Salmon/Steelhead Spinning Outfit Advise

[sermak]

I'm brand new to Washington State salmon and steelhead fishing and want to put together and "all around" (if that is possible) spinning outfit for fishing Washington rivers for these fish. I could use some advise.

So far I have a St. Croix Wild River spinning rod. It is model WS86MHF2, 8'6" and medium heavy rated for 8-17# line. I am planning on getting a Shimano spinning reel in the "4000" size or a Daiwa spinning reel in the "3500" or "4000" size. It looks like the Daiwas have a bit more line capacity for about the same weight when compared to the Shimanos. Any thought on a reels for my St. Croix rod would be appreciated.

Also, once I get the reel....what size line would you recommend? I am thinking of going with 12 pound, but again, would appreciate some advise.

I'll be doing most of my fishing from shore since I do not yet have a boat. If you have any ideas for what lures or tackle would be good to have in my "starter kit" I would appreciate that also.

Thanks in advance.

[The Quadfather]

One of you river guys help the newbie out. bump.

[returnofthefish]

I started last year and my buddy helped me out. Gamakatsu barbless salmon hooks would be a start. Checks the regs to see if the river your fishing requires barbless hooks.

Some tackle to begin with are corkies and yarn, Bluefox pixee spoons or the large Bluefox vibrax spinners. It would also help if you listed a particular species your trying to catch.

[sermak]

Thanks. What about line size. Would 12 pound mono be a good start or should I go with 14 pound, or heavier???

[Brian253]

You want to fish spinners and spoons? I would definantley recommend heavier test, i typically use 15 lb braid main and 15 lb mono leader when spoon fishing and still manage to lose fish ha. A spoon hit is the most violent hit possible, so be geared accordingly. Good luck.

[curado]

get the 4000 shimano spinning load it with 12 on 1 spool and 10 on another

[jens]

12lb mono is good, you could even go lighter line for spinners. Spoons, I don't think fish are line shy, they will absolultely try and destroy that wobbling thing, hang on..

I personally have had issues with braid, I only will use it for float/jig fishing.

Good luck out there!! I remember last year someone told me to go to a baitcaster. I was like, hell no, I'm not dealing with any birds nests!! 1 year later, and I only use my spinning outfit for bobber/jig. I heart my baitcaster. I heart it.

[Anonymous]

Not to hi-jack this thread... Jens, what is it that you like about a spinning reel on a float setup over a bait caster? I ask as I've tried it a few times and really didn't care for it, especially when I'm trying to extend the drift. It is so much easier to free spool the bait caster and then thumb the reel to set the hook, it's a one hand operation. I like the spinning reel when I'm casting light spoons, spinners and plugs.

Back to the main topic - 12lb will be adequate to handle most any fish other than chinook in the rivers. The exception would be large chums in rivers like the Skagit.

[jens]

Not to hi-jack this thread... Jens, what is it that you like about a spinning reel on a float setup over a bait caster? I ask as I've tried it a few times and really didn't care for it, especially when I'm trying to extend the drift. It is so much easier to free spool the bait caster and then thumb the reel to set the hook, it's a one hand operation. I like the spinning reel when I'm casting light spoons, spinners and plugs.

Back to the main topic - 12lb will be adequate to handle most any fish other than chinook in the rivers. The exception would be large chums in rivers like the Skagit.

I have used my baitcaster when I was chucking bobber/eggs/shrimp, but with bobber/jigs I feel it is much easier to get a drag free drift with a spinning set up. I know it is a little bit of work flipping the bail, but I've fished next to buddies who use baitcasters and I can see my float is more up and down compared to theirs using the same exact weight/float. If you are above a hole I can see how a baitcaster is suited best because you can just let it free spool, but when you casting up and letting it drift down, that is where I find my spinning easier to mend and maintain a drag free drift.

I agree, a spinning rig is easier for light weights, but I am tossing 1/2 to 3/4 spoons and spinners.

[sermak]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I'll go with 12 pound mono to start and get some spinners and spoons in various sizes. I'll give that a try first then move to drift fishing and float fishing. So likely I'll have more questions. Can I use the 8'6" rod I describe above for float fishing or will I need something longer?

[jens]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I'll go with 12 pound mono to start and get some spinners and spoons in various sizes. I'll give that a try first then move to drift fishing and float fishing. So likely I'll have more questions. Can I use the 8'6" rod I describe above for float fishing or will I need something longer?

You can use it, but when you start getting more and more addicted to river fishing, 9'6 or longer is typically used for float fishing. See Mending line.

My spoon/spinner/plug rod is 9ft.
My drift rod is 10ft.
My bobber rod is 9'6.

[racfish]

You can get the $1000.00 setup or what I use is an Berkley Ugly Stick and a Shimano Spin reel. Total price $100.00. To me you cant beat the Ugly Stick. Its so very durable and not as tempremental as the light weight graphites.

