Okuma Aventa VT1002 Reel
I picked up a nice float fishing combo at the Spring Fishing & Boat Show last weekend for a cool 229 bucks- and tax free! This Okuma Aventa VT1002 center pin reel is paired with a beautiful 13′ Quantum Cold Water Steelhead rod. I would have taken some pictures of the fishing rod, but since it’s only a two piece there aren’t many places where I can put a 7′ section of rod under my lights. I’ll try to take some in the field this spring.
The reel is backed with 12# Suffix Siege monofilament (not show in photos), running 6# Siglon Hi-Vis Float line, and will eventually be tipped with some Seguar fluorocarbon. This type of fishing is extremely new to me, I’ve never caught a steelhead in my life, however a few of my friends have convinced me to join them and I can’t wait for the streams to start flowing.
I’m getting really stoked as well for the ice melt. I have yet to successfully land a steelhead that is bigger than 6 inches. But I’m going to be all over that &&&& this spring. I have yet to shell out for a float set up, but I’m sure I have one in my future.
Last spring when the river was high and muddy, I cast out a small clack’n rapp and BAMM! I thought I was stuck right before a beauty steelhead leaped out of the water and threw my hook.
I’m thinking I might try my new fly rod this spring, but I was warned that my rod might explode. Apparently a 6wt is not appropriate for steelies.
It really depends, if you are fishing a smaller river system a 6 wt should be able to handle a medium sized steelhead. You can use a 6wt on a lot of easter tribs in southern Ontario, it will be one hell of a fight that’s for sure, but ideally you want to use a 7wt and higher. I’ve stopped fly fishing for steelhead and have moved to strictly float fishing. The first sight of open flowing water and I’ll be on the river. Last time out was just before new years on the Thornbury river in Collingwood, went 0/2, it’s been a long winter can’t wait to hit chrome this upcoming season!
It’s funny, I just read an article about these reels and was thinking of checking them out. Let us know how it goes and how much of a learning curve there is.
Hopefully will have some hands-on impressions next weekend!