What pound test is your line?

[First Bite]

I'm just curious what most people use when fishing for Salmon and Steelhead here in the NW. Over the years I've changed my line test a number of times and now feel comfortable with what I'm currently using. Especially with spinning gear.

Winter steelhead:
Baitcasting reel 12# mainline; 10# leader.
Spinning reel for jigs 10# mainline.

Summer steelhead:
Spinning reel 6-8# mainline; 6# leader when drift fishing using bait. I used to use 4# test but now I don't think it's necessary.

Spring Chinook:
Baitcasting reel 30# mainline; 25#leader
Spinning reel 15# mainline when using jigs.

Fall Chinook:
Baitcasting reel 30# mainline; 25# leader. Sometimes I'll use 40# mainline and leader if I'm in tidewater where there's a lot of brush and you have to put the screws to em.

So what do you spool up with?
Mark


www.firstcastjigs.com

[SteelieSteve]

Maxima always.
Winter steelheading: 10 or 12 pound mainline, 10 or 12 leader.
Summer Steelhead: 10 & 8# mainline, 6 to 10 # leader, hooks 1/0 to 4's.
Springers: 20 to 25# mainline, 15 to 25# leaders.
Fall Chinooks 20 to 30# mainline, 20 to 25# leaders.(Adapt to conditions). [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[dawhunt]

Summer steelhead line 10lb leader 6lb
winter " " 10lb " 8lb
salmon spring & fall 50lb tuff line
leader 25lb maxima green
sturgeon of the bank line 30lb excell
leader 80lb dacron
" out of boat line 80lb tuff line
leader 80lb dacron

[ 05-27-2001: Message edited by: dawhunt ]

[Penn]

Now for steelies I use nothing but magnathin. 12 main with 8 leader for winters. 18 main for coho. 10 main and 6 leader for summers.
But for Springers I go with maxima ultragreen 20. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[HOGTIDE]

Winter Steelhead: 10 & 10
Summer Steelhead: 8 & 8
Spring Salmon: 25 & 25
Fall Salmon: 25 & 25....#50 Tuffline in Deepwater

*Maxima Chameleon For Everything...it aint pretty or pliable, but I can't seem to break it.

[SandyRiverFisher]

15# mainline with 6-10# leader for steelhead on my drift rod.

Bobber fishing for Salmon, 30-50# mainline, 20-25# leaders.

[willierower]

It all depends on water conditions and where Im fishing.
I use anywhere from 15 to 8lb mainline for steelhead. With leaders going from 12 to 6lb test. Ive even used 4lb for steelhead. I use 10lb main and 8lb leader for 75% of my
steelhead fishing.
For salmon it depends on water conditions and the type of water Im fishing. I rarely use anything over 30lb. I use 35lb tuff line with 25lb leaders with Kwikfish. Back bouncing I use the 35lb tuff line with 15 to 20 lb leaders. Bobber fishing, 20 and 15. Lately, Drift fishing for springers Ive been useing 12 main with 10 leaders and I havent had a fish break off yet, They just throw the hook.
There is one metod I use when chasing fall fish in tide water where the lighter the line the better. 12lb is about the best. No, Im not going to explain this method. But it does outfish about every other method out there. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
Jig fishing for steelhead I use 8lb Maxima Ultra Green. It out casts 10 and is stronger than most other 10lb line.

[fishbait]

Bobber fishing for Kings
80 lb tuff, 40 or 50 leader

backbouncing for kings, 50 or 80 tuff, 40 or 50 leader

Fall or Spring, these fish are not line or leader shy.

Bobber fishing for silvers, 12 lb fireline, 10 lb maxima leaders

Steelhead, winter, 12 lb max or big game
Summer, 12 lp main, 8 or 6 max leader

[Wog]

Winter steelhead:
12# Mainline; 10# Leader

Summer Steelhead:
8-6# Mainline; 6-4# Leader

Spring Chinook:
15# Mainline; 15-12# Leader

Fall Chinook:
30# Mainline; 30-25# Leader

[bob b]

Steelhead, 12lb.Maxima Chameleon,leader 6 to 12lbs,depending on water conditions. Salmon trolling ocean or tidewater, 30lb.spiderline,leader 25 to 30lb.Maxima Chameleon. Upriver I'll sometimes go to a lighter leader bobber fishing.

[Sand Shrimp]

My line and leaders vary depending on water clarity and height.

Winter Steelhead
12lb mainline 10-12lb leader

Summer Steelhead
6-8lb mainline 4-6lb leader

Spring Chinook
15lb mainline and leader

Fall Chinook
25-30lb mainline 20-30lb leader

[Killertraylor]

20 or 25 lb. Maxima for both Sturgeon and Salmon. 30 lb. leaders on springers and 40lb. leaders on fall chinook (sharp teeth!) and 80 lb. dacron for sturgeon.

[TH]

Fall Chinook
Bay/Ocean
25# High Impact Sten in Hi-vis green
#40 Maxima UG leaders
15# Maxima hi-vis pink lead droppers :eek
Sampo/Rosco swivels and duoloc's

Fall Chinook
Rivers
#30 fireline (back-bouncing)
#15-#20 UG leaders

Winter steelies
Brats
12# UG Maxima baitcaster
20# flame Fireline spinning reels (float fishing, side drifting)
8-10# UG leaders

Natives
12# UG baitcasters
20# flame fireline float fishing
10# leaders

Springers

#25 Stren High Impact hi-vis green
#20 leaders


Thanks for letting me play!

[LAYthe5]

Maxima, Maxima, Maxima. I rarely if never break off with it. Steelhead casting 15lb, Plugging drop to 10 or 12lb to get your plug down(decrease bouyancy). Springers I use 25lb mainline, 20 0r 25 leaders. Fall chinook I go up to 30lb for the hogs.

LTF [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]