Lake Trout Rod Help

[Tyler Holm]

I’ll be doing some casting/drifting for Lake Trout up in Two Harbors in a couple weeks. I’m looking at buying a Shimano Symetre 4000 FI (normally $80) and using a buddies rod. I was looking online at Cabela’s and they have this reel in a combo for $99.98 (+ $20 more for a rod). It’s the Tourney Trail Spinning Combo. It’s kinda a no brainer…

I’ve never fished Lake Trout before, so I was hoping somebody could help with rod selection.

I was basically looking at their 2 Steelhead Rods (provided in this combo) and they are as follows:

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Model: SS864

Length: 8'6"

Line Weight:8-12

Pieces: 2

Lure Weight: 3/8-3/4

Power: Medium

Action: Fast

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Model: SS906

Length: 9’

Line Weight:10-12

Pieces: 2

Lure Weight: 1/2 -2

Power: Medium-Heavy

Action: Moderate Fast

I honestly don’t know exactly what we will be throwing at them, but we will be fishing the breakwaters and areas near it both on shore and it a boat. I know depths vary between 75-120+ FOW

PS.. Does 8# Vanish fit the bill?

[DEADhead]

Ty, I'm no laker expert by any means, but know the basics and have managed to catch a few in my day.

The 8# line is a good start, however, I'd run with mono instead of floro line. The Vanish would work well in situations where a leader would be necesary. I prefer the give of mono when fishing trout.

If you will be casting from shore, the longer the rod the better. A long rod with light line will allow for longer casts. I prefer a medium light or medium action. The medium light may be a little under powered for bigger fish, but combined with a extra fast tip provides for some challenging and exciting fights.

For baitcaster setups, I like a medium heavy weight around 6'6". Not too long to be cumbersome, but still long enough to absorb line shock and reach out a little further when casting. The Shimano reel you mentioned should work just fine. You most likely will be pulling some heavy hardware along with that rod, so when you decide on your rod, keep that in mind (anywhere from 5/8 oz spoons, to 5 oz spoons).

Some of the big water guys on this site should hopefully give you better advice than I can.

My preference would be the first rod you mentioned, Model: SS864, because you would still be able to use that rod for fishing steelhead and salmon runs along the north shore.

Good luck Ty!

[Quickstrike]

Hey Ty, come over into the Duluth/Bwca forum and we can help you out. Don't worry, we won't bite.