STEELHEAD TECHNIQUES - GEAR
Power: L=Light. ML=Medium Light. M=Medium. MH=Medium Heavy. H=Heavy. Ex=Extra Heavy
Action: M=moderate. F=Fast. EF=Extra Fast
TECHNIQUES
CASTING
-
How to Fish:Casting and spinning for steelhead is a popular technique in rivers and lakes where fish migrate to spawn. Anglers cast lures or bait into likely holding areas and retrieve them at varied speeds to entice a strike.
-
Where to Fish:
-
River mouths, deep pools, and eddies where steelhead rest during their upstream migration.
-
Lakes with stocked or landlocked steelhead populations.
-
Coastal inlets and estuaries where steelhead stage before heading upriver.
-
Gear Needed:
-
Rod: Medium to medium-heavy spinning rod (8-10 feet) with fast action.
-
Reel: Spinning reel in the 2500-4000 size range with a smooth drag system.
-
Line: 8-15 lb test monofilament or braided line with a fluorocarbon leader.
-
Lures & Bait: Spinners (Blue Fox, Mepps), spoons (Little Cleo, Kastmaster), crankbaits, and soft plastics. For bait fishing, use salmon eggs, nightcrawlers, or shrimp.
-
Tips:
-
Adjust retrieval speed based on water temperature and steelhead activity.
-
Target areas with natural cover like submerged logs, rocks, and deep holes.
-
Use a fluorocarbon leader to reduce visibility in clear water.
FLY
-
How to Fish: Fly fishing is a favored method for targeting steelhead in rivers. Anglers present artificial flies to mimic insects, small baitfish, or roe drifting naturally with the current.
-
Where to Fish:
-
Large river systems with strong steelhead runs.
-
Shallow riffles, pools, and undercut banks.
-
Tidal flats where steelhead enter freshwater.
-
Gear Needed:
-
Rod: 7-9 weight fly rod (9-11 feet) for handling strong steelhead.
-
Reel: Large arbor fly reel with a strong drag system.
-
Line: Floating or sink-tip fly line, depending on water depth and current speed.
-
Flies: Egg patterns, streamers (Woolly Bugger, Clouser Minnow), and nymphs (Prince Nymph, Stonefly).
-
Tips:
-
Use a mend in your line to achieve a natural drift.
-
Match fly size and color to water conditions and steelhead behavior.
-
Fish early in the morning or late evening when steelhead are most active.
TROLLING
-
Trolling for Steelhead
-
How to Fish:Trolling is an effective method for covering large areas of water to locate steelhead. Boats pull baited lines or lures at controlled depths to attract feeding fish.
-
Where to Fish:
-
Deep lakes with landlocked steelhead populations.
-
Coastal waters near river mouths and offshore feeding grounds.
-
Fjords and large bays where steelhead congregate before migrating upstream.
-
Gear Needed:
-
Rod: Medium to medium-heavy trolling rod (8-10 feet) with a moderate action.
-
Reel: Conventional or line-counter reel spooled with 10-30 lb test monofilament or braided line.
-
Trolling Rigs: Downriggers, planer boards, or lead-core line to control depth.
-
Lures & Bait: Flashers, dodgers, plugs (Kwikfish, Rapala), hoochies, and spoons (Apex, Silver Horde).
-
Tips:
-
Adjust trolling speed based on steelhead behavior (typically 1.5-2.5 mph).
-
Use attractors like flashers to increase visibility in deep water.
-
Vary lure depth to locate feeding steelhead.
How To Articles