Can a short stiff rod bring in a fish? Aye it can.
First of all, if you read my post it's not a cheap stiff walmart rod.
Its a high quality (wont bring price into this) Shimano, and its medium fast action, light weight and has a tonne of bend in it.
So tut tut my little one, a high post count and success on a hatchery fed river don't be making you an expert. MA HAR HAR HAR HARRRRR!!!!!
High post count does mean nothing, you're right. It's why I never post any more, because people like you seem to know what best regardless of what other people say, even when both ways work.
And about the hatchery rivers... well I live on the island, nearest one is the Stamp which is a 50 mins drive each way and with gas at $1.37... well anyone who thinks I would drive there to fish is an idiot. I do fine on the small local flows that get 200 or less fish back a year. But you're right, I'm an idiot. And I guess the reason why you wouldn't know that I am not a fan of crowded hatchery rivers might be because I don't post any more... looping back to what I said earlier. I also never once claimed to be an expert, I said what works for me. It may not work for you and that's fine, but don't put words in my mouth.
So in short, the rod you have frozen salmon is fine for chucking spoons. If you know how to fight and control fish properly, you should have no problem landing the fish and getting it in without stressing it. IMO any fight over 6-7 mins is way too long, and I see guys doing it all the time. Maybe thats why I lose so many fish at the beach