What is a good all round spin rod for trout?

[DukesArcher]

Looking to do some spinning on the bow river. Mainly looking to fish for trout and maybe some smaller pike.

I take it an ultralight setup is too light?

Thanks

[TUFFBUFF]

UL set up is fine for trout to 16" or so and are fun to use, bigger ones they can almost do what they want till they get tired I usually spent more time hanging on to them then reeling.
The UL don't have much backbone to put muscle to them, a light action has a bunch more strength built into it, and will handle the bigger lures a bit easier.

6ft light action with 6 or 8lb test is IMO about as good as it gets for alberta trout, with a properly set drag.

[Tom Pullings]

I've caught some big bulls with my UL but if I was expecting larger fish I'd go with a L and 4-6 pound line.

[DukesArcher]

Think I'm just going to go with an UL setup and see what happens. Cabelas has some nice rods.

Best "luckiest" lures for Alberta trout?

[EZM]

One of the issues for river fishing will be snags. A UL won't allow enough muscle in some cases.

Also, consider that most UL's will come in much shorter lengths and length is you friend when casting out to a seam in the river that's way out there.

I would go with at least a L and probably with a premium ML like a St.Croix - and you will get a rod as light as most L/UL's, have the length to get out there, the backbone to muscle and more sensitivity than most other brands out there.

I have a few serie(s) of St.Croix Rods - the Wild River series offers some nice length for casting.

The Premier Series is more along the lines of a "standard length" rod if that's what you prefer.

[DukesArcher]

Originally Posted by EZM

One of the issues for river fishing will be snags. A UL won't allow enough muscle in some cases.

Also, consider that most UL's will come in much shorter lengths and length is you friend when casting out to a seam in the river that's way out there.

I would go with at least a L and probably with a premium ML like a St.Croix - and you will get a rod as light as most L/UL's, have the length to get out there, the backbone to muscle and more sensitivity than most other brands out there.

I have a few serie(s) of St.Croix Rods - the Wild River series offers some nice length for casting.

The Premier Series is more along the lines of a "standard length" rod if that's what you prefer.

I'll mostly be fishing the bow and lakes. So a light is my best option?

[EZM]

Originally Posted by DukesArcher

I'll mostly be fishing the bow and lakes. So a light is my best option?

That would be my advice. I have a few UL's and many L rods ML ..... and if I'm only carrying one down to the rivers edge it going to be the ML.

My point is you give up nothing by going to a longer rod with a little more backbone but you gain quite a bit (as long as you buy something that's quality and sensitive like a St.Croix/G.Loomis).

You are going to need to cast heavier stuff out there and an UL is awesome for a pond or small lake ........ not so much for the river.

You are going to get hung up and snagged on the river, and again, an UL isn't the ticket.

You also need to cast further in many cases - and a longer rod is real nice.

If you lived up here - I'd let you take 2 different rods to the river for the day ...... and I bet that you would prefer the longer stiffer rod by the end of the day (and likely 95% of the test pilots would too).

[DukesArcher]

But I need to cast small UL lures for trout?

I remember fishing the NS river back in 2014 though. Can't remember what rod I was using. But yeah, I'm looking for just one rod to do it all.

[RavYak]

I use a fenwick eagle 4 piece 7' ML MF. Light enough you can throw any lure and strong enough you can land a 30 in fish.

I like this rod because it breaks down great for hiking into spots and can catch all trout in AB.

[DukesArcher]

I guess I can also cast flies using a casting bubble if needed.

[RavYak]

Originally Posted by DukesArcher

I guess I can also cast flies using a casting bubble if needed.

Or you could fly fish.

[huntsfurfish]

Find a 7' Med Light that fits your budget, put on a 1000 series reel and you would be good to go for most of what you want to do. For Trout I prefer mono, but most on here will recommend braid.

And yes, you can also cast flies using a casting bubble if needed.

[TUFFBUFF]

Originally Posted by Tom Pullings

I've caught some big bulls with my UL but if I was expecting larger fish I'd go with a L and 4-6 pound line.

