suggestions for plunking rod

Mad Mikey · 01-04-2003, 03:55 PM

This is a subject I know little about beause I don't fish sitting on a beach but I have an elderly neighbor who does. He came to me today and asked what I would recommend for plunking at Willow Bar for Springers. He is using a sweeeet Calcutta that is fine for this application and needs a rod to match it capable of throwing at least 6oz of lead. He is thinking in the price range of $200-$300.
I will be gone this evening and if this topic ends up going to the bottom would you please E-mail me with more info. Thanks guys!!!

Kilgore · 01-04-2003, 04:04 PM

Where is Willow Bar?

For that kind of money, you can pick up a Lamiglas rod at Fisherman's for around $220. The selection of the rod depends mostly on what kind of weight he'll need to throw to hold in the current, and also the length depends on what he feels comfortable handling.

Mad Mikey · 01-04-2003, 04:25 PM

Uh, I don't know where Willow Bar is, I think it's on the Willamette or the Columbia. I confess ingnorance becaue I do not fish the big rivers.
I do know there are a lot of plunkers and power boat guys on this board who would be able to point the guy in the right direction.
I think Lamiglas is a great brand and fairly priced for what he's doing, no need for a Loomis or custom made rod, rather what length and line rating? He does not used braided lines, prefers #30 mono and wants a rod that is not quite as stiff as the old one he's got. He's a big dude, 78 years old, 6'5" and still strong as an ox, with the right flex in a rod he'll be able to pitch it as far as he wants.

MasterCaster · 01-04-2003, 04:58 PM

I dont know what exactly hes looking for but I use a one peice North River rod for plunking the Willamette here around Salem and also Used it last year on the Columbia at Tanner cr. I have had no problems with it at all. Plenty of backbone to bring them in out of the current.

I highly recomend a braided line for plunking. Especially if you are casting out very far.

My rod is a one piece North River Line: 15-40 Lure 1/2 to 3 oz <i think> <I throw 8 or 10 with it at times but mostly 6oz and have had no problems>
Its a short rod but I like it only 7'9". I have used this rod around all the other 9', 10', ect.. rods and get just as many hookups as they do.

Just my .02

Jon :smile: :grin: :smile:

Mad Mikey · 01-04-2003, 05:00 PM

Thanks Jon. Back to the top :grin:

ultralight · 01-04-2003, 05:12 PM

In my opinion, 7'9" rod is just too short for plunking a big river such as the CR or the Willamette. It would create too much line drag due to a low angle, requiring even heavier sinker, and will lack the line control of a longer rod. I would prefer to use one at least 10' long.

crabbait · 01-04-2003, 05:27 PM

I prefer a soft tip in a plunking rod so you get some bend in the rod while in the holder. You really do not need the sensitivity of the high modulus graphites and rod weight is not really a factor.

I recommend an Ugly Stick like the CA 1186-2A Heavy action. If you have the cash, a custom Harrington would make a great stick for casting 6oz weights.

Bankbound · 01-04-2003, 05:32 PM

Yeah 7'9'' is too short. my favorite plunking rod is 7'10'' :grin: , I want to say it's a diawa procaster or something of that sort (it's been put away for awhile). it is rated for 10-30lb. line and 1-8oz. of weight I can cast anywhere I really want to with 6 ounces of weight and it'll hold just fine with a k-15. I like more backbone when you are stuck on the bank with heavy current and a big fish.

MH

MasterCaster · 01-04-2003, 05:33 PM

Ultrlight I think 90% of the plunkers would agree with that. When I go out to the CR I get all kinda of looks like what does he think hes doing with that trout rod. Then when I hook up they dont snicker much anymore. The issue of too much line drag has never been an issue for me. If the current is running close enough to the bank to cause a problem then thats where I want my gear! :grin: I see too many people casting too far out in the current. I fish the edges where the fish come in to rest a little on their way up river. If people are hooking up way out in the current we are usually hooking up on the current break as well.

On the willamette I dont cast out more that 10' from the bank very often.

I also use a rod holder that puts my reel 2 to 3 feet above the ground. Makes it much easier to get ahold of.

Jon :smile: :grin: :smile:

[ 01-05-2003, 09:44 AM: Message edited by: MasterCaster ]

Trick · 01-04-2003, 05:38 PM

I'm using 8' rods when I plunk the big river and I think the effects of line drag are minimal. You could use taller spikes to gain the height if you needed.

