step up from Okuma SST

[somethingsfishy]

I was fishing the other day and a kid let me try his Lamiglass IX something pole (he said he spent $900 on pole and baitcaster reel) it was SO sensitive while driftfishing, it made my SST feel like it had the sensitivity of a baseball bat. I am not going to spend $900 on a pole. Any recomnedations for a baitcaster pole for salmon fishing in the rivers / drift fishing in the $300 - 350 ish range? (with reel)

I have never used a baitcaster rig yet

[BlakeP]

I don't use baitcasters myself but I can tell you that typically a higher quality baitcaster reel is gonna cost you more than a quality spinning reel. If you want something pretty sensitive but not higher priced look into some of the casting G.Loomis EX6 rods.

[spokey9]

Lamiglas redlines are really sensitive in $150 range and their G1000 pro line are really nice in the $275-300 range. Also watch Craigslist and you can find some really nice rods (lami and Loomis) under $200. My favorite rods (and what I use almost exclusively) are the lami certified pros but they don't make them anymore. You can find those occasionally for under $175. As for a reel, the curado 200e is really hard to beat in the river. It's a tank that handles the conditions well. You can usually find one on eBay for about $100. It's not the newest model curado but the E series is the best version Shimano has built imo.

[The Quadfather]

I concur with Spokey9. I sold both a Lami Cert. Pro. last year, as well as the Curado 200e
Nice equipmemt. Watch Ebay as well.

[jonb]

You can get an okuma raw 2 centerpin reel and a fenwick hmx centerpin rod for around 300ish total for the combo.

My (g-loomis) gl2 centerpin is pretty smooth, scored it used for 150, i think they go for 300-400 new though. My islander was about $500 CAD after taxes. There is no smoother drift than what you get from a centerpin. Centerpins are the best float set ups possible IMO. Baitcasters feel like sloppy baseball bats by comparison (even nice ones).

If you do ever break down and decide to drop a grand on a fishing rod skip the baitcaster and go for the centerpin.