Salmon fishing rods: choosing the right one

Preparing for a fishing adventure doesn’t mean focusing only on where the line sinks or how nice the weather is, though those things are just as important. Salmon fishing gear is important, of course, and you’ll want to make sure you account for all of your gear. Equipment such as salmon fishing rods, salmon fishing reels, the type of line and the leader you are going to use will be most important while terminal tackle such as hooks, baits and lures will be secondary.

Due to the variety of salmon species, as well as their many habitats, there are an infinite number of combinations that can be made to produce your ideal salmon fishing setup.

While salmon fishing tackle is available at many different rod and gun stores, not just in the ocean but inland as well, it’s best to learn about these things before you go ahead and purchase items. Let’s take a look at some of the tackle you’ll need for a successful day.

common junk

Salmon fishing rods, reels, weights, swivels and line and leader will be your basic necessities on any salmon fishing excursion, whether ocean or freshwater, casting or trolling. In all cases, your line will need to be of a good variety of braids or “try on.” Expensive braid brands are often called super lines. These lines are good for casting, but when it comes to landing the fish, results can vary from company to company. For clear water trolling, many anglers choose clear monofilament or fluorocarbon line. The unfortunate thing about salmon fishing is that if one of these big fish manages to break your line, you’re out of money, not only for the line itself, but also for any attractive lures and rigs you’re using (and your bobber if you it’s bob or float fishing!). All that and nothing to show for it! Make sure your line is endorsed by other anglers before trying it out on the water.

Common Saltwater Gear and Tackle

Different types of salmon fishing will require different gear. Any salmon fishing in the ocean will mean saltwater will take its toll on your gear, and we’re not just talking about your basic gear; If you fish in a boat, you will have to check your engine constantly; some estimates put the turnover rate for an inboard engine in the ocean at seven years. This can really add up, but there are tricks, like using fresh water coolant, that can help extend the life of your engine.

Fishing for salmon in the ocean, whether from a boat (mooching, trolling, or drift fishing) or from shore, requires some very specific salmon fishing tackle. You need hooks and weights that will lower the line to the level you want, but also won’t kick up a lot of weed going in. Bottom jumpers and lures work great for casting off a dock or shore, and packed roe are one of the most successful baits. Remember that salmon baits and lures are always based on smaller fish; bugs won’t give you much bragging rights at the end of the day when it comes to salmon, unless you’re talking crayfish, which anglers commonly refer to as insects.

Regarding the composition of the rigs and equipment, it is essential to pay close attention to detail. Fishing rods and fishing reels should be made of a material that will not corrode, such as aluminum (common in high-end reels), stainless steel, graphite (this is the most popular material in fishing rods in the ocean), plastic or old wood. . Do not use equipment that is made of mixed metals; Different metals will react in different ways to the salt content, and you could end up with a real or rod that is 25% corroded; it will look good for the most part, but it won’t work.

Salmon fishing tackle considerations such as lures and bait will depend on the type of fishing you are doing. Fishing for salmon in the ocean will mean a lot of trolling. You’ll want a rod, reel, and line setup appropriate for trolling, preferably one that can shake or flip mounds of kelp so the weight of the fish on the other end isn’t compounded by the weight of the debris. The bait on the line will usually be a device that simulates a fish, perhaps with some spoons to attract salmon’s attention. Plugs are also common in the ocean when fishing for salmon. It is important to check the regulations for the area you are fishing so that you are not using a hook/lure combination that is illegal (quad hooks were common years ago, but regulation has meant that double hooks are now the norm in the area). fish-like lures). ).

freshwater salmon gear

Fishing for freshwater salmon will generally mean using floats and live bait such as roe or shrimp. This may sound like a tame way to fish, but it can be quite exciting to watch the float sink into the river and realize it might not just be a rock, but a huge spring salmon at the end. Check the rod fast, because you want to hook the fish before it realizes what’s going on. This is done with a quick, firm jig or toward you. Slowly let your tip head back into the river with the current keeping some tension on the line, and if it continues to go down give it another really good jig and whoop. fish in if you have something

Casting, in freshwater, can be one of the most rewarding salmon fishing experiences, especially when the costs are compared to those incurred fishing from a boat. The difficult part can be determining the correct type of flies or lures; in fact, the only type of salmon that will really bite a fly is Steelhead or Coho. The flies you will have success with for rainbow trout will depend on whether the fish are winter or summer fish and of course what type of insects are around the river or stream you are casting over. The real challenge in casting Steelies is simply getting the fish to bite any fly. If you decide to use a lure or paddle, this is a very productive way to fish a wider range of salmon and can be used in both saltwater and freshwater.

Bottom bouncing is also a casting method used in a river system and involves a lot of casting. In these methods, live bait, synthetic worms, and wool are the weapon of choice for most anglers. When targeting Coho or Steelhead, use a smaller rig as these fish can be easily spooked by a huge, intimidating setup. A couple of split shots (or a small amount of lead) and a good compact presentation that is stealthy will work well for both of these species. If you are looking for the Spring or Sockeye in a large river system like the BC Fraser or Columbia, you are more likely to use a larger jumping betty and some wool while “flossing” the King salmon’s mouth, since Because these fish move upstream to spawn it will attack your line instead of biting it because it wants to feed. Flossing is a productive way to fish that brings in a good table fee, but it requires much less skill than other methods and some anglers disapprove of this method.

Advice; About buying lower rebound dumbbells:

Excalibur is a leading manufacturer of bouncing betty type weights that are in the midst of replacing lead weights, which is harmful to the environment. These environmentally safer dumbbells use Tungsten-nickel alloys And they’re 25% smaller, denser, and stiffer, which means longer life, less likely to damage lines, and more effective on river systems by delivering better bounce to the line. VERY COOL!

specific input

Choosing a salmon rod

As for the rods, the most recommended are those seven feet long for trolling. the base of the rod must be able to support a lot of weight; If you’re fishing the Pacific waters in particular, you need a rod that can handle the possibility of a 50-pound Tyee on the other end. Light and flexible material is essential to ensure a successful battle.

salmon reels

Salmon fishing reels are usually spinning or baitcasting. They must have smooth drag systems and must sustain the actual act of reeling without thinking. The tension between the fish and the reel should be smooth and not a jarring tension that can cause the line to break. Since you’ll want to focus on the fish at the other end and not the actual reeling process, drag becomes very important when deciding which reel is best for you.

salmon fishing line

There are different schools of thought when it comes to the right type of line to use when it comes to your salmon fishing tackle, but in most cases the most expensive line is the best option because as my dad used to say, “you get what you pay for”.

Now, it doesn’t have to be the MOST expensive fishing line on the market, but the higher priced lines tend to be better for clear water fishing; the less visible line will not scare a fish off your bait. More expensive lines are also more resistant to breakage, kinks, and tangling. Most of the time you will have to pay for new technology as older technologies fall by the wayside.

Just remember that a good salmon fishing tackle is essential when it comes to having a good fishing trip. Something as simple as the right salmon fishing line and leader will make all the difference, and if all goes well, you’ll be able to pull out those salmon recipes when you get back home!