I like a two piece rod with alot of backbone when tossing the heavy weights. Sensitivity really isn't important for this type of fishing. Save your money on your plunking rod and use it on the reel. Go with glass or with a composite rod. Buy a descent level-wind reel with a good drag. Those springers were brutal on my 6501's last year. My Penn 321 and my Okuma Convector were better suited to handle those big boys.

Go get some sand between your toes this year!

KingFisher85 · 01-04-2003, 05:38 PM

Well I don't know where Willow Bar but I take it that its on the Columbia River. Save the money and get an 12 foot ugly stick for no more then $160 a good rod and for that much you can also pick up a great reel. For that much you can get a very good rod that can take over sized sturgeon and a good reel that can handle heaver line and a big fish.
No need to buy a lamiglas or a loomis on something like this, you don't need no sensitive high $$$ rod. Just something that can take a good amount of lead that will "show" when a fish hits it.

ultralight · 01-04-2003, 05:46 PM

MasterCaster, the real question is not whether you can catch a Springer with a shorter rod, but which is ideal to cover various situations that come up when you're fishing. I am sure I can catch a Springer with a 5' rod, but I much prefer to use a longer rod. You know, sometimes the size does matter.

It's true that Springers often hang close to the bank in certain situations, but it's better to have the option to cast to deep section where they usually swim. Just find it hard to believe that you can catch many fish within 10' from the bank on the Willamette, but I'm sure you don't want to diverge that special spot?

MasterCaster · 01-04-2003, 05:57 PM

Actualy I can share a couple spots after all they arent exactly secrets lol

Independance....Social Security hole

Mininite <sp> hole on the west side of the Willamette a few miles south of the Wheatland ferry. the gravel bar to the north of the parking lot is by far better than right where you park. At times you have to cast a ways there but not usualy.

I have one other spot but it is a little more of a zipper lip spot and a bit of a hike. If you want to try it this april or may let me know and Ill be happy to show it to you.

Jon :smile: :grin: :smile:

[ 01-05-2003, 08:33 AM: Message edited by: MasterCaster ]

toonboater · 01-04-2003, 05:57 PM

FWIW, I moved here from the East Coast where I did a lot of surf fishing for strippers and a long rod was a must. I did a bunch of plunking in the early days with my 10' Penn rod and a surfmaster reel. It could throw anything from a heavy rigged eel to a plug. Caught a number of chinook and steelhead with it on the Meldrum bar and mouth of the Clack. A long rod will keep the line out of the current and give you a solid connection to the business end. Just my 2 cents.

MasterCaster · 01-04-2003, 06:01 PM

I forgot to mention that I have caught steelhead in the little zipper spot as close as 3' from the bank. :grin: Of course the water conditions need to be right to get them that close. The Chinook seen to be in the 10' from the bank range most all the time.

Jon :smile: :grin: :smile:

Kilgore · 01-04-2003, 06:01 PM

I agree with Ultrallight that the longer rods will be much more pleasant to use than the shorter ones. I don't know about some of you guys, but I much rather use a longer rod than to carry a much heavier longer rod holder. You gotta fish smarter not harder

Mad Mikey · 01-04-2003, 06:03 PM

>>>surf fishing for strippers and a long rod was a must. <<<

Uh, Geo. I hope you meant STRIPERS??? Um, ah, nevermind. Way too easy, I think your mind is wandering a bit......

And to the rest of ya, thanks and keep going!!! I'll check in tomorrow and search the archives if the topic gets booted. The ugly stick idea is GREAT, but my experience with them has been that they are a little TOO flexible. Are any of the bigger sticks a little stiffer???

[ 01-04-2003, 07:15 PM: Message edited by: Mad Mikey ]

Trick · 01-04-2003, 06:03 PM

I can attest that those fish run close to the bank. It was a rare tide when we didn't at least get a fish or two last year. I was plunking during june for steelhead on the lower CR islands and I had to pick though 9 june-hogs and I missed few other takedowns trying to catch a steelhead. These fish were running shallow and close to shore.

When I steelhead fish I keep the gear in tight and have excellent results. I usually fish the islands to avoid the usual bank crowds, but I did fish prescott once last year (limited out) and I caught a few from Diblees.

April was the hot month but I hit one on February 19th (first time out) and several in March. June was spectacular too when the river was closed for them. :depressed:

Ought to be another great year! Guess I'll break out my Snoopy rod and get to work!

