TOPIC:

So I purchased my first rig, a Lowe 1675FM with 90hp merc last year. She is small but mighty.
That said I want to try and get out on the big lake for the big fish. I am thinking of starting woth the summer steelies and looking for this sites advice.
I am trying to keep costs down and want to get some basic gear. I  have planar boards thanks to the spring swap meet at the Stevensville legion   I am thinking of picking up 4 trolling rods, but what advice would you give regarding lures/rigs? Any other advice to a newbie? 

If you are looking to start with 4 rods, I'd start with 1 dipsy diver rod, and 3 leadcore rods

Coho and summer steelhead are usually a top 30 feet of the water column game - so I'd spool the rods with a 2 color, a 3 color, and  a 5 color  (you can make that out of 1 spool of 10 color lead)

If you need to get the leadcore rods a bit deeper, you can add snap weights/dive bombs/torpedo weights or something similar

Body baits:
 brads thin fish in red/black squiggle, orange/gold
orange J-11 jointed rapalas


Spoons:
Dreamweaver super slims and regular size in Buffalo Bill, Craig's Steelhead, Bumblebee, Mixed Veggie, Starburst, Steely Cane, Riverside, Steely Stomper, Jawbreaker
Michigan Stinger Regular Jordo, Double Orange Crush, Blue Dolphin
Moonshine Agent Orange, Steely Ranger, Craig's Flounder 


Using dodgers/rotators with flies is a bit more advanced than spoons/body baits, but can be great
8 inch orange or fire dot dodgers with 2 or 3 inch flies in green, blue, gold, or purple (gotta run slower with these, like 2.1 to 2.4)
8 inch spin doctors  (can run faster than dodgers)



My favorite steelhead setups would be a 3 color with a  double orange crush, a flatline or 2 color with a red/squiggle thin fish or J-11 jointed rap, and a 5 color with a buffalo bill

PM sent

Thanks for thw info mc_angler and reeltales I will reach out. 

MC Angler had some great advice, lots of orange and shallow.

If you are truly just starting out, I have a whole box of duplicate spoons I pulled and set aside this winter, and a number of miscelanous downrigger rods that you would be welcome to if it helps get your addiction going. That way you can spend a few extra dollars on nicer reels and upgrade rods as you feel the need.