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Post 30 Nov 2021, 08:49 • #1 
Guide
Joined: 06/07/15
Posts: 162
Location: US-PA
Hi all - I have an FF90 and a Beaudex (3" spool, click/pawl). Anyone ever use this rod or reel for great lakes steelhead? I'd appreciate hearing about your experience and how it worked out for you, the flies/line/rigging you used, the biggest fish you were able to land with this, etc.

thanks


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Post 30 Nov 2021, 08:56 • #2 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/18/09
Posts: 5561
Location: Relocated to the Drought Stricken West.
I wouldn't hesitate. I presume you're talking about the 2pc. I wouldn't hesitate with the 3pc either, but it's a bit softer. I have fished my FF85 7-8-9 and it works really well. The fiberglass action helps keep them on during that first 2 seconds when all hell breaks loose after 2 hours of drifting a nymph in the same spot.

I don't think I would use the FF90 for salmon or Pacific Steelhead but for any Steelhead in the Erie tribs it's a great rod. I think I prefer the FF85 because it's a bit shorter and a bit stouter. I wouldn't skimp on the reel. Having a heavy but smooth drag is important. There isn't that much room in those streams for them to run.


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Post 30 Nov 2021, 09:07 • #3 
Guide
Joined: 10/26/16
Posts: 100
Location: UK
a 3" Beaudex sounds quite small to me: I think you would need gel-spun to give you enough backing.
But it's a good reel/drag: I have landed Atlantic Salmon to 12lbs on the (wide-spool, Youngs) 3 1/2" Beaudex.
Great sound, too!


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Post 30 Nov 2021, 09:39 • #4 
Piscator
Joined: 08/10/05
Posts: 19078
Location: downtown Bulverde, Texas
Beaudex capacities

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5550&start=25#p103586

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5550&start=25#p217105

I'm also pretty sure if the spool measures 3", the reel is 3-1/2"


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Post 30 Nov 2021, 10:36 • #5 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/21/06
Posts: 3081
Location: Orygun
It'll be just fine for the majority of streams out west short of big water. For where you're located, it'll totally work. For salmon out here, I'm bumping up to a 10wt, but for steelhead (and we have a few big ones), it's generally a 6-8wt and I've never really felt undergunned. If you can fit 75yds of backing on there, you're golden (honestly, one could probably get away with 50 for 99.9% of steelhead anywhere).


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Post 30 Nov 2021, 13:00 • #6 
Guide
Joined: 06/07/15
Posts: 162
Location: US-PA
Thanks folks,
The rod is a 2 pc D series and the line ratings are 7 or 8 depending on floating, sinking, etc.
The reel is the wider arbor and 3.5 total diameter of frame. I have a rio wf8f on it now. Other big reel I have is an old Teton Tioga 8.
Gonna give it a go this week.


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Post 30 Nov 2021, 13:39 • #7 
Guide
Joined: 05/13/20
Posts: 250
Location: Lake Junaluska, NC
I think the Beaudex and FF90 will do well for you for Great Lakes area steelhead. I have the 3 1/2 inch medium wide spool Beaudex (and the Tioga 8 ) and both have played and landed a bunch of steelhead. I have no experience with the FF90, but the reels I mentioned have both been used with a Winston fiberglass 8 weight 9'. I have had no problems with either reel. Mine have been used with WF8F or F/S lines and 18# backing. Give it a workout, and please post reviews and pics. Best of luck, and tight lines!


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Post 30 Nov 2021, 15:58 • #8 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/18/09
Posts: 5561
Location: Relocated to the Drought Stricken West.
I missed the Beaudex part the first time through. That sounds like a great pairing. If I were going with a Click and Pawl reel for steelhead, it would be a JW Young.

Get out there and get some good pictures. (if you don't freeze to death). I didn't go up this year. I just lost the excitement of driving 6 hrs each way for two 5hr days of fishing.


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Post 01 Dec 2021, 20:23 • #9 
Master Guide
Joined: 01/21/12
Posts: 462
Location: US-NY
Kbobb, you're fine for steelhead. Honestly that's fine for LO salmon salmon too with the exception of trib.

I dont fish for GL salmon and steelhead as much as I used to but I've caught thousands on click and Paul reels.


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