steelhead

[mickey]

How strong of an ice fishing rod does one need for steelhead? I have some fairly stiff walleye rods but is this good enough? Thanks.

[Shoeman]

A walleye jigging rod will do just fine. I use rods, that I salvaged (broken) ultra light spinning rods, cut down to 2-3ft. Those are matched to open face reels. I don't think the rod makes a big difference, as long as you have a good drag on your reel. Use the stiffer rods for jigging and the softer ones for bait.

Merry Christmas, the Shoeman

[Matt Schalk]

I use 5 foot one-piece or 5 1/2 foot two piece medium-lite spinning rods for steelies through the ice in Slammer Tip-Ups. I used to use my old 9 foot surf and river rods set in rod holders as "dead rods". Some guys still use conventional stick tip-ups for steelies, but you are asking for a handful. You are apt to lose more fish on a stiffer shorter "walleye" ice-fishing rod or by hand-lining than with something more forgiving. Longer 9-11 foot "noodle rods" are great for fighting steelhead but a little impractical for on the ice - hard to get to the hole to grab your fish.