Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Hoop71 on October 08, 2013, 05:26:34 PM
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I know this has been asked many times but I would appreciate opinions.
Looking at getting into Salmon/Steelhead fishing as stated above and need to purchase gear. I am attending the course offered at Sea Run this Thursday and can get a 10% discount on anything I buy that night so why not take advantage of the discount.
I am thinking a CP setup as this method is very intriguing to me. I know there is a learning curve with the reel but I am willing to put in the practice as my research has shown that those who use the CP rave about it.
I also have read that I should purchase the best gear I can afford so I was looking at the Islander Steelheader which is $379. Otherwise I was looking at the Okuma Raw 2 which is about $260. People have said to buy entry level and you can always upgrade but I don't really want to go through the hassle of selling and buying again. If for some reason I don't like the Islander and/or this type of fishing I have read that they are fairly easy to sell used if in good condition. Does this make sense or am I just crazy at possibly buying an Islander as my first reel?
As for the rod this is where (for now) I will try to save some $$. Was looking at the Trophy XL for around $100 which is right around my preferred price point. I want a rod that can handle most of the fish I may encounter in the local rivers.
Any other suggestions greatly appreciated. Could possibly spend up to $200 for a rod that comes highly recommended.
The last item that i feel is a must have is a pair of waders. Again while doing my research I have read that the Simms G3 Stockingfoot are a good wader. I would rather spend the money on a good pair and again if for some reason I need to sell they may be easier to sell. I don't think I need to get into the G4's but opinions wanted. Could I get by with a lower "quality" pair of waders?
Lastly boots. These I am not too worried about as it will depend on what fits me best/most comfortable with the waders on.
Any other "must haves" with regards to this type of fishing?
I have some gore-tex jackets that will do me until I can get a dedicated fishing jacket.
I am open to any/all tips,suggestions etc.
Thanks for the help!
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I love my Islander and the trophy was also my starter pin rod .... Great set-up !! Have since upgraded the rod.
The Sea Run crew are great they will set you up proper
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never tired trophy xl but have heard mixed reviews that its best bang for the buck or inconsistent and the poorly constructed ones shatter.
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Seems like you are putting in some good research. The islander is a good reel, but not the only one out there.
Talk to the guys at sea run. They are pretty honest guys and will set you in the right direction.
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Frogg togg makes some really good quality waders at a good price, jackets as well I got their waders and jacket highly recommended.
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X2 on the Frogg Toggs jacket. Great jacket for the price.
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Any local dealers with decent stock of Frogg Toggs?
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Islanders are great. Might want to look at a Fenwick HMX or G Loomis GL2 pin rod.
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x2 on the Islander & trophy set-up. I could see an upgrade on the rod down the road, but still have been very happy with the set-up
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Just know that gear with price does not account for fish hookups. Spend the money on gas and time and then upgrade your gear.
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If this is your first season float fishing I would highly recommend going with a baitcast setup rather than a centerpin. Master that or get used to that first before getting into centerpins. It's great that you are doing the research but understanding how floatfishing is done is probably easier with a baitcaster because it's a little more versatile.
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For what it's worth, it's not necessary to go out and buy all the bells and whistles if you're just starting out salmon/steelhead .... even at a 10% discount. Get yourself a used setup and upgrade when you really know what you want.
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For float fishing, personally I think the rod is more important. Actually in general, the rod makes a bigger difference I think. And get good hooks, I like Owner cutting point #2 and 1 and Seaguar flurocarbon.
Sea Run is an awesome shop with great staff, Andrew and Cody will set you up right.
I ordered all my wading gear from LL Bean.. $79 for waders and going on my third season (breathable stocking feet) and just got my Goretex Paclite wading jacket from them ($149 on sale). The jacket is awesome, all the features I want and it looks good enough to wear around town. I am very happy with their stuff. Whatever you get, go breathable and think modular, as in layering system.
Buy good boots.
I'd get a low profile baitcaster, but nothing wrong with getting a centerpin. May take you a while to bomb casts so you can fish more spots, especially when you may not have too much choice with where you can drift because the river is busy during salmon season.
I'm still at the stage where, by any means necessary to get into fish... then good line and hooks so I don't lose them.
Good luck. And if you have the cash, buy whatever you like. Nothing wrong with being a gear who*e.
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I ordered all my wading gear from LL Bean.. $79 for waders and going on my third season (breathable stocking feet) and just got my Goretex Paclite wading jacket from them ($149 on sale). The jacket is awesome, all the features I want and it looks good enough to wear around town.
I was looking at their jackets. How do they fit? I'm 5'7 was gna get a medium.
