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Last year I posted that I was looking for a smaller fast actioned rod for smaller steelhead and smallmouth fishing. I wanted one rod to cover both needs, but I have since purchased three rods to cover those two needs?!?! Here's what I found...
The Loop 12'4" black line really likes the Vision Ace VAC89F shooting head with Rio 12' Powerflex leaders and Rio Slickshooter. Slickshooter rocks. The Powerflex leaders fish and cast great -- much better than the Airflo 10' polyleaders. The heaviest one really gets down pretty good for being just a "leader". The whole thing is a real slick setup for smaller steelhead. Completely effortless. The rod doesn't overpower an average steelhead either. I have also experimented successfully with cutting back a 13wt tarpon taper and looping on Rio 15' sink tips. It can cast big intruders OK in this configuration, but its probably not the rod's strong suit.
The Loomis 12'6" 8/9 (from canada - not the new stingers) likes the Vision Ace VAC910F with the same 12' leaders. However, this rod gets to be a bit big for "smaller steelhead". Its a real powerhouse though. Unfortunately when it comes to rods like that, I already have a couple. The rod casts super tight loops with very high line speeds. I'll probably end up selling it though, since its a bit bigger than what I was seeking.
Finally, the Cabelas 11'3" 6wt "Spey" rod is really cool for smallmouth and would work well for medium/large trout, dollies, etc. I've tried several lines on it and have so far settled on the 9wt Rio Clauser line. It casts well with underhand style so long as the flies are small. And it is still able to deliver fully dressed 2/0 half&halfs to about 65' if I use a more Skagity cast. The nice thing about the setup is it handles Airflo 10' polyleaders with no problem. The line is already looped for them. The rod is so light that even a 14" smallie bends it really good. And its still short and light enough that it can be cast one handed when necessary. (like when trying to work under brush) The clauser line's weight forward design makes it easier to "shake" the line back out to make another speycast -- sometimes necessary when casting and stripping back in. The rod can also be used overhead with two hands. I haven't tried it much with poppers yet, but it seems to work OK for that too.
I started experimenting with 2handers for smallies last year when I was having soreness in my casting hand caused by single hand casting. So far this Cabelas rod is just the ticket.
The Loop 12'4" black line really likes the Vision Ace VAC89F shooting head with Rio 12' Powerflex leaders and Rio Slickshooter. Slickshooter rocks. The Powerflex leaders fish and cast great -- much better than the Airflo 10' polyleaders. The heaviest one really gets down pretty good for being just a "leader". The whole thing is a real slick setup for smaller steelhead. Completely effortless. The rod doesn't overpower an average steelhead either. I have also experimented successfully with cutting back a 13wt tarpon taper and looping on Rio 15' sink tips. It can cast big intruders OK in this configuration, but its probably not the rod's strong suit.
The Loomis 12'6" 8/9 (from canada - not the new stingers) likes the Vision Ace VAC910F with the same 12' leaders. However, this rod gets to be a bit big for "smaller steelhead". Its a real powerhouse though. Unfortunately when it comes to rods like that, I already have a couple. The rod casts super tight loops with very high line speeds. I'll probably end up selling it though, since its a bit bigger than what I was seeking.
Finally, the Cabelas 11'3" 6wt "Spey" rod is really cool for smallmouth and would work well for medium/large trout, dollies, etc. I've tried several lines on it and have so far settled on the 9wt Rio Clauser line. It casts well with underhand style so long as the flies are small. And it is still able to deliver fully dressed 2/0 half&halfs to about 65' if I use a more Skagity cast. The nice thing about the setup is it handles Airflo 10' polyleaders with no problem. The line is already looped for them. The rod is so light that even a 14" smallie bends it really good. And its still short and light enough that it can be cast one handed when necessary. (like when trying to work under brush) The clauser line's weight forward design makes it easier to "shake" the line back out to make another speycast -- sometimes necessary when casting and stripping back in. The rod can also be used overhead with two hands. I haven't tried it much with poppers yet, but it seems to work OK for that too.
I started experimenting with 2handers for smallies last year when I was having soreness in my casting hand caused by single hand casting. So far this Cabelas rod is just the ticket.
