Revolving spool outfits also suit casting as, from boat or bank, they keep the line above the rod nicely away from boat or pier.
Spinning rigs can work for everything save trolling and 15 to 18 pound test will do the job on everything save sturgeon that require 30 pound test.
Where spot casting to swirling fish, as isn't uncommon for stripers spring and fall and black bass anytime, a nine foot steelhead rig maximizes casting range. A light surf stick helps present baits and lures to boat-shy stripers in shallow water and add even more casting range to piscatorial targets of opportunity. Surf sticks, the first used "flippin' " tools over in the early days of clear lake, are ideal to pitch pig n' jigs and such back into the heavy summer weeds for big bass and their greater length helps keep lines out of the water and floating debris when sturgeon, salmon or big stripers run wild. There's enough backbone here to haul out a 7 to 10 pound largemouth and a couple of gallons of "greenage." Best of all, if coupled with a long-handled net, rod lengths nine feet or longer reduce the problems with shore shags and such.
At the light end, ultralight rods are superior tools along rip-rap banks for smallmouth, largemouth and some of the delta's white or black crappie. Smaller lures can be just the ticket when the delta water is clear and quiet. Tube lures, Wee-Rs and other small plugs and spoons work best. Tiny topwater plugs and small spinner baits work well too.
TIP: given the two rod regulation it's wise to have such a rig armed with an ounce silver Hopkins or Kastmaster® handy at all times to fling a lure targets of opportunity.
Bass anglers do well with steelhead sticks too. Most use Senkos, Brush Hogs, Sweet Beavers and the like. Just about everyone has moved from the pistol grip to longer rods for better leverage that allows anglers to "skate" bass over delta salad.
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