We regularly get a few 24-26" bullies on our L/UL rods every year and they take a bit of finesse for sure. I muscle em enough to keep them in the pool there in as it can be a crapshoot if they peel out on ya.

Originally Posted by DukesArcher

Think I'm just going to go with an UL setup and see what happens. Cabelas has some nice rods.

Best "luckiest" lures for Alberta trout?

Ya make your own luck but I usually start with a spinner (of a special variety and color) and don't change it to often. I understand the bow is a bit different though - spoons and crankbaits seem to be more popular besides flies.

Another tip - you get a better hook set with a bit heavier rod.

[cranky]

I was in the market recently for a ultralite. I didnt want a shorter rod. I ended up with a Shimano Sellus UL. Around the $70 if i remember correctly and they come in 5'6-6' and 6'6. I found its closer to the Lite than UL, they got lots of backbone and the hook set is great but still sensitive.

I ended up with the 6 footer. It casts a country mile. Im real happy with it. I bought the 6 footer i guess i should mention.

[DukesArcher]

I used to fly-fish. Alot.

Until my ex sold all my gear!

Don't have the heart go back into a store and shell out all that money again. And when I say all my gear, I mean ALL my gear. Everything.


I just want to get out the house and catch fish, whether it's by spinning, bait, or fly and casting bubble.

So I think I'll go for a light to medium light. Get a few spinners, floats, and some flies.

[Anomaly85]

Originally Posted by RavYak

I use a fenwick eagle 4 piece 7' ML MF. Light enough you can throw any lure and strong enough you can land a 30 in fish.

I like this rod because it breaks down great for hiking into spots and can catch all trout in AB.

Have the same rod for trout, would definitely recommend. 4 Piece is nice as well because it fits in backpack nicely for hiking or luggage in case you're flying somewhere

[ETOWNCANUCK]

I have a Shimano Crucial paired with a Shimano Stradic 2500 CI4 + spooled with 6 lb fluorocarbon.

[ETOWNCANUCK]

Originally Posted by DukesArcher

I used to fly-fish. Alot.

Until my ex sold all my gear!

Don't have the heart go back into a store and shell out all that money again. And when I say all my gear, I mean ALL my gear. Everything.


I just want to get out the house and catch fish, whether it's by spinning, bait, or fly and casting bubble.

So I think I'll go for a light to medium light. Get a few spinners, floats, and some flies.

Why let what she did dampen what you do next?

I'm guessing she spent the money on something stupid for herself,

Why can't you spend the good money on your self again?

[gopher67]

i use light to ultra light rod and a plugger reel with 4 lb. test caught 8 lb. rainbows with it

[DukesArcher]

Originally Posted by ETOWNCANUCK

Why let what she did dampen what you do next?

I'm guessing she spent the money on something stupid for herself,

Why can't you spend the good money on your self again?

It was over 2k worth of fly-fishing gear. That's in British pounds. I'd have to get a much cheaper gear now.

[DukesArcher]

Went out and got the Fenwick eagle and a Pflueger reel

[Squidlips]

Originally Posted by DukesArcher

Went out and got the Fenwick eagle and a Pflueger reel

That's the same set up I was going to buy , but they didn't have the Fenwick in the size I wanted Saved me some money though!


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[Squidlips]

snagged a limited edition too!!


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[DukesArcher]

I use a leader for spinning, or just the main line straight to the lure. Obvs with fly fishing I use a tippet, but not sure about spinning.

[EZM]

Originally Posted by Squidlips

snagged a limited edition too!!


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Those look great ........ except you put the handles on the wrong side !!!!

[neilsledder]

Originally Posted by EZM

Those look great ........ except you put the handles on the wrong side !!!!

Agreed lol. I am right handed as are most people and find it weird to reel with my right. Went sturgeon fishing and the guide had the rod set up to reel with the right, I had a tough time to reel sturgeon in.


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[Squidlips]

Originally Posted by EZM

Those look great ........ except you put the handles on the wrong side !!!!

Can't stand it the other way hehe


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