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Don't get turned off by all the guys saying go with a baitcaster setup first, if you want to fish centerpin then go for it quite easy to cast after a day or two on the water, I will say though that a bait casting setup is more versatile as you can fish spoons/spinners with them.
As for stores stocking frogg togg gear there's not much selection sadly, sea run had their tech toad jackets as did Fred's, and army and navy had some over priced low end waders, don't know why local stores don't stock their stuff but they don't best bet is to order it off their site directly or an American site like fishusa.com.
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Cabelas down in Washington had some frogg toggs stuff last time I was down
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I was looking at their jackets. How do they fit? I'm 5'7 was gna get a medium.
I did the same, I ordered both the small and medium. Both fit, med a little looser, but I kept the small. I'm 5'7" about 145 lb 37-38 chest. I was wearing a thick hoody underneath too. About the same length. If you're a little bulkier, the med is good. Length is virtually the same, maybe .5-1" more.
I was looking at the Simms Headwater, so happy I went with this.. The wrist collar, large inside pocket, bellow outside pockets, zippers on the hand warmer pockets. Very happy with the design. Not super super short either.
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First post.... I have a Islander Steelheader reel, with a cheap 10' trophy XL in light-medium action. When I first pulled this setup out, all my friends laughed and were giving me the hardest time about having such a "crap" rod with a nice reel. I've been fishing every weekend since I have had it since I can still afford gas to get out there since I didn't blow it all on my rig. I watched my friends all eat their words when they saw me land a 22 pound spring on it, a 20 pound spring, and then three coho these last couple weeks. So honestly man, buy what you can afford, and just get out there and have fun. If people give you a hard time, who *%#in cares. As long as you're having fun, enjoy the sport. That's what it's all about.
As far as the LL Bean wading jacket, I sure hope you guys are right about it being a good jacket! Read your opinions and others and bought the paclight jacket last night. Hope it shows up soon!
Cheers! :)
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That 10 footer is the same one I have and no problems landing springs as long as you don't snag one by the tail. Then it's point the tip down snap the leader and tie up a new one.
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As far as the LL Bean wading jacket, I sure hope you guys are right about it being a good jacket! Read your opinions and others and bought the paclight jacket last night. Hope it shows up soon!
Cheers! :)
Still a wicked jacket, but I was wrong there are no inside pockets...so don't put anything in there, you'll see what I mean.
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Can't say enough good things about Frogg Toggs...
Had their Hellbender waders for almost 3 years, and put probably close to 400 trips on them. Many of those days were bushwacking into remote flows, through salmon berry, etc. Fell down 2 rock faces over the years that would have measured 10-15 feet or better, even split myself open through the waders on one of those falls and no tears. IMO the best wader on the market for $130.
The Tekk Toad jackets are very worth the $50. We've put around 100 trips on ours the last year here... and they have held up well. Wearing them with waders that have Velcro (neoprenes) is a pain, as the Velcro will tear apart the inside of the jacket and jam up the Velcro with the fuzz that comes off the jacket. These jackets also came on many crazy bush wacking excursions, and held up better than I expected. They felt thin so I thought they would tear on everything and anything salmon berry or blackberry like, but they have surprised me many times. I've put maybe 6 holes in mine in the past year, but they are incredibly easy to patch with some shoe goo or marine goop and won't leak after the patch. You only need to patch the back, shoulder and arms, every where else has multiple layers and only the stuff in the pockets will get wet if you get holes on the front/sides.
As for your rod/reel. I'd honestly get a baitcaster, but that's just me. Longer casting range, get more casts into a day (pins take forever to reel in), can toss spoons and spinners. I've had some issues with the pin on island rivers as you can't reel in fast enough fishing some spots and all your gear gets caught in overhanging branches if you are fishing slots mid to other side of river. Only advantage of a pin is that it gets better drifts and is more fun to fight fish on being single action.
Last thing... don't cheap out on boots. Boots that are ratty will wreck the feet on your waders. Stay away from Chota's, they are complete garbage and not worth any amount of money. If I were doing everything all over again with the knowledge I have now, I would be looking for an old pair of Hodgeman's (either the leather or canvas ones). Things are bomb proof besides the felt, but the felt is easy to replace for 20 bucks.
Last thing... don't buy Frogg Togg's waders in Canada... Every shop I have been to for the waders has had them extremely over priced, around $50 more than the states. Going from $130 to $180 makes them no longer worth the price. Best cheap wader on the market but if you're going to pay $180 for them, get a better wader in that case... Jackets seem to run about $50 everywhere I've seen them!
Cheers,
Dan