishing, BBing fish for sport is kind of twisted IMO.
That's what you use on the vedder? The original post is asking for a rod and reel setup for the vedder river...
Title: Re: Drifting Setup
Post by: Danube Boy on August 27, 2010, 02:34:11 PM
Steve, you've gotten some decent advice so far and an HMX in the specs you mentioned was a great choice from quality, performance and value perspective. For the reel, I definitely agree with everyone's choice of the Abu C3,  and like Fish Slayer suggested, a 5500 would be plenty big. A 6500 would be unnecessarily big for the Vedder; you just simply don't need 250 yards of line on the reel.
As far as the line goes, if you are not that familar with the river yet, I'd go with a 20lb mono for main and to make it simple, stick with a 10lb leader in most conditions, but have some 8lb on hand for those very low gin clear conditions. A little stronger main line will ensure that you get most of your stuff back when you hit snags.

Title: Re: Drifting Setup
Post by: Fish Slayer on August 27, 2010, 03:11:53 PM
I think 20lb mainline might be a bit too springy for a levelwind and will cause too many backlashes. The most I have ever used was 15lb ultra green and felt it was plenty strong for the vedder. If you're not dredging bottom the only thing that should snag up is your hook on stray root balls or random sticks stuck in the gravel bottom.
Title: Re: Drifting Setup
Post by: bcguy on August 28, 2010, 09:25:03 AM
Med-heavy 10'6" steelhead rod, Abu 6500-size reel, 50lbs Powerpro, 2-4 oz bouncing betty, 10' 30lbs leader and a hook.  Doesn't matter what's on that hook, they don't "bite" anyways.  Keep your limit and stop fishing, BBing fish for sport is kind of twisted IMO.
That is not a drifting set up, that is bottom bouncing, two very different things
Title: Re: Drifting Setup
Post by: reconize on August 28, 2010, 09:53:08 AM
Made in China Made in China

is all i keep hearing from you guys, buy a used lamiglas or g loomis and a nice reel ... not made in china

do your part
Title: Re: Drifting Setup
Post by: jimyvr on August 28, 2010, 06:51:56 PM
Does anybody have any input to what size of drift rod and reel i should go for. I want a rod that will handle most of the fish from chinook to steelhead to coho in the vedder,  an all around rod and a good reel

I saw good deal at Army Navy - drift plus reel about $150
Title: Re: Drifting Setup
Post by: alan on August 28, 2010, 09:01:00 PM
Med-heavy 10'6" steelhead rod, Abu 6500-size reel, 50lbs Powerpro, 2-4 oz bouncing betty, 10' 30lbs leader and a hook.  Doesn't matter what's on that hook, they don't "bite" anyways.  Keep your limit and stop fishing, BBing fish for sport is kind of twisted IMO.

That's what you use on the vedder? The original post is asking for a rod and reel setup for the vedder river...

That is not a drifting set up, that is bottom bouncing, two very different things

I think he was being sarcastic....
Title: Re: Drifting Setup
Post by: steve B on August 29, 2010, 09:05:14 PM
I'll probably go with that maxima ultra green 15lb line i heard that line was good 8lb leader i dont care if the rod was made in china everything is made in china so what now it comes down too what hooks will be the best i will spare no money here

another thing I'm going to be float fishing here on the vedder i heard that drift fishing and float fishing were the same thing i could be wrong
Title: Re: Drifting Setup
Post by: Fish Slayer on August 29, 2010, 11:11:31 PM
Gami hooks are the hooks to use  ;)
Title: Re: Drifting Setup
Post by: steve B on August 30, 2010, 10:57:59 AM
gamigatsu it is thanks for the tips from the people that actually gave me advise and not BS !

now all i have to do is learn how to cast
I will practice on the alouette river which actullay has quite a bit of young steelhead and plenty of those damn squawfish in the system caught a nice 4lb steelhead/sea run rainbow outta there yesterday, released it with care

see ya on the vedder and or chilliwack river