Salmon fishing is much different than lake fishing. When I was younger, I used worm on a bobber to fish for trout, bass, crappies and bluegill, but fishing for salmon in the river is much different. You catch fish by feel.
For river salmon fishing, the most popular method is called drift fishing with corky and yarn. As a beginner, I think this should be your first choice. It is probably the only way people fish when fishing in the crowd (i.e. combat fishing). The following Youtube video should give a pretty good idea how to fish with this method.
Salmon fishing can get expensive, but you will do ok on budget if you get what you need. Here are my recommendations. If you know what you want, you may find some even better deals on Craigslist, especially before winter holidays... hint hint...
1. Fishing rod: 8'5" to 9' graphite spinning
You can tell by looking at the handle, it should not have trigger and the eye of the guide closer to the reel should be bigger than the rest. Good inexpensive rods I can recommend are Okuma SST, Lamiglas G200 series (you can find them on sale for about $65 sometimes). Lamiglas X11 may be ok, I just have never used them before. As for the G200 rod, if you can, make sure get the ones that says Fuji on the reel seat. Those were made with better blanks as I have been told. I have never had any good lucks with Berkley Air IM8, it's probably just me, so I can't recommend that.
If you just only want one rod, a medium heavy rod, 8-17lb will work for everything. Please note that not all 8-17lb rods are made the same even within the same brand and model sometimes, the action can be slightly different. Just ask the guys at the fishing counter to pick one out for you. I personally like rods with a little bit limber tip so I can detect the "bite" better.
If you have time, you can drive to some of the local fish rod factories for their seconds. Perfectly good fishing rods with big discount.
If you can spend a little more, I recommend you to check out Temple Folks Signature Series Salmon/Steelhead rod. They are $130 plus tax in stores.
If you have time, you can drive to some of the local fish rod factories for their seconds. Perfectly good fishing rods with big discount.
If you can spend a little more, I recommend you to check out Temple Folks Signature Series Salmon/Steelhead rod. They are $130 plus tax in stores.
2. Fishing reel
Generally, you don't want the reel to be too heavy. Fishing with a gigantic ocean reel will wear you out quickly. Been there done that. Personally, I will not use anything that is more than 11 oz in weight. Some brands of reels are lighter than the others.
Shimano makes good reels, I would recommend the Spirex, Sahara or Symmetry in 2500 to 3000 size. I was told the Sahara and Symmetry have more of sealed bearings, but all of them are good for both fresh and salt water. Pflueger President are also nice and good value. I would use their 35 and 40 sized ones. If the reel you pick comes with a spare spool, that will be helpful down the road.
Shimano makes good reels, I would recommend the Spirex, Sahara or Symmetry in 2500 to 3000 size. I was told the Sahara and Symmetry have more of sealed bearings, but all of them are good for both fresh and salt water. Pflueger President are also nice and good value. I would use their 35 and 40 sized ones. If the reel you pick comes with a spare spool, that will be helpful down the road.
With fishing reels, you don't go by the bearing counts. The quality of the bearings is what matters. I have been told anything above 5 will make the reel smooth. I used 4 bearing reels before, they were fine.
You need to pick the reel with smooth drags. All the ones I mentioned above have good smooth drag. 11 pound drag is more than enough for what you will be catching.
** When you landed a fish, make sure you don't put your rod on the ground. It will scratch up your rod and reel and shorten their useful life. I either put the rod under my arm or put it against a tree or something.
** When you landed a fish, make sure you don't put your rod on the ground. It will scratch up your rod and reel and shorten their useful life. I either put the rod under my arm or put it against a tree or something.
3. Fishing line
I like to use Izorline and Maxima. I'm not much of PLine guy. You will notice everyone will have their own favorite lines. Izorline are especially cheaper and great value overall. I bought mine from Big5 sporting goods.
For pink salmon, I use 12lb main and 10lb leader.
For silver salmon, I use 15lb main and 12lb leader.
For silver salmon, I use 15lb main and 12lb leader.
For king/chum salmon, I use 15lb main and 15lb leader/20lb Berkley Big Game leader.
A friend recommended me McCoy Mean Green line. I'm going to give the 20lb test a try. I will post my experience later. They should be more limber and less line memories.
If you want to use braided line, I personally like Berkley Fireline. They strong and can cast a mile. Powerpro and Suffix are not bad either. Make sure you use heavier line because you don't want to lose any of these lines in the river. They are not good for the environment and creating snags for everybody years to come. Since they don't stretch, the braided line will make your rod feel more sensitive. So, if you can't feel anything with your rod, try the braided line out. For spinning reels, I would go no more than 30lbs with 20lbs minimum. For casting reels, I would go between 30 to 60lb lines. Using this heavy line is not for the fish, but for your reel. The lighter lines are thinner, and they tend to dig into the spool and make casting more difficult.
4. Hooks
This is where I like to spend extra money on. I like Gamakatsu red hooks.
Size 1 & 2 for pink salmon
Size 1/0 & 2/0 for king, silver and chum
I recommend to pre-rig your leader and hooks prior to go fishing and store them in the sealed plastic bag (cutting down the odor contamination from your house). You will lose tackles, that's just the cost of going fishing.
I fish barbless. It helps release fish and remove your hook. Some people will tell you to get the barbed hooks and pinch the barb down to make them barbless. I prefer just get the barbless in the first place. They are same price anyway. You may notice that the barbless hooks have slightly different shape than the barbed hooks with barbs pinched down.
5. Weights/Sinkers
Pencil lead is the way to go. Get yourself a spool of 1/4" pencil lead and a pair of pencil lead pilers., they will serve you well. Most of time you will find yourself using about 1" long lead, approximately 1/2 oz. The size of the sinkers is really depends on how fast the water is and what kind of presentation you want to achieve. With pencil lead you can always adjust on the fly. For beginners, I think your best bet is copying the exact setup from the guy next to you catches most fish... for now.
6. Swivels
Regular snap swivels in size 7 to 10 will work. I like the black ones.
7. Corkies & Yarn
Most common size corkies are size #10 and #12. They are around 14 cents each. Don't pay more than that. I like the solid pink, solid orange, solid red ones. The corkie usage depends on how fast the water is and how heavy the hook. It's more trial and error for me.
As for yarn, I don't use them unless I want to put scent on it. It's just me. If you do put yarn on your hook, don't make the yarn pass the button of the hook.
As for yarn, I don't use them unless I want to put scent on it. It's just me. If you do put yarn on your hook, don't make the yarn pass the button of the hook.
8. Landing nets
This is optional. If your buddy has one or someone fishes near your has one, you are set. I recommend the knotless one if possible. This will help the fish you are going to release as it's more gentle on their scales.
9. Fish stringer
DO NOT get the metal clip type! You will lose fish on them eventually. I lost a 8lb silver on one of those thing this year. I will never use it again. Just get a simple nylon non-white colored stringer. It's much more secure. It's around $3. Get the nylon ones because it will wash off the fish blood a lot easier. They are also thinner, makes the fish more comfortable.
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