What kind of bass tackle can I use for steelhead fishing?

Welcome to the Pacific Northwest. The good news is...you are going to love fishing here. I am particularly fond of the Columbia River. The bad news is...salmon and steelhead fishing is a whole new ball game. I'm wouldn't bother trying to accomodate existing equipment and techniques...you are going to have to do some assimilation. As you already know, you have to head down to the river and spend time with the guys who fish a particular area...techniques and terminal tackle will vary even within a relatively limited stretch of the river. And, of course, there's no substitute for knowing the river.

Also, the trick here is how NOT to catch bass when you are after something else.

Hi

Stick with the spoons and spinners while I am not a steelhead angler per say .. Your trout lures will work as effectively for steel head .. you may also want to try trailing a live worm on the spoons and spinners.

spoons and spinners as well as many deep diving plugs in chrome and fire colors. hot shots are regularly used. there are many similar bass plugs.

a small assortment of extra steelhead lures won't cost a lot of money. less than a new reel.

Here's a killer method we use here in MI. Get ya....only if u have these items on hand,if not their not to much, anyway, STICK BOBBER,SMALL JIG,SMALL PLASTIC WORM,OR SPAWN SAC. Set ur rig to bounce near the bottom, but not actually touch. Cast up stream and twitch it, you can go wrong. Or try this (egg sinker)---------------(swivel)------------------(egghook) < spawn sac.

leader^line

Try salmon egg spawn sacks and let them drift. You can also put on a sinker to hold them to the bottom.