got the rod now which reel and line ? Help

[Bobber_Down]

just got my first steelhead fly pole gloomis glx 1208 10 ft 2 piece 8 weight rod now i need a reel and line to go with it ?
here is what i will primarly be useing it for
steelhead winter and summers and coho and want to be able to use indicators and flys
i know you get what you pay for so i dont mind spending the money if its going to last .
thanks kenny

[FLGator]

For winter steelheading it's tough to beat a reel with a sealed drag.

Danielsson reels are excellent. I own several and have been thrilled with their performance. However, it's sometimes s-l-o-w getting a hold of them.

Nautilus would be another worthy of serious consideration. Made in USA to boot.

[sothereiwas]

Lamson or Ross, I have several of each and they all have worked flawlessly.

Brad

[nookslayer]

all depends on the price point. I would go to the Nautilus if at all possible but the Ross, Bauer, Galvin or Lamson would be a nice option also.

[blazerman]

If money is no object I would get a Hatch 7 plus, otherwise Ross/Lamson/Galvan are all nice quality reels. You really don't need much for steelhead though, I've landed plenty of steelhead on old school hardy clickers. As far as lines are concerned, if your just going to be indicator fishing I'd get a Rio nymph line. If you plan on swinging flies too the Rio and Airflo multi-tip lines are nice.

Ben

[steelheadjunky]

I will post another for Ross. Pretty bullet proof, though I like loud out going clicks so have moved on to more hardy reels.

JJ

[KillerDave]

I'd go with a long belly WF line like a Scientific Anglers Steelhead Taper or XXD. I'm familier with SA so if you have another brand you prefer go for it--as long as it's a long belly design.

Also, strongly consider "overlining" your rod with a 9wt line. It will make roll casting much easier, which is much more efficient than overhead casting when fishing indicators.

I've cast and fished the 10' 8wt GLX. It's a great rod but I don't think it would be a good rod for pulling sink tips/multi-tip lines because it's long and has a soft tip. Just an opinion.

Everyone likes the sealed drag reels because they're awesome, but they don't give them away.

Good luck and good fishing with your new rod.

[Herringaide]

I have a Nautilus for king salmon which is silky smooth. Bauer for the rest (steelhead, silvers, trout). They work great, never any problems, and guys who I have fished with and have tried my Bauers have put them on their list for their next reel.

[MikeT]

You might want to check out Sierra Trading Post for some great close-out deals on Lamson reels. Their sealed drag works great and the cost will leave you with plenty to spend on a quality line or extra spool.
Mike

[FishonDon]

Another vote for Bauer. The reels the other guys mentioned are all very good. Once you play a hard running fish on a Bauer, you may not want to switch. Pure silk, baby..pure silk.

Somewhere on You Tube is a video set of tests done on fly reels. Good videos, and you get to see the reels in action with equivelent testing of each. Maybe I can find it again.

[Bobber_Down]

ok this is great info thanks guys still havent decided on wich one to buy
yet but i really like the idea of a good sealed drag
so what do you use for back on the reel and how much fly line do you actually load on the spool of the reel ?

[sothereiwas]

I use 30lb dacron on everything but my trout reels. Fly lines very from 90' to 110' for single hand rods depending on the manufacturer. Typically steelhead lines are a slightly longer head than a regular weight forward head, so that will take up some space you need for backing. I usually use reels a little on the larger side, not for the extra backing capacity but for retrieve rate. 100 yards of backing in more than enough for steelhead fishing. I have a Ross CLA 4 on my 8wt and it holds 200 yards of 20lb backing or 175 yards of 30lb. Kinda nice to have that extra backing if you hook a fall chinook, or fiesty silver. You want to be able to free reel the flyline on the reel without it binding up against the frame. when fiughting fihs you cant put it on level like you do when you put your gear away at the end of the day.

Brad

[Ty]

Scientific Angler Ultra 4 or Master Series Steelhead are my top two choices and for the money there are two new Gloomis Series Reels that are great!

[M'kay13]

Ross G4