What size fishing pole/reel do i need for salmon fishing.?
Filed in Fish Talk on Jul.15, 2011
I live in michigan and will be going salmon fishing in a large river for the first time of my life. I need to know what pound line and size pole i should buy. Also what type of reel…Baitcaster or open face. Please help
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July 15th, 2011 at 3:14 am
A 6 1/2 to 7′ medium to medium heavy spinning rod should do the trick. Match it with an open face reel that can hold 300 yds. + of 12 to 14 lb. test mono. Make sure you have a good, heavy, duty drag on the reel.
July 15th, 2011 at 4:13 am
There are too many methods of river fishing for salmon that it’s going to be hard to specifically answer your question.
Are you going to be in a boat? shore?
What method are you going to be using? plugging? spinners/spoons? beading? roe?
It’s a different ball game depending on what you’re doing. If you’re going to be on a boat, then more than likely you’re going to be plugging, bottom bouncing, or trolling. For any method from a boat, typically your line will be about 10-20lb and you will be using a (usually round, not low profile – but still your preference) baitcaster paired with a 7-8.5 ft med or med/hvy rod rated up to about 20 or 30lbs. That’s the typical match.
For shore methods, the prefered setup is more like 6-17lb line paired with an 8.5-12ft rod in that same line category. The longer (10-12ft) lengths are more for float fishing than anything else. I would recommend a rod, if you’re a “beginner,” that’s either 8.5 or 9ft. As you progres, you’ll learn to appreciate and value the longer lengths for controling fish. For shore fishing, it’s either spinning or casting setups. If you’re spoon/spinner fishing, then I’d say go with a spinning reel because it can toss those lightweight lures much better than most baitcasters can. Otherwise, I’d say whatever you’re more familiar with is good to stick to.
If you can re-ask your question with a little more specifics, I can try to help you out a little more.
July 15th, 2011 at 5:06 am
In Washington, we use a heavy pole, 8′ and stiff, level wind reel or deep sea reel and 20 lb test line. The leader may be 8 to 12 pound depends on the water clarity. If you fish any big fish, the set up should be OK. You do need power for salmon, and keep your tips up.