Best Steelhead Rod and Reel??

rags · 11-29-2001, 03:55 PM

I convinced my wife I need one more rod and reel for Steelhead this winter. I have been looking at the Shimano Curado SF and the GLoomis IMX 1025c. Is this the best? I told her I would buy the best and it would be my last Will maybe.....

Thumper · 11-29-2001, 04:14 PM

I don't know anything about G.Loomis, but the Curado is hard to beat. John, let me suggest that you get a rod that is longer than usual, cause if you haven't you will get into float/jig fishing. I use a 10.5 foot 6-10 pound rod, and it might be a little long for drift fishing but it's a killer on bobbers/jigs.

drifter · 11-29-2001, 05:27 PM

Rags: Guide Terry Mulkey turned my on to the IMX STR 1082C for drifting fishing. In fact, I had the chance to try the 1025 and the 1082 side by side. No comparison. The 1082 has much more feel and is more than enough rod for winter steelhead. I have fished with it for 4 years now and would not change. Add a Calcutta 251 reel and you have the best rod. Good Fishing - Drifter.

Fishin Magician · 11-29-2001, 06:36 PM

I agree with drifter I have about every loomis drift rod and my no.1 choice is one of my 1082C's in IMX for drift fishing, I have a couple 1082S's in GL2 for Bobber fishing.The only time I am leary using these is under higher water conditions. Tthey dont have the backbone that an 8 1/2' rod has. But they are a rush to fight fish on..........Good Luck.

SteelieSteve · 11-29-2001, 07:35 PM

Rags
You might consider a TH custom rod. Many to choose from and the ones I've seen have great action. Can't beat Shimano reels.

Snagly · 11-29-2001, 09:22 PM

Instead of the Curado SF, I'd buy a regular Chronarch. Nothing against the Curado, but the Chronarch is essentially the same reel with more metal and ball bearings in it. Stands to reason it should last longer if well maintained.

I'm very partial to the Loomis IMX 1084 (9' 6-12lb) TH Custom Rods built for me. I'm not familiar with the 1082, but I own the GL3 version of the 1025 (8.5' 19-17lb) and find it a great all-round rod for steelhead AND salmon. But if your wife's only a steelheader, a 1084 in an old blank (apparently superior to the new IMX blanks) would be the ticket.

Alternatively, order a Rainshadow (a GL3+ quality graphite I'm told, at a big discount) from TH in whatever model you deside on (most Loomis models are replicated by number) and use the savings to pay for the more expensive Chronarch.

As long as your juggling the options suggested by the other posters to this thread, you're going to be in great shape (e.g. the Calcutta 200 and 250 are also great steelhead AND salmon reels).

Jim · 11-30-2001, 05:08 AM

Y'all spend to much time thinkin....the best rod and reel combo is simple...

The one with a fish on!

Jim :grin:

drifter · 11-30-2001, 03:12 PM

Rags: The comments about TH Rods are worth considering. I have a TH Rainshadow Rod for drift fishing for chinook that has been great. I would agree that they run similar to a GL3, maybe a little better. And at substantially reduced cost. For the money, they are probably the best buy. Also, I was very impressed with the quality of construction of my TH Rod.

Now, for the dilemma. If it were me and money was not a factor, I would still pick the Loomis IMX for that EXTRA BIT of sensitivity. I would probably pay the extra $100. to get it. Usually, I am a tightwad, but if this is my BEST STEELHEAD rod...! Maybe TH Rods can get a Loomis IMX blank. Anyhow, good fishing. Let us know what you decide and how it worked. Drifter

TH · 11-30-2001, 05:45 PM

Nope, sorry can't get IMX blanks any more..]
I have a IMX ST 1025c webie wood insert(used maybe three-five times times) It is one of my last GLoomis rods.. I would part with it for $220.

I like the TH 1084c Rainshadow blank. I would build it with SicTi guides, webie wood insert reel seat and SicTi hook keeper. :grin:

I would also without any questions or second thoughts put a chronarch 100 with 20# power pro..

