Fishing for steelhead in rivers is a popular pastime for many anglers. However, catching these elusive fish requires specialized gear. This article will delve into the essential gear you need for river steelhead fishing.

Table of Contents

The Right Fishing Rod

Arguably the most crucial piece of gear, the fishing rod must be fit for purpose. A steelhead rod should be approximately 8-10 feet long for optimal casting distance and control in river currents. Graphite rods are a favorite for their balance of flexibility and strength, perfect for handling the steelhead’s notorious fights. Brands like G. Loomis, Lamiglas, and Okuma have excellent reputations among steelhead anglers.

We Suggest: 

  • Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod – Known for its durability, sensitivity, and affordability, the Ugly Stik Elite line is often a go-to choice for many anglers. Its clear tip design enhances responsiveness for better bite detection.
  • Okuma Cedros CJ-S-601M Medium Heavy Spinning Rod – Okuma is renowned for its fishing gear, and this rod is no exception. It’s built for tough fish like salmon and steelhead, with a strong backbone and fast action tip.
  • G. Loomis E6X Steelhead Spinning Rod – This rod is a more premium choice. G. Loomis is recognized for their quality, and this model features a sensitive tip with a strong backbone, perfect for detecting subtle bites and battling steelhead.
  • Lamiglas X-11 Cork – Salmon & Steelhead Fishing Rod – Lamiglas is a popular brand among steelhead anglers. The X-11 series offers excellent performance at a reasonable price point. It’s durable, sensitive, and comes with a comfortable cork handle.
  • Fenwick HMX Salmon/Steelhead Spinning Fishing Rod – Fenwick’s HMX series is well-reviewed for its strength and sensitivity. Crafted from carbon bound blanks intertwined with fiberglass, this rod offers an excellent balance between power and sensitivity.

Reliable Fishing Reel

Coupled with your rod, a good quality reel is essential. Most anglers prefer a spinning reel for steelhead fishing due to its versatility and ease of use. Look for a reel with a robust drag system to handle the steelhead’s powerful runs. 

Here are some awesome choices

  • Shimano Stradic CI4FB Spinning Reel – Many anglers favor this reel due to its strong and lightweight construction, thanks to Shimano’s CI4+ material. It also features the latest technology like Hagane gear and X-Ship for smooth and powerful operation.
  • Penn Battle II Spinning Reel – Known for its durability and excellent value for money, the Penn Battle II reel features a full metal body and HT-100 carbon fiber drag system, ensuring a smooth and reliable performance even during long battles.
  • Abu Garcia Revo SX Low Profile Baitcasting Reel – The Revo SX from Abu Garcia is a popular choice for those who prefer a casting reel. It features a high line capacity and a strong drag system, making it suitable for battling salmon and steelhead.
  • Okuma Cedros High Speed Spinning Reel – The Okuma Cedros is designed with heavy-duty saltwater fishing in mind, making it a good choice for salmon fishing. It has a high-speed gear ratio and a robust dual force drag system.
  • Pflueger President Spinning Reel – The Pflueger President reel offers a great balance between price and performance. It features a 10-bearing system and a durable construction, ensuring a smooth performance when fishing for salmon or steelhead.

Fishing Line & Leader Material

When fishing for steelhead in rivers, the right line and leader material can make a significant difference. A monofilament or fluorocarbon line of 8-12 lb test suits most situations. Fluorocarbon leaders are often used for their near invisibility in water, improving your chances of a bite.

Lines we’ve used:

Steelhead Lures & Bait

Your choice of lure or bait can often dictate your success on the river. Drift fishing with spinners, spoons, or jigs can be highly effective. Soft beads or roe mimic a salmon egg, a steelhead’s favorite meal. Be sure to have a variety of colors and sizes to match the day’s conditions.

