Rod/Reel for Salmon Fishing on WA Rivers

[FrostyAusty]

Hi Guys!
I am hoping to do some Salmon fishing this fall on some of the rivers over here in Western Washington, and was looking for a little advice on gear.
Last fall I received tons of great tips on bait, lures, strategies, but unfortunately I was only able to get out to the rivers a couple of times.
This fall I am looking to buy a new rod and reel to help me in my quest for my first NW Salmon from a local river. Was just curious about recommendations for a rod/reel setup that is ideal for targeting these fish. Looking to spend under $200 if possible.
As always thanks for all the help and feedback I receive from the awesome members of this forum.

Tight lines!
Austin

[BentRod]

First, what type of rod/reel? spinning or casting?

For the rod there are lots of options around or under $100. I recommend a rod 8'-10' in length with a medium or light rating. You'll get all sorts of opinions on brands, but look at brands such as Okuma, Shimano, Cabela's, etc. I have a Lamiglas X11 that is awesome and was about $100. You don't need a heavy duty rod to fish for anything but Kings and you really don't need a heavy duty rod for that either. Rods are like most tools, you'll have to get a couple to determine what you like (length/action/strength). Get something that can cast lighter weight lures. I like a 1/4 oz rating, but many of the cheaper rods will be rated at 3/8oz and up and will typically be stiffer action.
Reels: Diawa, Shimano, Pflueger, etc. You can get a good spinning reel for $75-$100. I like a 2500-3500 series for river fishing, but some prefer the larger ones. For casting reels I tend to spend a little more and look at Abu Garcia and Shimano in the $150-$200 range. Someone else might have some better suggestions for $100 casting reels.

[spokey9]

If $200 is your hard budget I'd suggest buying a okuma sst in the 8'6" to 9'6" range with a rating in the ballpark of 8-17lb line and a medium action. That rating will be a good multi specie rod, should be light enough for pinks and enough backbone to handle a king. A 9'6" would also double as a decent float rod. As for a reel, I'd suggest checking eBay for a used or refurbished Shimano curado or Abu Garcia stx for baitcasters. If you're a spinning reel guy, hard to go wrong with a Shimano Sahara in either the 3500 or 4000 size. These reels are tanks and can handle a good amount of abuse, same goes for the green curados and the stx in the first or second generation.

[bkawafishin]

If $200 is your hard budget I'd suggest buying a okuma sst in the 8'6" to 9'6" range with a rating in the ballpark of 8-17lb line and a medium action. That rating will be a good multi specie rod, should be light enough for pinks and enough backbone to handle a king. A 9'6" would also double as a decent float rod. As for a reel, I'd suggest checking eBay for a used or refurbished Shimano curado or Abu Garcia stx for baitcasters. If you're a spinning reel guy, hard to go wrong with a Shimano Sahara in either the 3500 or 4000 size. These reels are tanks and can handle a good amount of abuse, same goes for the green curados and the stx in the first or second generation.

What he said. I typically fish the puget sounds rivers, in which case this is what I would prefer:

Okuma SST Spinning Rod 9'6" 6-12lbs
Shimano Sahara 3000
Suffix 832 20lbs line

If I spent more time on coastal and OP rivers I would probably change it to:

Okuma SST Spinning Rod 9' 8-17lbs
Shimano Sahara 3000
Suffix 832 30lbs line

This is just what I find comfortable and would cover most fishing applications for under $200.

[machewbacca]

Depends on the type of fishing you plan on doing. If you're looking for a versatile setup, I would suggest a med/light-med weight rod, with fast action. 9-10' paired with a 3000 spinning reel. You can drift fish/float or jig with that rod. Should cover what you need. I personally would buy a better reel and sacrifice on the rod. Just my two cents. Good luck!

[FrostyAusty]

Thanks for all the responses guys, I truly appreciate it!
$200 isn't necessarily a hard budget since I have always loved fishing, just never had the time or financial resources to invest in it regularly. However, now it's a different story and I can spend a bit more and start to get out on the rivers more often, don't mind spending a bit more for quality, but I also have a wedding coming up so not sure how the fiance would feel with me spending extra income on tackle .
It seems like y'all have given me a few different places to start my search, which is awesome!
I will mainly be fishing from shoreline, drifting or using jigs or spoons/buzzbombs etc. I think the suggestions given so far would allow me to accomplish that.

