Elite Salmon Steelhead Casting Rod
9-foot 2-piece salmon/steelhead casting rods for drift fishing, M to MH power
A 2-piece casting rod series within Ugly Stik's mid-tier Elite lineup, purpose-designed for West Coast and Great Lakes salmon and steelhead fishing. Both models are 9', standard for side-drifting, back-bouncing, and mooching from a drift boat. Medium action construction accounts for light-biting fish and the need to keep fish hooked during long runs; line ratings of 8–30lb span light monofilament to heavier steelhead setups.
Positioned for river and moderate nearshore use. Ugly Tech construction uses 35% more graphite than the GX2 series, reducing weight while maintaining the characteristic Ugly Stik durability. Ugly Tuff one-piece stainless guides prevent insert pop-outs under sustained pressure; Clear Tip fiberglass tip adds durability at the most vulnerable section. Premium cork grip is noted for salmon/steelhead anglers who spend long days with rod in hand.
Customer feedback indicates some fit issues between the two pieces, a practical concern for boat anglers. Both models share the same 9' length and M action; power separates them. The M (ELSS90M-MC-2, 8–15lb) covers lighter steelhead and smaller salmon; the MH (ELSS90MH-MC-2, 10–30lb) handles chinook and larger coho with heavier terminal tackle.
Shaded band: the spread of the lineup's 2 models, as percentile rank among same-type rods. Solid line = series median · dashed ring = catalog median.
- Models
- 2 casting
- Length
- 9' 2.70 m
- Power
- M–MH
- Action
- M
- Line
- 8–30 lb
- List price
- $329.95
Rods in this series
2 models| Save | Model | Length | Power | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELSS90MH-MC-2 | 9' | MH | Buy from Ugly Stik | |
| ELSS90M-MC-2 | 9' | M | Buy from Ugly Stik |
Model notes
All 2 modelsMedium-heavy option for chinook salmon and heavy steelhead rigs, or situations requiring heavier gear in high-water conditions. 10–30lb range accommodates heavier braid leaders and larger spinners.
Lighter-rated model suited for steelhead and silver/coho salmon with finesse presentations. 8–15lb range keeps this in mono and lighter fluorocarbon territory for drift fishing.