I have four of these rods just like I described.. I can fish any rod on the market, and this is my choice for this steelie season.
If the twenty pounder comes knocking this year, you can bet I will have this rod/reel combo in my hand.

(Unless I am jig fishing and that's another thread all together) :grin:

Catch 22 · 11-30-2001, 08:33 PM

That's what I use. A Loomis 1025c with a Curado. Perfect drift setup. My friend uses the same setup except he uses a Calais instead. The curado is good for the $.

fishin optician · 12-03-2001, 06:24 PM

Rags: I have both the 1082 and the 1025. The 1082 is a good rod if you're using smaller hooks' ie 1s or 1/0s. If you're fishing big hooks like the 2/0 and 3/0 the 1025 is the way to go. Backbone, baby. You'll need it for those big OP natives in the spring. (I thought we discussed all this? You doubt me?)

Snapshot · 12-03-2001, 08:32 PM

Rags, just the other day you were saying you had it all and while you may, we find out that you now need to start buying the good stuff for you wife. Have you told her yet? I have to agree with Jim, the best rod is the one with a fish on. I also like the longer rods and am thinking of one for bobber and jig fishing. Any suggestions?
If the water drops I want to go on Thursday. Give me a call if you can go for my maiden voyage. Where's NO Pilgrim when I need him? I'll know by Wed Pm.

rags · 12-03-2001, 10:19 PM

I'm sorry, I don't doubt the "Fishin Optician." I got those Bare waders didn't I? Backbone, Backbone, Backbone...............I got to remember this, Backbone, Backbone, Backbone..............

fishin optician · 12-04-2001, 07:08 AM

Yes, Rags, BACKBONE! Now show a little of it and get the 1025. You too can become a hookin' machine!

willametteriveroutlaw · 12-04-2001, 01:19 PM

I have the gloomis 1024c with the standard curado on it. Its a tad more sensitive than the hevier (sp) 1025, but still has good backbone. I have caught everything for 40lb chinook to 4 lb summers on this set up and wouldn't trade it for the world. I would suggest trying to find a pre shimano loomis (4 yrs old or older). I have heard that the new ones aren't as good. Also Lamiglas came out with a gx series (?) this year that is supposed to be excepitional. I will proably try to pick up one of those for salmon. I also have a gloomis 8-17 lb crankin stick that works well for throwing spinners and drifting worms on real small streams.

Jigman · 12-04-2001, 02:39 PM

No question........G.Loomis STR1143C GL3 and Shimano Metanium mg baitcaster!

rags · 12-04-2001, 06:35 PM

Hey Fishin Optician, your the best Steelhead fisherman I have ever seen. I wish you would stop lurking and post some of your knowledge so we can all learn from the best. Were you a Steelhead in your last life? Hope to get up to the OP soon and show off my new Bare wadders and 1025c. I've got some killer eggs!

HOGTIDE · 12-04-2001, 07:06 PM

I've always admired the guys that know all of the model numbers on each rod Lami or Loomis makes. Frankly' I'm a bit intimidated by their explicit knowledge of such things.

I own a garage-load of graphite,(mostly Lami) but honestly, I couldn't give you a model number, unless I ran out to the garage and wrote it down.

What I have found over the past 3 decades of fishin' is, when it comes to steelhead, the lighter and more flexible the rod- the more enjoyable the experience, once I am hooked-up!

I know larger rivers, different techniques and conditions frequently take longer or slower tapered rods for success. But to me, the sweetest feeling on the river is a quickly-max'ed pole, doubled in half with a sweet rainbow arch. When the fish is being landed, I like to see that tip guide at the same elevation as my reel seat. The rod pulses with every movement of the fish. And you have to be darn-quick to respond to a sudden burst, or take advantage of a brief lull. It is a very intimate connection between fish and fisher, if played right.

The last couple of years, I have rebuilt the cork handle to salmon-size grips on a couple of Shimano 'Shad' rods. Load up my Amb.2500c's with #8 maxima and I am ready to tame the piscatorial world of winter.

An actual advantage of the limber rods is that they load up quickly and keep constant pressure on the fish, even when it is air born. :shocked:

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