  • Berkley PowerBait Power Eggs Floating Soft Fishing Bait – Berkley’s PowerBait line is popular with anglers, and these floating eggs are great for attracting steelhead.
  • Atlas Mike’s Night Crawler Salmon Eggs – While not entirely a soft plastic, these imitation salmon eggs have a soft texture that salmon and steelhead find irresistible.
  • Yakima Bait Lil’ Corky Cluster – This soft bait cluster is popular for drift fishing for steelhead and salmon.
  • Mad River Steelhead Worms – These soft plastic worms are great for targeting steelhead in a variety of water conditions.
  • Berkley PowerBait FW Steelhead Worm Fishing Bait – Another popular option for steelhead, these worms come in various colors to attract attention in the water.
  • Brad’s Killer Fishing Gear Steelhead & Trout Egg Clusters – These soft baits mimic the look and feel of egg clusters, which are a favorite food of salmon and steelhead.
  • Mimilure Beads Eggs Lures – These soft plastic beads are great for imitating salmon eggs, a major food source for both salmon and steelhead.
  • BnR Tackle Soft Beads – BnR Tackle offers a variety of soft bead colors and sizes to match various fishing conditions.
  • Berkley PowerBait Magnum Floating Power Eggs – The Magnum size of Berkley’s Power Eggs can be an effective choice when fishing for larger steelhead and salmon.
  • X-Factor Tackle Miracle Worm – The X-Factor Miracle Worm is designed specifically for steelhead and salmon fishing and has been well-reviewed for its effectiveness.
  • Acme Kastmaster Lure– The Kastmaster is a spoon-style lure known for its versatility and casting distance. Its unique shape and balance create a wild action without line twisting, which can provoke bites from various species, including salmon and steelhead.
  • Luhr-Jensen Kwikfish K16-This is a wide-profile plug typically used for trolling in deeper waters. The Kwikfish is effective for larger species like salmon due to its aggressive, high-vibration action.
  • Blue Fox Vibrax Spinner– The Vibrax Spinner is a classic for freshwater fishing. Its two-part body design sends out sonic vibrations that attract fish, while the spinning blade creates enticing visual appeal. It’s an excellent choice for covering water quickly to locate fish.
  • Yakima Bait Worden’s Original Rooster Tail Spinner Lure– This lure combines an attractive spinning action with a colorful, pulsating hackle tail to draw fish. It’s effective on a wide range of species and is a favorite among steelhead anglers.
  • Mepps Aglia Spinner– Known for its classic French blade, the Mepps Aglia spinner provides continuous vibration and flash that fish can’t resist. It’s available in a wide range of sizes and colors, making it adaptable to various fishing situations.
  • Rapala Original Floater Fishing Lure– This lure is designed to mimic the action of a wounded baitfish, which is irresistible to predatory fish like salmon and steelhead. Its neutral buoyancy allows it to be fished at a variety of depths with different retrieve speeds.
  • Rapala X-Rap Magnum Fishing Lure– The X-Rap Magnum is designed for big water, deep trolling. Its large diving lip helps get the lure down quickly to where the big fish are, and its robust design can withstand aggressive strikes from large salmon.
  • Luhr-Jensen Coyote Spoon– This high-action spoon lure is popular for saltwater trolling. Its erratic, side-to-side action and flashy colors attract bites from salmon, while its durable construction holds up to strong fights.
  • Brad’s Super Bait Cut Plug– This lure is designed to hold bait or scent and creates a rolling action that mimics a wounded baitfish. It’s extremely effective when back-trolled or trolled slowly, often used with a scent or bait in the chamber for salmon fishing.
  • Yakima Bait Flatfish Lure– The Flatfish is a wide-bodied plug designed to create a wide, wandering action in the water. It’s an effective option for slower, methodical presentations, particularly in cooler water when fish may be less aggressive.

Miscellaneous Gear

Don’t forget the smaller items that can make a big difference. Polarized sunglasses will protect your eyes and help you see into the water. Needle nose pliers or hemostats are essential for removing hooks, and a net can help you land your catch without harm. Last but not least, always bring a fishing license where required.

In conclusion, ensure you are well-equipped with the right gear when planning for your next steelhead fishing adventure. It’s not just about the rod and reel, but also the smaller details like the right line, suitable lure, quality waders, and practical fishing pack. Remember these essentials, and you’ll have a much better chance of reeling in that trophy steelhead.

Happy fishing!