Best Streamer Rod/Weight/Line

[eknapp]

What's the best streamer rod weight?  Also, would it be better to set up the streamer rod with a sinking line?  This would be used on the White River...

[Ryan Miloshewski]

7 or 8 weight. I have a Ross Animas with two spools, one with SA Sonar that is 300-grain for heavy generation and another spool with 150-grain for varying flows. For the White, you'll almost always want sinking line. You'll be throwing a big streamer when the water is running. You'll be able to throw anything with that setup. 

I have a 7-wt NRX+ that handles like an 8-wt so I have versatility. Not sure what rod you're looking at, but I sure do love that Loomis. 

[fishinwrench]

Personally I prefer a fairly fast 6wt. with a Rio Grand floating line & 7' 5ips Rio sinking leader.  

But I don't throw big nasty stuff, or target only trophy sized trout.  If you do.....then I'd step it up a notch. 

[tjm]

Depends entirely on the streamer, and conditions, streamers can run from a #10 marabou  to heavy articulated Galloups to 4/0 Clousers. the streamers that I would use at RRSP or Crane Creek can be fished with a 5wt and probably with a 4wt. Streamers that I used to surf cast with need a 9wt. 

And also how big the water is can govern how far one needs to cast, the White River  above Beaver Lake  I might use a 5wt and below Bull Shoals I'd want 7-9wt. Might make difference if in a boat or wading, in a boat you can sometimes get closer.  And if the wind is blowing I might fish an 8 or 8 wt line on a 7wt rated rod. 

On sinking versus floating, I typically fish full floating lines in water less than 8-10' and when using a sinking line I use one of the Jim Teeny T series. The shooting head mass dependent on the rod casting strength, and current speed,  but the T-130 is a handy line to have.