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I've been in Idaho for 5 years and have spent most of that time learning how to find deer and elk. I started getting the bug to start learning how to fish this state last year. I bought a boat and took the family crappie fishing, but I want to add Kokanne at Lucky Peak and some river fishing for Salmon/Steelhead. The problem is I can't affort to gear up on special rods for both trolling and steelhead for my family. Do you think I could find a rod that would work reasonably well for both for a while until I can afford to start adding more specialized poles? All I know is both fish seem to have soft mouths and apparently need soft "sensitive" tips.
Any advice? All I have now are about 5 of your standard $60 spinning set-ups for 6-8lb test on med action, plus two ultra lights which are fun for crappie.
Help?
P.S. I do plan to buy at least one downrigger this year and maybe two.
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welcome to the site!!!!!!! um my thing with your question is is that trolling for kokanee and river fishing for steelhead/salmon are so completley different styles of fishing the only thing i can think of that makes them similar is that idealy you want longer rods for both 8'6" or longer. but dont think you need special rods to do either type of fishing i have caught steelhead and trolled for kokanee with many cheap rod and real setups typically medium action 8 lb test line its just nicer to have a rod that is designed specificaly for what your doing with it. kokanee trolling rods are usually long and light and very very flexible hardly any spine you couldnt really bottom bounce for steelhead with it. hope i helped a little bit.
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Like Chrome-Junky said, the specialty rods for Kokanee and Steelhead are different. While both are sensitive, the Kokanee rods are long and have very little spine. The Kokanee have very soft lips that lures rip out of very easily. I am not an expert on steelhead but I know the rods are very sensitive to feel the bottom while at the same time having a good "backbone" to set the hook into their harder mouths.
I would think your trolling rods would work fine for Kokanee as long as you use a snubber to absorb the shock of the hit. You might ask about this at BFTs sister forum on Kokaneefishingforum.com
Welcome to BFT.
Windriver
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I would say the rods that you have would work fine for trolling for kokes. That's currently what I use when I do it. However I don't use a downrigger so I'm not sure if that would effect things. And yes, get some snubbers for trolling for the kokes. You could look at Cabela's bargain cave though. They have their depthmaster trolling rods on sale in there for $20.
As for the steelhead I just looked at the regular fishing stuff under rods on Cabelas and they have the tourney trail rods on special... buy 1 get 1 free! I currently have 3 of them for steelheading and have really liked them. They aren't a G-loomis, but they work decent for the price. Currently $60. One of your medium to larger size spinning reels should work fine for most Salmon steelhead.
Hope that help some.
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I say use what you have. I do. I catch Kokanne's on 8' Ugly Stik Heavy action trolling rods. All i do is add a snubber before the hook and you are usually good to go. I have had days with 70+ fish on those heavy rods. There are many ways to make what you have usable for what you want to fish without spending much $.
I will have to say that the Ugly Stik Lite model will come close to doing both. My Salmon/Steelhead rod is an 8'6" MH Ugly Stik Lite and I have caught 36" salmon down to 8" Trout with it. Loosen the drag a bit or add a snubber for the small fish and your good. If I were to buy new rods for my downriggers, it would be the Ugly Stik Lite. The Lite tips helps a lot, but in the end 2 different rods would be ideal.
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Thanks guys. I got excited being in Riggins last weekend. Everyone there was using the longer rods, which makes sense. The only common theme between the two fish(kokanee and steelhead) from a rod standpoint was the "soft-tip". For now I will take your advice and go buy a steelhead rod, and use my current rods for koke trolling and add a snubber. If I find I really love trolling then I will get some better gear. I missed Sportsment's 10% off sale last weekend, oh well.
Again thanks for the advice.
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