Gear Review. deadly, rhythmical truffleshuffle,

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1 Gear Review eric martin photo Steelhead Plug Rods As popular runs become heavily pressured, many anglers have gone back to running plugs and are being handsomely rewarded. By eric martin 46 An unseasonably cold arctic blast had pushed into the region, sending air temperatures plummeting, leaving what little water there was in the river grasping for its free-flowing life. For nearly a week straight, what little precipitation had fallen lay in a pristine white blanket over Oregon s Willamette Valley. Damn this snow! my friend Tyler exclaimed, pushing my boat from the ramp. The river should be twice this flow! Yeah, but we re the only ones here! I replied. That s because all the smart people stayed home, where it s warm, he piped back. Touché. We didn t even bother rigging the side drifting and drift fishing rods. Fighting with frozen spools, icy guides, and numb fingers sounded miserable. Besides, the river was gin clear and with water temps as low as they were, you would have to hit a fish on the nose to draw a bite. Fortunately, we had another trick up our sleeves. Entering into the first run, the plug rods were deployed. Their distance below the boat signaled by hot pink bobber stops glued to the mainline, contrasted sharply against the sterile, white horizon. No sooner than the U20 Flat- Fish had begun dancing their deadly, rhythmical truffleshuffle, when the right rod bounced from a solid smack. Come back! I yelled, holding the boat in place, taunting a round two from the unseen attacker. Probably a cutthroa Tyler started to exclaim, when suddenly the rod started bucking wildly, straining against the rod holder as a 12-pound cutthroat back-flipped out continued on page 49

2 G. Loomis str980-1 c 8 feet 2 inches 8-15 pound test line, 1/4-5/8 oz. lure weights / extra fast, mag medium HHHH+ sensitivity HHHH+ Construction HHHH+ warranty overall value HHHH+ msrp $300 Wright & McGill hot shot wmeschs79c1 7 feet 9 inches 8-17 pound test line, 3/8-2 oz. lure weights / medium fast, medium HHHH+ sensitivity HHHH Construction HHHH warranty overall value msrp $99 When it comes to plug fishing, and rods designed with that sole function in mind, few manufacturers have a history like G. Loomis. While venerable classics such as the HSR9000 will remain as the plug rod to many, a look at the relatively new STR steelhead series of rods will show there is a new kid on the plug rod block. The STR980-1 C exudes the quality, design and performance synonymous with the G. Loomis title. The extra fast works to provide just the right blend of flex and resistance needed to make even the smallest of plugs wiggle and dance, while retaining plenty of to control large, ful fish. Sensitivity was very good, and allowed for easy reading of the of plugs ranging from size 40 Hot Shots to U20 FlatFish. Overall quality of construction was very good, and the limited lifetime warranty brings peace of mind. gloomis.com Wright & McGill has created a whole new line of rods specifically with salmon and steelhead in mind. Slated for release around February 2011, Salmon & Steelhead Journal got a sneak peak of the Hot Shot, and found its attributes quite impressive. The S-curve blank construction is super lightweight, loaded with, and possesses great and sensitivity. One of several stand out features, is a new design in handle construction featuring durable molded rubber that provides both cushion and grip, while remaining extremely durable to the marring grasp rod holders. A triangular foregrip and special palm swell rear grip fit well in hand. The one of a kind Stormy Skies paint scheme provides great contrast and allows for easy detection of subtle tip movements. Priced under a hundred bucks and packing a lifetime warranty, makes outfitting the whole boat easy on the wallet. wright-mcgill.com NF Composites SSp 767-1(HM) 7 feet 6 inches 6-12 pound test line, 1/4 to 1/2 oz. lure weights / extra fast, mag light sensitivity Construction warranty overall value msrp $199** Rogue Rods hs795c 7 feet 9 inches 8-17 pound test line, 1/4-2 oz. lure weights / fast, medium HHHH sensitivity HHHH Construction warranty overall value HHHH+ msrp $229 The SSP767-1(HM) is but one of roughly a dozen models developed by Gary Loomis and the crew at North Fork Composites, with a dedicated and specific design for life of pulling plugs. Deceptively diminutive in appearance, the little 767 is jam packed with performance. The raw, unfinished Next HM graphite allows the blank to come to