New to salmon/steelhead fishing

Bait Bucket · 01-05-2004, 05:26 PM

Hey there guys and gals. I retired and moved out here from Virginia last August. I am primarily a bird hunter and I have fished all of my life. Some of you may recall that I stated in my very first post that I don't know a darn thing about salmon fishing. I'm in the process of equipping myself for the adventure. I'm looking at one of those larger North River boats and if all goes as planned I should have one in the beginning of summer. So stand by, Rauly. I will probably be on the phone with you with a ton of questions.

I also need to get educated on rods and reels. What do you folks recommend I start looking at? Brand names, models, etc. Any price bracket is fine. I know this is about like asking 50 bird hunters what they think is the best shotgun. I will certainly get 50 different answers. That's OK folks. I will listen to everyone at this point.

Thanks and I will probably have a few follow-on questions.

Silver Ghost · 01-05-2004, 05:38 PM

Any idea of whether you would like a spinning rod or a casting rod?

I have always liked Lamiglas's rods. They stand behind their product, and I have used and abused mine without any problems.

As for reels you can't go wrong with a Shimano. They are very smooth and built too last.

I would recommend at least an 8'6" rod and a reel that can handle 8-10lbs line.

I fish a Lamiglas rod with a Shimano Stradic spinning reel most of the time and love the setup for drift fishing and fishing jigs under a float.

Hope this helps, if you would like I can through you some more of my $.02 :smile:

Bait Bucket · 01-05-2004, 05:46 PM

Thanks for the start. My only experience with Shimano has been with bill fishing on the east coast. I don't know much about their small reels.

TYEE-FISHER · 01-05-2004, 05:49 PM

I second Lamiglas rods and Shimano reels. Lamiglas has great rods with (my experience) excellent support if there is failure. Shimano reels for me have been just plain dependable. I fish Calcutta from the boat and Curado from the bank. Size of reel and rod depending on how and where. Nothing to specific just my $.02

[ 01-05-2004, 06:50 PM: Message edited by: TYEE-FISHER ]

Bait Bucket · 01-08-2004, 03:43 PM

I'll bump this once. Maybe I can get another recommendation. Thanks....

FishinTechnician · 01-08-2004, 04:09 PM

BB, welcome to the NW. I too recently retired and have served with a Marine (Gen Wilhelm) or two over the years and moved out from VA just this past Sept. Was born and raised here so I know a little about the fishing here. Have come out the past three Springs just for Springers alone and believe me when I say the drive was worth it! Hit my moniker and drop me an email and maybe we can hook up for a trip. Just bought a 22' Fish Rite w/200hp Optimax and 9.9 Merc troller. I'm going with Lamiglas rods. Where in the heck is Viola?

Fish Hawg · 01-08-2004, 04:15 PM

I like the G-loomis rods In a Hot shot model.

HSR981c Is a 10-20# 3/8-4oz.
HSR982c 12-25# 1/2-5oz
HSR1023c 12-25# 1/2-5oz

The 981 and 983 are one pice rods that are 8'2" and the 1023 is a two pice 8'6" rod. Any One of those rods Will work great for salmon, and they make a good drift rod also. My favorite is the 982 IMO it is the best all around salmon rod.

For steelhead I would go with a G-loomis STR 1024c It is a two pice 8'6" 8-12# 3/8-3/4oz rod.

If had to use only salmon rod It would be the 982. And Only one steelhead rod it would be the 1024. Just my $0.02. Hope this helps....Ross

[ 01-08-2004, 05:18 PM: Message edited by: Fish Hawg ]

Gus Orviston · 01-08-2004, 05:11 PM

options are endless. You say you are getting a boat, but how do you think you will fish, and for which big fish or more specifically what river(s), or estuaries? Fishing the larger rivers on hook, you probably won't need to outfit the boat with 4-5 expensive rods and reels. KISS. Get a few abu 5500, and North River Rods, or Berkleys for fishing nooks. If you are filling the boat up with newbies, then high end stuff is going to get abused. Hold out one spendy rod for yourself.

If you are fishing the clack for steelies and get into side drifting, or drift fishing then the higher caliber rod is needed a bit more.

Refine what/how you will be fishing; plugs, drift, trolling, side drifting, bobber AND where you think you want to do it; B10, Columbia/Willy, Sandy/Clack. One rod/reel doesn't do it all very well, so would be helpful to know more.

Great sales coming up at the sportsman show in the next month or so.

gus

SHOUGALNITE · 01-09-2004, 05:42 AM

welcome to the great n.w.

justdave · 01-09-2004, 06:24 PM

BB,
Welcome to the great NW. Some of the above posts have asked for more specifics which are important. Lots of options in just about any price range for any type of fishing. Just go to Fishermans, Sportmans, Joes, or where ever and play with all of 'em 'til one feels right in your hands. Match up several reels on each one and play with 'em. If they don't feel right to you, you won't enjoy fishing with them. If they think you're a serious buyer, they'll spend all the time you need and most of the stores have a very knowlegable staff with many years of fishing our area. You'll probably end up like most of us, with several setups in varying price ranges and a rod for every occasion. The fishing opportunitis are limitless in this state. You'll find your favorite spots to fish, types of fish to target, and the method that works best for you. There was a thread a week or two ago about how many fish you caught in 2003. My answer was 25 or 6 different species, on quite a few more bodies of water. Hope you enjoy finding your favorites.

Silver Hilton · 01-09-2004, 07:14 PM

If you're not in any great hurry, I'd take a drive to the various spots you see people talking about here, and see what kind of gear is being used there. Some of the places you'll like the looks of more than others. Look at what the guys who are carying fish have. Most folks are plenty willing to answer the question, "Nice rod, mind if I ask what it is? "

Either ambassaduer 5500/5501 or shimano Curado 200/201 are fairly standard for around here. A Shimano Sahara 2000 or 4000 will be pretty good for a spinning reel. Fall Chinooks will require heavier gear than this.

8 1/2 to 9 ft is pretty standard for a casting rod length. Some folks will use longer rods. 8 1/2 to as long as 11 feet are what people like for spinning rods for float fishing. If you're not already comfortable with a casting reel, I'd start with a spinning reel.

That and a few bucks in the lure aisles will get you going. Again, a scouting trip will show you what you need. Just cruise the boat ramp at 3 to 4 o'clock, and see what's on people's rods.

Good luck, and welcome to the Northwest.

ORoutdoorsman · 01-09-2004, 11:19 PM

As far as bank fishing goes, I would get two rods. One that is light, medium to medium heavy action and is about 10-20 lb line capable. I would also get one rod that is something like a light or fast action. The heavier one for stronger current and more agressive fish, the lighter of the two for steelhead fishin when the bite is reeeeeeeeeeal light. For the heavier, I have just a $59 lamiglas, so any good quality one you like will do. But for the real sensitive, I like the G-loomis fast action, I think it is 8-12lb line capable. It is pretty much universally $280 smackers, but it feels great, and isnt too loosey goosey. As far as reels, get whatever set up feels best for you. When it boild right down to it, the best rod to have is the one you are comfortable casting and catching with.