Thanks again!

Austin

[riverhunter]

I go as light as possible. Better to detect bites and way more fun. I bought a Berkley air im8 last year and works just fine paired with a shimano symetre 2500 with 10lb line. Ive caught coho, chum and pinks on it and is great. Its a 9'6 light action rod rated for 6-10lbs. Those 8-17 lb okumas are to stiff for my liking. I also have other setups like a lamiglas 10'6 rated for 6-12 but thats my float rod.

[BlakeP]

Like most people said, the Okuma SST is a great rod. I'd go with a light action rod so you can feel more,so the 8-17lb SST might be a little bulky.
As for reels my favorite hands down is the Pflueger President, the size 35 being the best in my opinion. They're about 50-60$ and are one of the best reels for the price for sure.

[riverhunter]

For line I prefer izorline in the 10-12 lb range. No need for heavy line and no need for braided line unless you are float fishing so it all depends on what and how you are using it. If you are float fishing 15 lb braided works great

[dj2loud]

For line I prefer izorline in the 10-12 lb range. No need for heavy line and no need for braided line unless you are float fishing so it all depends on what and how you are using it. If you are float fishing 15 lb braided works great

I like the izor as well, stay far far away from chameleon maxima at all costs, super hard line with no flexibility, it's so stiff and uneasy to mend... I bought some thinking maxima was a good line, however after using their leader materials i found what was called by the manufacturer as "spool issues" when winding but when you can pull out the line and feel 3 divots in the line, smooth for a ft, then 3 divots in the line again on the entire spool something is wrong... It wasn't on the 8lb, but the 10lb to even 40lb leader all the same with " spooling issues" Maxima offered no refunds, no new line or anything... Screw em, i won't buy maxima.... And I SPOOL OFTEN!

[riverhunter]

Yep I don't buy maxima at all.

[FrostyAusty]

Thanks again guys, the line tips are super useful too.
Planning on goin' to purchase some gear on Friday then wake up early and try to check out the Snohomish to get in on the Pink Salmon action some point this weekend!
Time to do some research and see where I can park and have some shore access for these awesome looking fish. Lived in Seattle all my life and never caught a Salmon, time to change that.

Thanks,
Austin

[BentRod]

I've moved over to braid for everything. I like it's small diameter and sensitivity. I use 30# PowerPro, either original or super8slick. The original works fine on my spinning rods. It has many advantages, but also takes some getting used to. Almost all knots can be worked out with patience, so virtually no line loss when using a mono leader. this also prevents leaving line in the water after snagging bottom as the knot almost always breaks at the lure. However, the downside is that you're more likely to suffer tip wrap and if you're not willing to take the time to learn and deal with braid, then it can be frustrating (there are other things to watch out for too). If you're new to fishing in the rivers, then I recommend starting with all mono. I've settled on Maxima Ultragreen for my mono leaders. I've found it very reliable. I use 8, 10, and 12# depending on the application (typically 10# and 12# being the most used for salmon and Steelhead). Before I switched fully to braid, I had been spooling my reels with 10# mono. Sometimes it wasn't strong enough to land a hot Coho (maybe some of that was user error or the line I was using too), so tried spooling my reels with 12# mono. I found that to be to heavy and cumbersome for my lightweight rod/reels. I couldn't cast smaller lures very far. That was one of the many reasons I made the switch to braid. Once you're established and if you get two rods, you might try switching to braid on one rod while retaining mono on the other to determine the pros and cons and whether you like one over the other. Braid has zero stretch, so you don't have to set the hook as hard as when using mono, but you should lighten up your drag some as that zero stretch gives the fish more leverage when fighting the hook.

Good luck on making your choices on gear and hope you find some willing fish this weekend!

