Designed for winter steelhead, where you need a little more backbone due to the larger weights required to fish high water conditions, the StR 865-2 has sufficient power to fish Chinook salmon. But it is actually best suited for silvers and chums. Because it has the power to move fish and bring them boat-side without a chase, this is a good choice for both boat and bank fishing. Additionally, it is a good alternative rod for stripers, blues and other medium-size saltwater species.