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Best Trolling Rods for Steelhead: Great Lakes Tested Picks and Setup Tips

By: FishUSA Staff

October 31, 2025

Steelhead demand smooth power and clean pressure during a wide, fast run. Your trolling rod must load deep, protect light hooks, and keep pressure steady through surges at the surface. I troll Lake Erie and the Great Lakes for summer steelhead, fall steelhead, and spring cohos. This guide lists the best steelhead trolling rods with clear callouts and in-depth reviews. It also explains how to match power, action, and length to boards, downriggers, divers, and lead core.

Steelhead demand smooth power and clean pressure during a wide, fast run. Your trolling rod must load deep, protect light hooks, and keep pressure steady through surges at the surface. I troll Lake Erie and the Great Lakes for summer steelhead, fall steelhead, and spring cohos. This guide lists the best steelhead trolling rods with clear callouts and in-depth reviews. It also explains how to match power, action, and length to boards, downriggers, divers, and lead core.

Table of Contents

  • What Makes a Great Steelhead Trolling Rod?
  • Best Steelhead Trolling Rods
  • How to Choose the Right Steelhead Trolling Rod
  • Steelhead Trolling Setups by Presentation
  • Tuning Drag, Hooks, and Leaders
  • Not Sure Which Rod to Choose? Start Here
  • Final Thoughts

What Makes a Great Steelhead Trolling Rod?

  • Action: Moderate to moderate-slow loads into the midsection and cushions small trebles and single hooks.
  • Power: Medium-light to medium covers spoons, small plugs, and stickbaits at 1.8–3.0 mph.
  • Length: 8’6”–10’6” spreads lines, clears boards, and helps during figure-eight net jobs.
  • Blank material: E-glass or composite blanks add forgiveness and durability at the rod holder.
  • Guides and seat: Stainless frames with smooth inserts and a strong reel seat for levelwinds.
  • Handle: Long foregrips and durable EVA or shrink tube for wet hands and net work.

Best Steelhead Trolling Rods

FishUSA Flagship Trolling Rod

Best Overall • Best for Planer Boards and Flatlines
I rate this as the best all-around steelhead trolling rod for Lake Erie spreads. The blank has a true moderate action that loads clean with spoons and small stickbaits. It pulls inline planer boards without tip chatter and keeps light hooks pinned during a surface run. The handle length is right for rod trees and track systems. The guides handle mono, braid, and lead core leaders without hang-ups. If you want a simple choice that covers spring cohos through summer steelhead, start here. See the FishUSA Flagship Trolling Rod.

  • Best for: Planer boards, flatlines, light divers
  • Why it works: Forgiving glass action protects small trebles at 2.2–2.8 mph
  • Use with: 10–15 lb mono or 20–30 lb braid mainline; 12–15 lb fluoro leaders
Buy FishUSA Flagship Trolling Rods

Lamiglas Classic Glass Salmon/Steelhead Trolling Rods

Best Classic E-Glass Feel • Best for Downriggers and Plugs
Lamiglas glass blanks are smooth and predictable under load. The parabolic bend pins fish on downriggers and plug rods, and the soft tip telegraphs lure pulse without dropping fish when a steelhead cartwheels. The mid and butt sections still move fish from the prop wash fast. If you troll Mag Lips, Hot Shots, or jointed sticks off riggers, this is a proven choice. See the Lamiglas Classic Glass Salmon/Steelhead Trolling Rods.

  • Best for: Downriggers, short-set plugs, prop-wash spoons
  • Why it works: Full glass blank absorbs shock at the release and during headshakes
  • Use with: 12–17 lb mono; 15–20 lb fluoro leaders for plugs
Buy Lamiglas Classic Glass Salmon/Steelhead Trolling Rods

St. Croix Onchor Salmon/Steelhead Trolling Rod

Best Premium Control • Best for Divers and High-Speed Spoons
Onchor brings St. Croix fit and finish to salmon and steelhead trolling. The blank blends forgiveness with crisp recovery, so it handles Lite Bite divers and standard Dipsies without folding. The tip shows diver trips and reset cleanly, and the moderate action protects hooks when a fish surges near the board. Hardware and wraps are built for charter-level use. If you pull divers for suspended summer steelhead, this rod excels. See the St. Croix Onchor Salmon/Steelhead Trolling Rod.

  • Best for: Dipsy/Lite Bite divers, suspended steelhead at 35–65 ft
  • Why it works: Strong mid-section maintains diver depth yet keeps hooks pinned
  • Use with: 30 lb braid mainline to diver; 12–15 lb fluoro leader to spoon
Buy St. Croix Onchor Salmon/Steelhead Trolling Rod

Shimano Technium Salmon Trolling Rod

Best for Lead Core and Copper • Big Water Spreads
Technium pairs a durable blank with guide trains that handle abrasion from lead core connections and copper backing. The action is moderate and steady, which helps when a copper line loads deep under the boat. The long handle sits well in gunnel holders and track systems. If you run segmented lead core or light copper for roaming steelhead on Lake Michigan or Ontario, Technium is a smart pick. See the Shimano Technium Salmon Trolling Rod.