[riverhunter]

I like braided line for float fishing but the reason I stay with mono is for drift fishing. Braid tends to be lighter and can create youre lure to come off the bottom especially in faster water. Also no stretch while fighting fish which can create problems for some. Mono being a heavier line it will sink therefore allowing to freespool at times without having your line sitting on top of the water. Also has stretch to it so you dont have to worry about ripping the hook out of the fish mouth if you happen to not get a good hookset on it. Dont get me wrong braid is a good line for floatfishing as it will stay on top and create a dragfree drift especially when mending that mono will never be able to create. So I guess what I am trying to say is braid for float fishing and mono for drift fishing. If drift fishing the lighter rods help detects bites even when they are light bites.

[JoshH]

One thing to consider that you may not have yet is where you will be fishing. While the suggestions your are getting are fantastic, I can guaranty that at some bank fishing spots on the Snohomish you will not want anything to do with a 9 foot rod. Many great spots to fish are right under over-hanging trees, bushes to your left and right ECT. Now, there are a lot of more open access spots, but those will be elbow to elbow. Just throwing this out because a long rod like that will somewhat limit what spot you can fish. Just my opinion, but if you are going out for your first time and want to try and find a spot other that the popular bars, take a 6-7 foot rod with you. Nothing will frustrate you more than finding a spot but having zero ability to cast from it. Now, if you already have a spot or spots in mind and you know they are more open, yes the rods being suggested will work perfect. My opinion would be to go even less expensive on the rod. I actually like the 8"6' Okuma ROX medium light rod. Can get it for less than 50. As suggested spend more on the reel. Rod you can upgrade later if you get serious into it.

[FrostyAusty]

Right now i have an 8'6" Ugly stik but it has a trout reel setup on it. Would that be ok for these tight spaces? It's rated 6-12lb test I believe. If that rod would work for this type of fishing I will happily continue to use it and just spend a little more on a quality reel and purchase the rod at a later time!
Thanks again for the tips! Providing me with some info I hadn't thought about yet, very much appreciated!
Tight Lines!
Austin

[BentRod]

Yes, that will work just fine. What size trout reel? That might be sufficient too. A 2500 series will work just fine most of the time. My Shimano Symetre and Saros 3000s are both on 2500 frames. The drag is a little stronger and the spool a little larger, but that's all. Gearing is the same. Landed a 20# fresh King with the Saros a few weeks ago.

[FrostyAusty]

I believe it is a Shimano Syncopate 2500. Has 6lb test on it so I may need to re-spool the reel with something a bit stronger?
If my current gear sounds suitable for the pinks i'll just roll with that and continue to reference this thread for building a larger rod/reel when targeting bigger Salmon like Coho, or Steelhead. Nice congrats on the King, that sounds like fun. I think I might be going to the SKY instead either tomorrow or Saturday morning to try these fish. Looks like there might be a little more open shoreline in some places.

[spokey9]

If you already have an 8'6" ugly stick, I'd suggest just upgrading the reel and use that setup til you're sure river fishing is for you. Those are decent rods and I've seen a lot of fish pulled in on them over the years and that Stik will give ya a lil bit more forgiveness while you learn how to fight a hot fish in moving water than most other rods.

[BentRod]

I believe it is a Shimano Syncopate 2500. Has 6lb test on it so I may need to re-spool the reel with something a bit stronger?
If my current gear sounds suitable for the pinks i'll just roll with that and continue to reference this thread for building a larger rod/reel when targeting bigger Salmon like Coho, or Steelhead. Nice congrats on the King, that sounds like fun. I think I might be going to the SKY instead either tomorrow or Saturday morning to try these fish. Looks like there might be a little more open shoreline in some places.

If you're using mono, then spool up with some 8-10# for Pinks and Coho. 10# preferred for Coho, but the heavier test will result in less line you can put on the spool and you don't want to short yourself on line. Use your drag and your rod to fight the fish, don't horse them in, and you should be fine. Use a lighter leader if drifting cookies, bait, or Dick Nites, so if you do get hung up, the leader breaks, not the main line.

I've switched to braid for everything due to it's high strength and lower diameter, but braid is it's own beast, so I recommend starting with mono if you're not already. Braid can come later if you choose.