Steelhead Fishing Gear
Learning how to steelhead fish can be a great and challenging endeavor. This passion presents an array of obstacles. From obtaining the correct fishing gear to learning how to present correct bait. This learning curve can be frustrating and can discourage an individual from pursuing their goal. And can prevent them from being successful on the stream. To minimize this frustration, I have compiled a gear list that will eliminate the research and time spent looking for the right gear. I have already done the work for you, this is the steelhead fishing gear that will 100% get you started in catching fish.
Chest Waders
Chest waders are a critical component of steelhead fishing gear. Many people will argue that hip waders are sufficient, and I would agree, pending on the time of year. Steelhead run in the late fall, in winter months. During this time frame, the water level will increase with the amount of rain and snow that is expected. This increasing water depth will make fishing deeper holes more challenging. And with hip waders, entering the correct depth to present bait will prove impossible.
That is why I am a fan of chest waders. They generally come with a neoprene option, and this will help you stay warm as the water temperatures decrease in winter. By using chest waders, one will be able to locate steelhead even in the deepest of waters, and you will not be limited to knee deep water. The brand of waders that I prefer are the Hodgman Neoprene Cleated Chest Waders. These boots are cheap and hold up great in the water and walking to spots to fish. They come in at roughly $100. So, at that price they do not break the bank.
Fishing Rod and Reel
I am going to break the Steelhead Fishing Gear fishing rod category up into 2 sections depending on the goal of the fisherman; Spin Fishing and Fly Fishing. Both set ups are great options for steelhead fishing gear and I have been successful using each.
Spin Fishing:
Using a spinning rod is a fantastic way to harvest steelhead. The rod provides enough backbone when reeling in these 10-pound creatures, and they have great flexibility for fighting your catch. The only down fall from this set up is that the angler needs to reel in every cast and repeat the process. When drifting in the creek this can become tiresome, but that is no the be all end all this set-up. Many anglers prefer spin fishing for them and that is fine. It is 100% up to the individual.
For the proper set-up one needs a long rod. I suggest at least a 9’6” rod. This will extend the tip of the rod into the water further. This will enable the fisherman to stand further back into the water. Second advantage of a longer rod is that it has more flexibility at the tip. This will increase the distance that it can be casted and will be easier to feel a fish striking your bait. For my steelhead fishing gear rod setup, I would recommend an Okuma Celilo Graphite Salmon/Steelhead Spinning Rod.
This rod has great flexibility and backbone, and it will hold up to whatever the steelhead can throw at you. For the reel I would use a Penn Battle II Spinning Fishing Reel. These reels have a great drag system and are not torn up by the fighting of the steelhead. Cheaper reels tend to be weaker and will burn out with many steelhead catches.
Fly Fishing:
Fly fishing is my preferred method of targeting steelhead. This is due to the elimination of having to cast and reel in after every drift. Steelhead generally fight harder when on a fly rod because the drag is not as present as it is on a spinning reel. Therefore, if you are looking for a harder challenge, grab yourself a steelhead fly rod and head into the creek.
The set-up that I prefer while fly fishing is that of a Temple Fork NXT Fly Fishing Combo with an 8/9 wt. option. The weight of the fly rod will signify the amount of flex that the rod has. The higher the wt. the stiffer the rod is. If an angler uses a less stiff rod, in the 5 to 7 wt. range they will have difficulty reeling in the steelhead. For optimal fighting and catching rates, use a rod that is in the 8 to 10 wt. range.
Lures:
Once again, I am going to break this category into spin fishing and fly-fishing sections just because the bait varies between the two.
Spin Fishing: The best bait by far for spin fishing is live bait. Whether this be an egg sack, skein, or minnows, many steelhead have been fooled by these baits. Steelhead can also be caught on spoons, flies and power bait when being fished from a spinning rod. I have attached a link to one of my favorite steelhead fishing gear spoons that I use when spin fishing steelhead.
Fly-Fishing: Fly fishing provides more of a selection when talking about artificial bait. To save time and not break down ever individual fly that they can be caught on I am going to provide a grouping of flies and a link to purchase certain flies within the category.
Egg pattern flies are by far my favorite to use. The steelhead really seem to respond to these patterns the most, but each category can be used to remarkable success while fishing. Get out and get a vast array of these categories and colors because you never know what color they will bite on for that day.
Net
A net can be a very useful tool when trying to land one of these massive beasts. It not only aides the angler in harvesting fish, but it can also save the fish’ life and prevent it from being kicked onto shore. This can be detrimental to the survival of the animal. Netting a fish is by far the easiest and safest ways to prolong the lives of these fish.
I prefer to use a net that has rubber or softer netting material. This prevents the fish from losing its “slime” which is a covering that protects the fish from bacteria and other microorganisms. If this is rubbed off it can make the fish more susceptible to becoming ill. I would suggest the SF Fly Fishing Landing Net. This net has rubber mesh and is the perfect candidate to not only net your fish, but also provide the angler with the ability to release the catch unharmed if so wished.
Polarized Glasses
Polarized glasses are not a “must have” item when learning to steelhead fish but it is a 100% useful component of your steelhead fishing gear list. This tool may sound unneeded, but I can assure you that you will be relieved that you have them. Polarized glasses take the reflection from the sun off the water and eliminates the glare. This is particularly useful when targeting steelhead. You will be able to see where the fish are laying, and this will increase your catch numbers. Trying to figure out where the steelhead are laying in the creek bottom is half of the challenge and these glasses give you a leg up on the fish. You don’t need to buy $200 Oakley’s to see the fish. I use a pair of Strike King Polarized Sunglasses and they work just as well as any of the competitors.
Fishing Line
If I had to select the number 1 component that can make or break your success while fishing steelhead it is that of the line that is used. There is a mindset that needs to be broken when it comes to fishing larger fish, and that is “you must use heavy line to catch bug fish”. This mindset could not be any further from the truth. I have landed many fish on 6X fishing line, which equates to roughly 3-pound test.
Fish can see fishing line, even when it is in the water. And if you are ever unfortunate enough to have a fish swim at your bait and turn at the last second, you have experienced them seeing your line. Steelhead are constantly being casted at when spawning, and they can become tight lipped. And that is because everyone is throwing 10 to 20 lb line at them. The can see the line and they learn not to hit it. Throw on some 4 lb test line, and let the catching commence. Remember not to horse the fish or they will snap it, but if you fight them properly 4lb test will catch 95% of the fish hooked. I prefer to use fluorocarbon. It is better quality line and does help in vanishing in the water.
Well there it is, a list of all the essential steelhead fishing gear needed to start fishing steelhead. Try different combinations of flies, lures, bait and line to see what works best for you. I have fished steelhead for over 20 years and this is the information that makes me successful when fishing for them and I know it will work for you too. To learn more about Salmon Fishing Click Here.
