Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: DRP79 on November 22, 2011, 04:22:30 PM

Title: steelhead tackle question
Post by: DRP79 on November 22, 2011, 04:22:30 PM
What size floats are you guys using and what line?
Title: Re: steelhead tackle question
Post by: milo on November 22, 2011, 04:38:55 PM
That very much depends what river I am fishing and what terminal tackle I am using. The type of water also affects the choice of line and float.
It can vary from very light (10# main; 6# leader) to moderately heavy (20# main; 15#leader) and anything in between.
Floats can vary from 15-30 grams.

There is no one-size-fits-all when you are getting them to BITE.
Title: Re: steelhead tackle question
Post by: Geff_t on November 22, 2011, 04:48:33 PM
I use a cork float. Hand made by Whonnock Joe who does amazing cork work on rods. These floats are a thing of beauty and whats great is when floating down the river it looks just like a stick so the fish do not get spooked  ;D
Title: Re: steelhead tackle question
Post by: Kenwee on November 22, 2011, 05:02:44 PM
Where can one buy these floats by Whonnock Joe?
Title: Re: steelhead tackle question
Post by: kid fisherman on November 22, 2011, 05:17:43 PM
Sorry if I am hijacking this thread but how do you guys set up your float rigs?
Title: Re: steelhead tackle question
Post by: mzmann on November 22, 2011, 05:36:47 PM
depends on depth of water...but generally....have presentation sitting 1-2ft off bottom with a 12-24inch leader....starting from hook up.....hook, leader up to swivel, sliding weight above swivel (some use split shots or add a splitshot or two below just to get the presentation down faster) and then your float....can throw a bead or two in there as well as a shock absorber of sorts for the sliding weight......do some more searching around on here and I believe Rodney has posted a good shortfloating diagram to show you the set up (probably better looking at a diagram rather than my explanation, lol)
Title: Re: steelhead tackle question
Post by: steelie-slayer on November 22, 2011, 06:30:16 PM
in clear water i use an 11 or 20 gram clear drennen and in colored water 20gram dne foam floats. i fish a pin with 15 lb mainline and 8 lb leaders (16") an a 3way swivel with a slinky weight clipped on.
Title: Re: steelhead tackle question
Post by: glx on November 22, 2011, 06:45:45 PM
I like using either the balsa or foam floats by DNE in 25g-30g.  I use a toothpick to keep them in place. 

Title: Re: steelhead tackle question
Post by: Geff_t on November 22, 2011, 06:51:13 PM
Where can one buy these floats by Whonnock Joe?

 I will try and go by his place this week and see if I can get some to put up for sale.
Title: Re: steelhead tackle question
Post by: kid fisherman on November 22, 2011, 07:22:05 PM
Thanks for the tips!
Title: Re: steelhead tackle question
Post by: bigblue on November 22, 2011, 07:25:32 PM
11g Drennan for stealth and sensitivity in clear water and 25g DNE foam floats for normal use.
Title: Re: steelhead tackle question
Post by: DRP79 on November 22, 2011, 07:40:14 PM
I like using either the balsa or foam floats by DNE in 25g-30g.  I use a toothpick to keep them in place. 



This is what I have been doing. Gotta get a couple more 25's though.  I have 40lb braid as my main line and I was thinking of putting a 10' extension of maximal 20lb and then using sufix 8 or 12lb leader.
Title: Re: steelhead tackle question
Post by: Geff_t on November 22, 2011, 08:26:43 PM
He hasnt come out of rod building retirement has he? Im looking for a builder to strip down a 2106 and re build it

Fin I saw him on the weekend and he said he will only do the cork work on a rod and then you will have to take it somewhere else to have the rest done. I know searun fly and tackle does rod building so you can always take it there.
Title: Re: steelhead tackle question
Post by: Sterling C on November 22, 2011, 08:35:58 PM
Grey 35g DNE float.

15lb Blue Label Seagar.

Then again, I don't catch very many steelhead so take it for what its worth.
Title: Re: steelhead tackle question
Post by: BigFisher on November 23, 2011, 12:43:10 AM
20 g grey DNE
8Lb maxima ultrageen on 12lb main.
4-5 split shots, But doesnt really matter IMO.
8-18 inch leaders on a size 2 or 4 hook.
Title: Re: steelhead tackle question
Post by: canso on November 23, 2011, 06:05:25 AM
This is what I have been doing. Gotta get a couple more 25's though.  I have 40lb braid as my main line and I was thinking of putting a 10' extension of maximal 20lb and then using sufix 8 or 12lb leader.
You will find the braid holds lots more water and will ice up the rod tip and guides; you might want to switch up to mono mainline.
Title: Re: steelhead tackle question
Post by: DRP79 on November 23, 2011, 07:37:24 AM
Thanks for that tip, I never would have thought of that.
Title: Re: steelhead tackle question
Post by: Kenwee on November 25, 2011, 04:23:55 PM
Managed to meet up with Whonnock Joe and bought some floats from him. They are very nice.
Title: Re: steelhead tackle question
Post by: Steel_Mo_Head on November 25, 2011, 05:00:31 PM
Managed to meet up with Whonnock Joe and bought some floats from him. They are very nice.

Im curious to see what theses floats look like?
Title: Re: steelhead tackle question
Post by: DRP79 on November 25, 2011, 07:19:12 PM
I got some 20lb flouro coated mainline to go with 8 and12 lb leader. I also picked up some 20 and 25g dne floats. I think I'm good to go, just a nice jacket short at this point.
Title: Re: steelhead tackle question
Post by: Kenwee on November 25, 2011, 08:50:26 PM
Steel Mo Head.......give me your email address I will send u a picture. Don't know how to post pic on this forum.
Title: Re: steelhead tackle question
Post by: k.c. on November 25, 2011, 09:49:04 PM
Whonnock Joe's floats are awsome!