Northwest Fishing Reports

Got back into fishing last year. Picked up a couple cheap Big 5 combo's at first and realized what a piece of crap they are but they worked to get me back into it. Fished a bunch as a kid back in NH mostly small streams for trout and on the Connecticut river for bass and perch. Picked up a Garcia Mitchell 308 reel really cheap which is almost the same reel I had when I was younger and loved but I need to match a new rod to go with it. I mostly fish now for trout out of a kayak in the smaller lakes around Seattle. What would be a good upgrade to go with my reel?

Are the Ugly sticks worth looking at?

I think the best value is the okuma sst, but I am sure others will chime in.

I like Ugly Stiks, and have fished them side by side with nicer (read: more expensive) graphites for years. I've never broken an Ugly Stik and really appreciate the value they represent. However, it's kind of like saying I like Bayliners--I'm bound to catch some grief!

I needed a little trout rod and went to outdoor emporium and bought a cheap little st croix triumph, great little rod for 80 bucks.

With fishing rods you really get what you pay for an I'll leave it at that. OK so no I won't, with out dropping any names I'll just say if you've never used a nice rod you probably won't miss it and you'll never know the difference. Sorry about that for all the bargain basement crowd, just the way it is. I'd never buy a car without all the options either. I've never said I wish I'd bought the cheaper one. Life is short enjoy your toys.

Yeah, Bodo, I've gotta get my priorities straight: I fish with Ugly Stiks, and the wife drives a Jag!!

I like the sst line as well and the celilos for backups. A lami kokanee rod would work well for trout and aren't that expensive either.

dutchman2858 wrote:Yeah, Bodo, I've gotta get my priorities straight: I fish with Ugly Stiks, and the wife drives a Jag!!

LOL, ya thats screwed up priorties right there, but i cant mock i drive a beat up 10 year old dodge dakota while the wife drives the new f150 .

Set your budget and go get your rod, theyre a few good ones for under 50 bucks and then you just keep going up and up. I really wanted an xrodz trout rod but THE DUDE couldnt be reached. There is nothing wrong with rod i just got but MAN i really wanted a top end little one especially with the pinks coming .

dutchman2858 wrote:Yeah, Bodo, I've gotta get my priorities straight: I fish with Ugly Stiks, and the wife drives a Jag!!

Thats funny right there but you all know happy wife happy fishing life!!!

It's true, Tony, I get to play on the water alot!

I am personally a big fan of penn rods and reels great product great price and great quality

narrows11 wrote:I am personally a big fan of penn rods and reels great product great price and great quality

Never had a rod but love my Penn 321.

It is getting closer to TAX time....sometimes you can find some pretty good deals on nice rods and reels in the next couple of months.

Any St. Croix medium light rod. They had a triumph 7' ml 4-10 at Cabelas marked down to around $60 when I was there a month ago.

What's your budget?

3footvis wrote:Any St. Croix medium light rod. They had a triumph 7' ml 4-10 at Cabelas marked down to around $60 when I was there a month ago.

I think I need to make a trip to Cabelas for sure and look at some up close. My budget is in the $60-100 ange. Thanks for all the suggstions.

I love St. Croix, as well. Sorry, can't think of my rod model number.

Look into Shimano rods, they have a decent line up with your budget. i've had luck with Okuma rods for steelhead and salmon fishing. They have bass/trout rods as well, they also have have rod that has a lifetime warranty rod under 100 bucks. Warranty is something to think about, remember Lifetime is a long time!

I have a ton of trout rods suitable for what you want to do from fiberglass $30 Berkley Power Dough rods to $200 Lamiglas technique specific graphite. My current favorite all around trout rod that is a manageable length for fishing from your kayak would be my Damiki Angel EX. It's a 2 piece 6'6" ML action with an extra-fast tip. I've caught everything from stocker plants to 3lb triploids on it with zero issues. With the extra fast tip it's great with soft mouthed fish too like kokanee or whitefish. it also makes a great finesse/drop shot rod for bass as well. Its about $70-80.

http://damiki.shptron.com/p/angel-ex-sp ... p=12&pp=12" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;