02-13-2009, 04:16 PM
snafu,
I agree with the previous reply. There is a large variation in what is needed depending on where you are going and the manner in which you fish. For the most part, salmon are not real large in Idaho. I would guess the average fish goes about 11 pounds. You may then think that you could get by with the same gear as B run steelhead -- they average about 12 pounds. Your 20 # rod is what is typically used on B run steelhead. However, this has not been my experience because of two things. First, salmon put on one heck of a fight early -- usually involving a run downstream. Second, you are typically dealing with large current since it is a spring -- early summer-- time of year.
The flip side is that it is not smart in these tough economic times to invest in equipment that will be one-time use. Hopefully if you do buy equipment, keep it cheap and think of ways to use it in your other activity -- or plan another trip for big boys.
I would not bank fish for salmon on the Little Salmon River or South Fork of the Salmon River with anything less than 30 # leader. That means my main line will be in the 35 to 80 # test range (depending on whether it is braided or mono). My minimum pole is 25 # rated and one has to be careful not to break such a rod. A good but cheap 30 # rod about nine foot long is recommended. Such a rod that accepts a spinning reel will work well with a cheap Cabelas Salt Striker spinning reel (buy a big one) and the combination should be less than $ 150.
On the main Salmon River, from a boat, in certain places, under certain circumstances (i.e. freedom to use the boat to run down the fish), your existing (undersized) equipment could land a 25 pound salmon without much difficulty.
Most of the fish are not caught on plugs but on on roe, tuna fish or yarn. Plugs used include hot shots and flatfish such as Luhr Jensen K-14 series in a variety of colors.
I hope that helps.
FR
[signature]
I agree with the previous reply. There is a large variation in what is needed depending on where you are going and the manner in which you fish. For the most part, salmon are not real large in Idaho. I would guess the average fish goes about 11 pounds. You may then think that you could get by with the same gear as B run steelhead -- they average about 12 pounds. Your 20 # rod is what is typically used on B run steelhead. However, this has not been my experience because of two things. First, salmon put on one heck of a fight early -- usually involving a run downstream. Second, you are typically dealing with large current since it is a spring -- early summer-- time of year.
The flip side is that it is not smart in these tough economic times to invest in equipment that will be one-time use. Hopefully if you do buy equipment, keep it cheap and think of ways to use it in your other activity -- or plan another trip for big boys.
I would not bank fish for salmon on the Little Salmon River or South Fork of the Salmon River with anything less than 30 # leader. That means my main line will be in the 35 to 80 # test range (depending on whether it is braided or mono). My minimum pole is 25 # rated and one has to be careful not to break such a rod. A good but cheap 30 # rod about nine foot long is recommended. Such a rod that accepts a spinning reel will work well with a cheap Cabelas Salt Striker spinning reel (buy a big one) and the combination should be less than $ 150.
On the main Salmon River, from a boat, in certain places, under certain circumstances (i.e. freedom to use the boat to run down the fish), your existing (undersized) equipment could land a 25 pound salmon without much difficulty.
Most of the fish are not caught on plugs but on on roe, tuna fish or yarn. Plugs used include hot shots and flatfish such as Luhr Jensen K-14 series in a variety of colors.
I hope that helps.
FR
[signature]