life with impressive response time, amazing sensitivity and perfect. Light as a feather, with plenty of contained through the butt section, this blank is a winner. Each day of the review, I enlisted the help of a different front seat rod tender to assist with rotating rods and plugs, as well as providing feedback on rod performance. Though all were from varying backgrounds in plug fishing for steelhead, each concluded that top honors went to the NFC SSP northforkcomposites.com The HS795C, by Rogue Rods, provided solid performance over the course of the review under a range of plug sizes and water conditions. In fact, the first day out found the river rising quickly and littered with leaves which constantly fouled plugs. Detection of such debris was easy with the sensitive tip, and just as we were about to concede victory to the swollen river, back to back beefy coho provided us a chance to test the of the 795C, which easily handled the fish in faster water. Well built with quality components, subtle thread wraps and perfectly applied epoxy, all for a very respectable price, especially considering it carries a limited lifetime warranty. The HS795C is a great all around steelhead plug rod. roguerods.com Editor s Note **Denotes price of blank. North Fork Composites produces American made blanks for custom rod builders and OEM markets. See NFC s website for information on availability, retailers and custom rod builders. Salmon & Steelhead Journal Winter

3 Cabelas gst865 8 feet 6 inches 8-17 pound test line, 1/2-1 1/2 oz. lure weights / moderate, medium heavy HHH+ sensitivity HHH HHHH+ Construction HHHH warranty overall value HHHH msrp $79 Lamiglas g1330-t hot shot magnum 8 feet pound test line, 3/8-2 oz. lure weights / extra fast, medium mag sensitivity HHHH+ Construction HHHH+ warranty overall value HHHH+ msrp $260 The Cabelas Fish Eagle II is a great option for those just getting into the plug game and desire a solid rod, without a hefty price tag. The moderate CX2 high modulus graphite blank provides good sensitivity with most mid to large size steelhead plugs. The moderate, though slower than what I personally prefer, is still a great on a plug rod that will load up as a fish strikes and then turns with the plug. I really like the change to the reel seat, which exposes a large section of the blank, and increases in hand sensitivity should the rod be used for applications such as drift fishing. Other key features are the Mag Touch down-locking reel seat which is incorporated into the foregrip, and a two piece construction which allows easy storage and transport. Frequently on sale for less than $50, the Fish Eagle II is a great deal! cabelas.com Sporting a fresh new look, the G1000 series rods by Lamiglas are proving they re more than just a pretty rod. The Hot Shot Magnum, as its name implies, was born a plugger. It sports a dramatic, magnum taper, which stores tons of, while focusing and magnifying even the slightest vibrations onto its super sensitive tip. The was superb, loaded very uniformly, and carried the vibrations of all sizes of plugs well. The new cranberry colored finish contrasted nicely, even under dreary overcast conditions, and made for great visibility of the tip, easing eyestrain. Targeting hatchery fish with a diver and bait set-up? The G1330 performs flawlessly. Want a rod that will double as a great backbouncer? It ll handle that too. Another great rod from the crew at Lamiglas! lamiglas.com 48

4 continued from page 46 An Alsea River test subject. of the water 50 feet below the boat. Man, I love a plug bite! Tyler shouted. I couldn t agree more. The effectiveness of a wellpresented plug on drawing savage grabs from steelhead under a variety of conditions is undeniable, but the exact reason why steelhead strike plugs is unknown. Likely involving factors such as territorial aggression, the irritating combinations of rattle, flash and vibration, and a pinch of plain old curiosity, it all boils down to an all-out hatred for the small wiggling pieces of plastic. Once the most popular method to put a few fish in the box, plug fishing or plugging, has slowly gone by the wayside, relinquishing its crown to more hands on techniques such as side drifting and jig fishing. However, in recent years, as popular runs have become congested and heavily pressured with anglers utilizing these other methods, many have gone back to running plugs in water overlooked by the masses, and are being handsomely rewarded. This resurgence of interest in plugging couldn t have come at a better time, as many manufacturers are