North River rod question

[Slow Roll]

I was given a North River Rod for a gift recently.
It is a 9', 2 pc., heavy action, 20-50 lb line and 3/4 to 4 oz. with a 6500 C4 (unspooled as of yet).

It is a nice rod, but I really don't know what I can use it for. Seems too heavy for salmon, could be about right for sturgeon (don't fish for them yet, but would like too) but I don't know for certain.

Any advice from more knowlegdeable people would help me greatly.

Thanks,
Paul

[Fish4Fun]

Slow Roll,

I use the older W.W. Grigg GX902-H which is the same rod as you are describing for keeper size Sturgeon in the shallows near Astoria. Great rod for that fishery from a boat, I have thrown up to 14oz. and never had a problem. These are good rods for the money. Infact some of my older rods are 6 years old and have landed several hundred Sturgeon. Shakers to 8 footers.

[Coot22]

after selling and handling many of the northriver rods, the best overall rod is probably the one piece 7'9" 15-40 which is great for the coast chinook and sturgeon. However, the NR 20-50 is a good rod for heavier water. If you are bank fishing then the rod you have is great, if you are from a boat, I would go with the one piece 15-40. Just my two cents. :grin:

-Coot

[MasterCaster]

I have to agree with Coot22
I have 2 of the 1 piece 7'9" 15-40 rods and luv em for salmon on the coast havent fished springers over there yet but hope to get into it this year but as far as fall chinook goes the rod handles great for throwin spinners.

I bought the rods for $35 each slightly used as well as 2 2 piece rods 8'6" 12-25 for the same price they work well also but I prefer the 1 piece by far.

:smile: :grin: :smile: Jon

[wiser]

Pretty close to a Lamiglass Kenai Killer, Tip might not be quite as fast. A little heavy but should work fine when anchor fishing for chinook. Probably better for estuary sturgeon. If you fish a crowded bank area for fall chinook(Trask Tidewater) it would work well to get a fish in quickly amongst a crowd. I'd spool it with 65lb tuff line or power pro and use it when these types of fishing present themselves. No matter what, if someone gave them to me as a gift I'd say Thank You very much!!!

[Capin' Dan]

Slow Roll, This sounds like a heavy stick type rod. Do you fish Sturgeon or lings (Shallow less than 200') I have two North river heavy 10 to 40
8'6" they are the best rods I have ever owned and I'm not joking when I say they have caught over 300 fish each. This last year while mooching salmon out of new port a 55lb and 78lb Halibut lost there lives due to these rods. Two weeks later a huge King salmon and another 50# plus Halibut lost there lives to them as well. I have had oversize sturgeon on them that luckily broke off. They are beutiful when pulling divers in the ocean or at buoy ten. I have both of mine with a 6500c3. I think you will love this rod. If not give me a yell I'll buy the whole set up from you. My buddy has a new boat and we need toget him set up.

[finclipped]

Slow Roll, I can't say that I have had the same luck as others on this board with the North River, but I do have that exact same rod outfitted with a Penn 320. Out of the three North River rods I bought a year ago,(One sturgeon, one salmon and one steelhead) only one hasn't broke. Fisherman's will replace them, so its easy to replace.

I use the heavy rod in the winter time for keeper sturgeon and it works great. The 6500 is too small for my taste, but I think you have a great rod for keeper sturgeon fishing out of a boat. I don't think its going to be enough length for a good bank sturgeon rod and its a little too big for salmon.

[Crabby 2]

Sounds like a bobber rod set up to me, Slow Roll. I think there could be numerous applications for your rig.It would be a great rod for the Estuary, too; salmon or sturgeon. Anyway, as Tom Peterson would say..."Free, is a very good price!"

Dale

[Slow Roll]

Thanks for the advice everybody, keep 'em coming. I am definetly looking forward to using my new rod and reel, now that I have an idea of what for. I am mainly a walleye fisherman so this is a lot heavier than the gear I am used to.

So from what I am getting is that this is a good setup for gators. Also for salmon if I am bobber fishing or banking it (which is all I can do at this time) or fishing the ocean. Hmmm, sounds like a versatile rig.

I already promised the gift giver that I would share my first catch with them.

I think I will go spool it with some tuff line or power pro and go from there.

Amyone want to help me break it in? :grin:

P.S. Sorry Capin, not selling anything yet, I am still working on getting my rod collection built up.