Pike / Salmon / Steelhead rod

Hello,

I am looking to get a new rod that will be set up to target larger pike. Also want to use the same rod for Milwaukee river Steelhead.

Can’t decide between Fenwick, Penn, or St. Croix.

Anyone else use the same rod for both species?

Any pursuation, comments, feedback, opinions are appreciated.

Cheers,

Johnny

For trout / salmon
Spinning or casting?
River or harbor?
I’ve been fishing all the tribs since late 70s, as well as power plants and harbors. Used everything from a 5′ uglystick ultralight to 12wt flyrods. If your looking to drift bait or hairjigs, your drift line is everything. Longer is better because you can esy move the tip to control exactly where you drift through a run. My absolute favorite for fishing tributaries is 10′ med light, fast Or A 9′ 9wt flyrod blank built as a spinning rod. Thu don’t double as good pike rods since your generally have very different presentations.

Some guys pee themselves when they think about using a rod over 7′. Any 7′ medium action rod that handles smaller pike lures will do for trout. If your looking to jig the harbor or open lake, I use 9′ mediums for maximum casting distance

Thanks Randy! I would use spinning. I grew up in Bay View (Mke southeast side) but never got into fishing until I married a woman from the north woods. I reside in Madison and primarily fish Vilas and Oneida, but occasionally come back to Mke to visit mom and friends. I do have a 9’ 6 wt fly set up, but don’t think it could handle Steelhead, but it’d be fun to try. I would most likely drift bait for Steelhead or cast spinners.

Cheers,
Johnny

I use a 9 1/2′ M with an extra fast tip and a Pflueger 6740 reel for Steelhead….
1 of my MH 9′ Flathead rod for Salmon off the piers…

I got a 18# on a 4wt flyrod in pukes creek. I’m sure a 6wt will work fine. I run a 9wt because it doubles for chinooks