currently churning out some of the best plug rods ever produced. It always amazes me when I read on an online message board, or hear someone say, It doesn t matter what rod you use for plugging. Why spend a lot of money on a rod that just sits in a rod holder? What? Have these people ever plugged before? Allow me to rephrase that. Have these people ever successfully plugged before? Chances are, those who utter such sentiments have at one time or another plopped some old clunkity hunk of a rod into the holder, ran a plug through a run or two with nothing to show for it, and wrote off the entire experience as the ineffectiveness and fault of the plug. I liken it to arguing a bowling ball could be used in a basketball game, but then placing the blame of a low score on the players shoes. Reality is, the plug rod is actually the foundation block that the entire technique should center around. No other aspect plug selection, color, hook configuration, line, reels will have as profound a correlation to success as the utilization of high quality rods designed and constructed for the sole purpose of running plugs. Plug fishing can been described as fishing blind. You are not relying on the sense of touch to determine subtle bite from the bump of the bottom. No thump of a wobbling spoon or spinner. No visual indicators such as a float suddenly disappearing beneath the surface, signaling a bite. Instead, the only cue the boat operator has is what s being transmitted up the line and expressed through the of the rod tip. Are the plugs working too fast or too slow? Are the hooks fouled? Are they working close to the bottom? Are they snagged on the bottom? An experienced plugger with quality rods can determine all this information by reading the Morse code of rattles and taps being given off by even the smallest of plugs, and received on the rod tips. Need a few more reasons to add a few plug rods to your starting line-up? Consider this. The same qualities found in a premium plug rod, are perfectly suited for use as a smaller water drift fishing rod. Taking multi-functionality a step further, steelhead plug rods can also make excellent light back-bouncers for coho and springers on small rivers. There are several key factors that help comprise a quality plug rod. Here is a brief overview of what to look for. Action Basically a measurement of how much, and location along the rod blank, the deflection (bend) a rod expresses when placed under a load. For plugging purposes, most will agree that in the world of graphite composites, fast or extra fast s are the way to go. These s will only exhibit flex within the first one-eighth to quarter of the rod s under normal load. Advantages in a plugging scenario, is the resulting focus of all movement, wiggle and vibration of the plug to a very limited area of the rod, making it both easier to see what is happening with the plug, while limiting the amount of vibration which would be absorbed throughout a rods by a softer. Some feel a fast can also help to solidly hook fish eric martin photo by providing just enough give to allow the fish to turn after striking, and then remaining rigid enough to drive those hooks home. Fast s also aid the full range of motion and of a plug by providing enough resistance to make the plug dive and work. Too soft a rod can counter act the of the plug and seriously hamper its irritating dance. Sensitivity There is no for sensitivity when picking out a rod, aside from maybe a mention of the modulus of the material used in construction. I ll only touch briefly on modulus, as it can be a y topic in and of itself. Basically, the higher the modulus, the stiffer a particular blank may be, while requiring less overall material in its construction. Generally, stiffer, lighter rods are going to produce better sensitivity than those heavier, with more flex. Sensitivity, coupled with the, is crucial to differentiating the erratic wobble of a fouled plug from the rhythmical rattle of one that is running straight and true. Do not confuse sensitivity with, as there are plenty of rods carrying an extra fast, but are clunky and dull in sensitivity. There are a few details a person can look for when selecting a rod, which play a role in the overall sensitivity. The number and spacing of guides, single foot guides with lightweight ring inserts, small, compact thread wraps, thin coats of epoxy, and even finish, or lack thereof, on the blank itself can enhance sensitivity as well as. Taper The taper of a rod is an offshoot of the designer s plan for a particular, and is continued on page 51 Salmon & Steelhead Journal Winter