HOGGEMIN · 01-04-2003, 06:26 PM

I'm with Crabbait on a harrington rod Ollie Damons can tye one up. they are a awsome rod a lot of the original bank fishermen up at Tanner Cr. and bradford Island and willow bar use Harrington's. I have 4, I would recomend a 207 or a 724 witk a preference of the 724. I have fished Tanner Cr. for 22 years off the bank not had one problem with one breaking. Just my .02 worth.

DiveR · 01-04-2003, 06:34 PM

Any more recommendations on reels ????
Thanks

HOGGEMIN · 01-04-2003, 06:38 PM

Look at a penn 975 or 965 or a shimano Calcutta both awsome reels.

MasterCaster · 01-04-2003, 06:42 PM

Heres a pic from the "other" spot of a steelhead that was caught less than 10' from the bank. Im sure some of you know the place. Its above Newburg but below Albany. :grin: :tongue:

Jon :smile: :grin: :smile:

KingFisher85 · 01-04-2003, 06:43 PM

Well if you can find them, the Daiwa SeaLine 47H is one nice casting reel. But the Daiwa SeaLine 50H open face is even better casting reels. To nice of reels with 40 pound test line on them set for bank sturgeon or salmon out on the CR

[ 01-04-2003, 08:26 PM: Message edited by: KingFisher85 ]

blacktail · 01-04-2003, 07:39 PM

Last year I bought a Daiwa Sealine 40HV reel and a Daiwa 10' Sealine rod. I threw up to 12 ounces at Meldrum without any problems. The reel is very nice. I have about $200.00 total in the set-up.

Mike

riverrat · 01-04-2003, 09:12 PM

here is a set-up that will not break the bank, but put those springers on the beach.....

North x Northwest......by Griggs
IM 902HC.....IM6.....Graphite
9.0'...20-50#....Action Heavy

ABU.....7000

Last years sales prices....rod at gi joes for $80 and the reel at walmart for $70....
I also agree with the ifishers posting on location of springers in relation to the shoreline.....in close near the current breaks, usually under 20' from shore, which in the fishy areas is less than 20' of water depth.

MasterCaster · 01-04-2003, 09:25 PM

For reels I stick with my Abu's I use both 5500 and 6500c3 reels if Im fishing tight to the shore I like 25# mono, If Im casting a ways I like Power Pro with 30# mono MAXIMA leader.

Jon :smile: :grin: :smile:

[ 01-05-2003, 08:34 AM: Message edited by: MasterCaster ]

Mad Mikey · 01-05-2003, 08:07 AM

For the record, I got up this AM and had an E-mail from another member shaming me for being evasive about the whereabouts of Willow Bar, IF that is what I was doing of course.
No it is not, I have NO IDEA where Willow Bar is and I'm sure it's not a secret. So to whoever may have read between the lines in my initial posts, there ain't nothin' there. I think I made it pretty clear that I didn't know where Willow Bar was and that I don't fish the big rivers, but I guess there's always someone trying to stir things up.
Thanks for the vent......... [img]graemlins/icon_argue.gif[/img]

tomtom · 01-05-2003, 08:19 AM

My Lamiglas Kenai Killer is perfect for CR springers. It is 9 1/2' long and has plenty of backbone to horse them in in crowded conditions.

Mad Mikey · 01-05-2003, 05:58 PM

Thanks for the help guys. As to my previous post it's all good now......

Paddlefish · 01-05-2003, 09:29 PM

I agree that it's nice to be able to fish right along the edge of the river. In the old days at Reeder Beach (1960s,) the short lob was typically the secret for bank-hugging summer steelies. My dad used to fish with a 5-foot-long, solid steel, hand-me-down "boat rod" he'd inherited from his brother. It looked funny in a rodholder next to those 11-foot-long surf style rods, but it caught fish.

However, I've found myself up at Tanner Creek, at certain water levels, fishing in front of a back eddy. I couldn't envision the salmon and steelhead facing downstream in the eddy somehow. The ideal slot would seem to be right at the seam where the eddyline meets the downstream current. Actually, it's exactly what you'd see on Eagle Creek, the Salmon River or any other small stream --- just magnified a few thousand times. :shocked: At times like those, it's nice to have all of the eleven feet of rod I've been using recently. It works. :grin:

And, for the record, Willow Bar is on Sauvie Island, a couple clicks upstream from Social Security Beach. When you get to Willow Slough, you've gone just a bit too far.