Steelhead fishing is basically trout fishing times 10. The steelhead is a sea-run rainbow trout. They are big powerful fighters, but somewhat cautious at the same time. Make sure you use a fishing line that is both strong, and stealth.
Quick Look
- 8-15 lb. Test
- Best: Fluorocarbon
- Good: Monofilament
- Also Good: 15-30 lb. Test Braid
- Leader: 8-10 lb. Test Fluorocarbon
Fluorocarbon Fishing Line For Steelhead
Fluorocarbon is one of the best fishing lines for targeting steelhead. It becomes almost invisible underwater. This is important when targeting cautious steelhead in clear water.
During the summer steelhead run, rivers can be crystal clear. There are also a lot of anglers out fishing in the nice weather. This means that you are best off trying to stay stealth. Stay low, and use fluorocarbon line so the fish can’t detect you.
Fluorocarbon fishing line is less important during the winter run. The waters are usually high and off color so you can do well with a monofilament or braid.
What lb. Test Fishing Line For Steelhead?
If you are fishing clean, clear water, use a lighter 8 lb. test fishing line. If the water is a little off color, then go with a heavier 10 lb. test line.
In extreme conditions where the water is clear, and the fish are highly pressured, you could go all the way down to 6 lb. test.
The problem with using lighter lines, is that you have to play the fish for longer in order to get it tired out. This can potentially kill the fish, so if you are fishing in an area with native fish that must be released, then use at least 8 lb. test.
What Leader Material For Steelhead?
For Summer steelhead in clear waters use 8 lb. test fluorocarbon leaders. If you are fishing for winter steelhead in colored water, then 10 lb. test Maxima Ultragreen is the best leader material.
Is Monofilament Good For Catching Steelhead?
Monofilament fishing line is great for catching steelhead. It isn’t as invisible as fluorocarbon, but it is cheaper and serves it’s purpose. However, it isn’t the best option for summer steelhead.
If you are fishing for winter steelhead, then you will do just fine with mono. Try to choose a mono than blends in well with the water you are fishing.
Maxima Ultragreen is a favorite amongst winter steelhead anglers.
However, if you are going after summer steelhead, then I recommend using fluorocarbon fishing line. Or at least a fluorocarbon leader. In the summer months, the water is usually really clear. Fluorocarbon is very difficult for fish to see underwater, and so it is the best option for clear water conditions.
Is Braid Good For Catching Steelhead?
Braid is the best fishing line to use when bobber fishing for steelhead. Braid has three important qualities for float fishing. It floats, it doesn’t have any memory, and it has zero stretch.
The fact that braid floats is important for bobber fishing steelhead because you need to mend your line often as it floats down the river. This is much easier to do with a line that floats rather than one that gets sucked under with the current.
The fact that braid has no memory means that you won’t have curls in your line when you cast out. This means that you will have more direct contact with your float when it comes time to set the hook.
The zero stretch of braid helps when bobber fishing because you need to have a lot of power to the hook in order to get a good hookset. If you have a long cast out across current, and a belly in your line, and a big bobber, your hookset has to pull through all these factors before you get solid contact with your hook. A stretchy line like monofilament will further decrease that direct contact.