5 St. Croix avc80mxf 8 feet pound test line, 3/8-3 oz. lure weights / extra fast, medium HHHH sensitivity HHH+ Construction HHHH+ warranty overall value HHHH msrp $230 Berkley a92-8mt 8 feet 8-17 pound test line, 3/8-1 oz. lure weights / fast, medium HHHH sensitivity HHHH Construction HHHH warranty HHH overall value HHHH msrp $99 If you are searching for a ful rod, capable of taking on large, wild steelhead in gnarly big water, look no further than the St. Croix 80MXF from the Avid series of rods. Built from high modulus SCIII graphite, this is one hell for stout plug stick that won t back down from a fight. It struggled a bit in performance when matched up with smaller plugs in the review, but run the 80MXF down a faster run, with slightly larger plugs, and its potential is much more evident. It may be a tad overkill on typical cookie cutter hatchery steelhead, but would be a great fit for those who prefer to run large plugs, and may also be looking for a rod that could serve double duty as a salmon plug rod or backbouncer. True to St. Croix s reputation, construction of the rod is top notch, materials are of great quality, and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. stcroixrods.com It s no secret that Buzz Ramsey knows a thing or two about plug fishing. In fact, he once held an IGFA line class record for nine years with a 30lb. 5oz. monster of a steelhead that couldn t resist the wiggle of his size 30 Hot Shot. Teaming up with Berkley, Buzz helped design a line of rods that are high quality, effective and functional, while remaining budget friendly. The Air IM8 Buzz Ramsey A92-8MT steelhead plug rod is built off a blank of IM8 Advanced Modulus Graphite, to which special titanium coated guides are attached following a concept guide spacing design that allows maximum sensitivity and from the rod, while enabling it to remain very strong. It performed incredibly well during the review with a range of different plugs, and carries a price tag of less than a hundred bucks. The only change I would make would be a switch to single foot guides along the tip of the rod, and a warranty period greater than the current of one year. berkley-fishing.com 50

6 continued from page 49 the overall change in diameter from butt to tip. On plug rods, to achieve fast and extra fast s, typically a rod will exhibit a very aggressive taper, sometimes referred to as a magnum taper. Think in terms of swinging a baseball bat, and swinging a golf club. The baseball bat will have little to no noticeable flex, whereas the golf club has a moderate amount of flex. Taper plays a role in both the and of a rod. Power Power s are something you will have to custom select for your particular fisheries. Sometimes rated by a number scale, line test, or designations such as light, medium, medium-heavy, etc., the of a good plug rod should fall into the medium- to medium-heavy category. On smaller rivers, or those dominated by hatchery produced runs of smaller, 8 to 10-pound fish, a medium rod in the 8 to 12-pound line class will provide ample fish controllability, while making for a fun fight. If fishing bigger, more technical water, or on river systems later into the wild run return timings, look to beefed up s of mediumheavy or even heavy. This extra oomph will keep you in control of larger, stronger fish, and limit the duration of the fight, important to reduce the amount of stress being placed upon a fish destined for release. Length A final feature of a quality plug rod is its overall, and number of sections. Generally, most steelhead plug rods will fall in the 7-foot, 9-inch to 8-foot, 6-inch range. These shorter rods help to express even the slightest vibrations from the smallest plugs, without excess absorbing the subtle of the plug. Rods of this aid in maneuverability, as often steelhead plugging requires the rower to place the boat as close to the shoreline as possible, often in the path of graphite grabbing tree limbs and brush. Short rods are easier to manage in the boat, both in limb avoidance, as well as fighting and landing of fish, especially in the confines of a drift boat. Another commonality shared by many steelhead plug rods is that they are predominately one-piece rods. While making for convenient transport and no lost tip sections, the one piece design allows for increased strength, while the single, continuous composite construction helps to enhance both sensitivity and of the rod by eliminating flat spots found in the area of a ferrule when under a load. Salmon & Steelhead Journal Winter