[bionic_one]

What Racfish said has some real truth to it.

At Steelhead University the question was asked "Do I need a $300 rod? Can I just use a cheap rod?"

The Answer was basically: You can catch fish with a $30 rod, or a $300 rod. The difference is comfort and sensitivity, and your arm won't get tired as quickly.

You don't get fatigued as easily with a lightweight Lamiglas or Loomis rod. You can fish longer. That said, if you never fish with a G. Loomis or Lamiglas, you don't know what your missing - which can be good and bad.

[Anonymous]

I have a couple of Pflueger President's and have found them to be a decent reel for the price. I have them mounted on Ugly sticks that I use as loners on my boat and haven't had any issues with them at all other than the time my dad dropped my fifteen pound anchor on the rod handle and separated it from the rod. Good thing about the Ugly sticks is their warranty. Send the rods in and they will fix or replace them for the cost of postage.

[Gringo Pescador]

I have a couple of Pflueger President's and have found them to be a decent reel for the price.

I agree, there are better spinning reels out there, but for the price you can't beat em. I've got three a 6720 on my ultralight trout setup and two 6730s that I use for pretty much everything else (from drop shotting for Bass to Steelhead to Salmon (both salt and river)).

[Anonymous]

Bionic I have 2 Lamis that I love. For baitcasting its the Lami. For spinning its the Ugly. On bitter cold days its the Ugly not the Lami. I had a graphite shatter on me fishing the Green on a minus degree day. This was a while ago and I'm sure graphites are more well built.The guides iced up so I dipped it in the river and snap. I know the ugly is a bit heavier but were talking ounces not pounds more. JMO.

Years ago in my college days I met the famed Proffesor Donaldson. He said its the fisherman holding the rod that makes a good or a great rod.The other thing he said was Fish dont know if your using 30lb test or 10# test line.Why lose a fish?

[motorek]

Both reels you mention are good ones. Yes the difference is the spool size and shape. The Daiwas design is amazing with braided lines. You can spool it to the lip of the spool and will not receive nests during casts. The Daiwa 3500/4000 are made in japan. Both reels in this size share common reel body and differ in the size of the spool. the 3500 has enough spool capacity for river fishing or light salt water fishing like fishing for pink salmon.
Another good reel is Abu Garcia Soron STX. Nice smooth reel, with 11 bearings.
If you planning river fishing go with big reel. Especially river fishing is causing faster wearing, faster than lake fishing or trolling due water current.

[sermak]

Thanks motorek for your informative post. I ordered the Tierra 3500.

[racfish]

This thread reminds me of my Eagle Claw rod and the ole Mitchell 300 days. I fished that combo from the time I was 6 yo to 40 yo. lol.The Mitchell 300 was the reel of those days.

[flinginpooh]

Bionic I have 2 Lamis that I love. For baitcasting its the Lami. For spinning its the Ugly. On bitter cold days its the Ugly not the Lami. I had a graphite shatter on me fishing the Green on a minus degree day. This was a while ago and I'm sure graphites are more well built.The guides iced up so I dipped it in the river and snap. I know the ugly is a bit heavier but were talking ounces not pounds more. JMO.

Years ago in my college days I met the famed Proffesor Donaldson. He said its the fisherman holding the rod that makes a good or a great rod.The other thing he said was Fish dont know if your using 30lb test or 10# test line.Why lose a fish?

That guy is a college professor and stuff so he must know right? Ive use several leader sizes depending on water conditions usually. In summer clear Ill use a 10# mono leader or a 14# flouro, Night fishing I use a 15lb maxima cloudy water in winter I use 15# maxima or sometimes 20# if the fish are snapping it off. Winter steel is bigger.

The reason I change my leader # is visibility. If your using larger # leaders in clear water the fish will see that easier and they can be spooked easier. They may not care what your using but they will not bite if your using something that spooks them.

As for the rods. Take a rod thats all kinds of stiff with no sensitivity on it and go steel fishing. They bite so lite most of the time. Try that for a day or two. Then try fishing rods like I fish with. 9 6 lami cert pro x 96 mc or my Loomis str 1184s. Youll be able to tell the difference between bottom bouncing and bite alot easier. Hell youll be able to feel the bite that you wouldnt feel using a cheap rod. Also I fish the cow sometimes for 15 hours or more in a row. Fishing from 7 or 8 pm till next day when I get a limit or am too tired to fish any more. Holding a heavy rod with a heavy reel is not my idea of fun. You might say a few ounces but when its cast after cast after cast for hours on end it makes a big difference. I prefer the lighter rod with a smaller low profile reel. I put braid on so I can even go smaller on the lp reels. I can get more line on it and keep the # test on the reel a lil higher then if I was using mono. I like 20# braid, same diameter as 6lb mono.

When its all said and done its about personal preferences. Just thought Id explain why I fish with what I do. I couldnt imagine using some of the rods I see people using on the rivers.