  • Best for: 1–7 color lead core, 150–200 ft copper segments
  • Why it works: Moderate glass-composite cushions surges on weighted lines
  • Use with: Lead core or copper main, 20–30 lb braid backer, 12–15 lb fluoro leader
Buy Shimano Technium Salmon Trolling Rods

Shimano Scimitar Salmon/Steelhead Trolling Rod

Best Budget Pick • Starter Great Lakes Spread
Scimitar gives you a clean moderate action at a friendly price. The blank handles inline boards and downrigger work with spoons and small plugs. It is a strong entry rod for anglers building a six- to eight-rod spread for Erie steelhead or mixed coho days. Hardware is simple and proven. See the Shimano Scimitar Salmon/Steelhead Trolling Rod.

  • Best for: Budget planer board and rigger duty, weekend trips
  • Why it works: True moderate bend keeps fish pinned without pricey hardware
  • Use with: 10–15 lb mono main; 12 lb fluoro leader
Buy Shimano Scimitar Salmon/Steelhead Trolling Rods

How to Choose the Right Steelhead Trolling Rod

  • Technique first: Pick moderate glass or composite for riggers and boards. Pick a firmer mid for divers. Pick long blanks for lead core and copper.
  • Line plan: Mono is forgiving and shows lure pulse. Braid increases depth on divers. Lead core and copper reach suspended fish without downriggers.
  • Speed and lure: Spoons at 2.2–2.8 mph need a soft tip and steady mid. Plugs at 2.0–2.4 mph need shock absorption at the release.
  • Spread design: Mix lengths. Run 9’–10’ rods high for outside boards, 8’6” mid for divers, and 8’–9’ short for riggers.

Steelhead Trolling Setups by Presentation

Planer Boards (Inline or Mast)

Boards shine on roaming summer steelhead. Use moderate action rods to keep spoons pulsing and to prevent pulled hooks when a fish hits far out. Set longer rods outside and shorter rods inside to avoid tangles. Run mono for forgiveness or braid for deeper reach with the same weight.

  • Rods: FishUSA Flagship or Scimitar, 8’6”–10’
  • Line: 10–12 lb mono or 20–30 lb braid + 12–15 lb fluoro leader

Downriggers

Downriggers target precise breaks and temp bands. Use full glass or soft composite rods so the release does not rip hooks free. Keep the rod loaded hard at the clip to drive the hook on the pop.

  • Rods: Lamiglas Classic Glass, Scimitar 8’–9’
  • Line: 12–15 lb mono; 12–15 lb fluoro leader for spoons and plugs

Divers (Dipsy and Lite Bite)

Divers pull hard. A rod with a steady midsection holds depth while the tip signals trips. Braid improves dive curve and resets cleanly. Do not use a fast action that pops hooks during a surge.

  • Rods: St. Croix Onchor 8’6”–9’
  • Line: 30 lb braid to diver; 12–15 lb fluoro leader to spoon

Lead Core and Copper

Weighted lines reach roaming steelhead without hardware. A moderate rod protects knots and connections when a fish runs at the boat. Segment 1–7 colors to stack the water column on outside boards.

  • Rods: Shimano Technium 8’6”–9’6”
  • Line: 1–7 color lead core or 150–200 ft copper; 20–30 lb braid backer; 12–15 lb fluoro leader

Tuning Drag, Hooks, and Leaders

  • Drag: Set light at the rod holder. Increase a touch after the first run.
  • Hooks: Use sharp size 4–6 trebles on spoons; size 2–4 singles where needed. Pinch barbs where required.
  • Leaders: 12–15 lb fluoro for clear water; 10–12 lb in ultra-clear conditions; 15–20 lb in mixed salmon/steelhead days.

Not Sure Which Rod to Choose? Start Here

If you troll mostly boards and flatlines, pick the FishUSA Flagship. If you love riggers and plugs, pick Lamiglas Classic Glass. If you run divers to suspended marks, pick St. Croix Onchor. If you chase fish with lead core and copper, pick Shimano Technium. If you want a budget rod that still gets it done, pick Shimano Scimitar.

Final Thoughts

The best trolling rods for steelhead share the same traits: a moderate action that loads deep, a steady mid that holds hardware, and the length to manage a big spread. Pick your rod by presentation first. Use glass or composite for downriggers and boards. Use a firmer mid for divers. Use durable guides for lead core and copper. The rods above have proven themselves across Lake Erie, Michigan, and Ontario. Match one to your spread, set clean drags, and you will land more steelhead.

Shop Steelhead Trolling Gear

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