Preparing for a fishing adventure doesn’t mean focusing only on where the line sinks or how nice the weather is, although those things are just as important. Salmon fishing gear is important, of course, and you’ll want to make sure you account for all gear. Equipment such as salmon fishing rods, salmon fishing reels, the type of line and the leader you are going to use will be the 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 only in the ocean but inland as well, it is in your best interest to learn about these things before you go ahead and purchase items. Let’s take a look at some of the gear you’ll need for a successful day out.
common junk
Salmon fishing rods, reels, weights, swivels, and line and leader will be your basic needs on any salmon fishing excursion, whether it’s ocean or freshwater, casting or trolling. In all cases, your line will need to be a good variety of braids or “try ons”. 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 trolling in clear water, 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 whatever lures and lures you’re using (and your bobber if you it’s bob or float fishing!). All that and nothing to show! Make sure your line is endorsed by other anglers before you try it out on the water.
Common Saltwater Gear and Gear
Different types of salmon fishing will require different gear. Any salmon fishing in the ocean will mean the saltwater will take a 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 rate of rotation of an inboard engine in the ocean at seven years. This can really add up, but there are tricks, like using freshwater coolant, that can help extend the life of your engine.
Ocean salmon fishing, whether from a boat (mooching, trolling, or drift fishing) or from shore, requires some very specific salmon fishing gear. You need hooks and weights that will lower the line to the level you want, but also don’t kick up a lot of weed on the way in. Bottom jumpers and lures work great for casting off a dock or shore, and roe packs are one of the most successful baits. Remember that salmon baits and lures are always based on smaller fish; insects won’t give you much bragging rights at the end of the day when it comes to salmon, unless you’re talking about crayfish, which fishermen commonly refer to as insects.
When it comes to rigging and equipment composition, close attention to detail is a must. Fishing rods and 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 ocean fishing rods ), plastic or old wood. . Do not use equipment that is made of mixed metals; different metals will react in different ways to salt content, and you could end up with a rod 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 baits 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 suitable for trolling, preferably one that can shake or flip mounds of seaweed so that the weight of the fish on the other end isn’t compounded by the weight of debris. The bait on the line will usually be a fish-like device, perhaps with a few spoons to draw the attention of the salmon. Plugs are also common in the ocean when fishing for salmon. It’s important to check the regulations for the area you’re fishing in so you don’t use a hook/lure combination that’s illegal (quad hooks were common years ago, but regulation has meant double hooks are now the norm in fish-like lures). ).
freshwater salmon gear
Fishing for freshwater salmon will generally mean the use of 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 they realize what’s going on. This is done with a quick firm template or towards you. Slowly let your tip go back into the river with the current keeping some tension on the line, and if it continues to drop, give it another really good jig and yell. 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 hard part can be determining the right type of flies or lures; in fact, the only type of salmon that will actually bite a fly is Steelhead or Coho. The flies you will be successful with for rainbow trout will depend on whether the fish are winter or summer, and of course what type of insects are around the river or stream you are casting on. 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 for a wider range of salmon and can be used in both saltwater and freshwater.
Bottom bounce 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, a smaller rig is used as these fish can easily be spooked by a huge and intimidating setup. A couple of split shots (or a small amount of lead) and a nice compact presentation that is stealthy will work well for both of these species. If you’re looking for the Spring or Sockeye in a large river system like BC’s Fraser or the Columbia, you’re more likely to use a larger bouncy betty and some wool while “flossing” the mouth of the King salmon, since As these fish move upriver to spawn they will attack your line instead of biting it because it wants to feed. Flossing is a productive way of fishing that brings in a good table fee, but it requires much less skill than other methods and some anglers frown on this method.
Advice; About buying bottom rebound weights:
Excalibur is a leading manufacturer of bouncing betty type weights that are in the middle of replacing lead weight, which is harmful to the environment. These environmentally safer weights use Tungsten-nickel alloys and they are 25% smaller, denser, and stiffer, which means longer life, less chance of damaging lines, and more effective in river systems as they impart 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 withstand a lot of weight; if you’re fishing Pacific waters in particular, you need a rod that can handle the possibility of a 50-pound Tyee on the other end. The light and flexible material is essential to ensure a successful battle.
salmon spools
Salmon fishing reels are usually spinning or baitcasting. They should have smooth drag systems and should keep the actual act of reeling mindless. 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 will 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 father 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 higher priced lines tend to be better for clear water fishing; the less visible line will not scare a fish off your bait. The more expensive lines are also more resistant to breakage, kinks, and tangles. More often than not you will have to pay for new technology as older technologies fall by the wayside.
Just remember that 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 whip out those salmon recipes when you get back home!