New Salmon setup advice needed

[magnanimous_j]

I’m looking to get a new salmon set up for this summer. I will be fishing primarily from shore and pier in the Puget Sound. I’ve got a 10’5” rod with a Abu Garcia baitcaster, but it’s a huge pain in the ass. I’m looking for a spincaster that won’t rip apart and big enough to comfortably haul an angry salmon up a 10’ fishing pier, and also a rod that can get some distance, but not as cumbersome as the monster I’ve got now that barely fits in the car if I DON’T have it put together.

I appreciate any suggestions.

[h20hunter]

I don't but can tell you a crab ring make a pretty decent fish pull'er uppper when pier fishing.

[wildmanoutdoors]

I dont think anyone makes a spincast reel worthy of even a 10 pound salmon. There mostly for kids and crappie fisherman. Maybe you should be looking for a spinning reel setup.

[magnanimous_j]

I dont think anyone makes a spincast reel worthy of even a 10 pound salmon. There mostly for kids and crappie fisherman. Maybe you should be looking for a spinning reel setup.

lol, you're right. That's what I meant.

[snowpack]

Do you know if winds/currents support using balloons or a big drift float (like a sail line)?
If that is too much of a hassle, can you get one of the multipiece surf fishing rods?

[huntnphool]

I don't but can tell you a crab ring make a pretty decent fish pull'er uppper when pier fishing.

I have a buddy that fishes the Edmonds pier a lot and that's what all the guys there use.

He uses a standard heavy spinning rod and reel and does pretty well, nothing too special Mags.

[magnanimous_j]

I don't but can tell you a crab ring make a pretty decent fish pull'er uppper when pier fishing.

That's a great idea.

He uses a standard heavy spinning rod and reel and does pretty well, nothing too special Mags.

What line weight do you use?

[Buzz2401]

The Penn Battle is a great spinning reel, and comes in a variety of sizes.

[h20hunter]

For pier fishing I have always used a braided line for all types of fishing. You get a smaller line diameter and much more abrasion resistance.

[huntnphool]

I don't but can tell you a crab ring make a pretty decent fish pull'er uppper when pier fishing.

That's a great idea.

He uses a standard heavy spinning rod and reel and does pretty well, nothing too special Mags.

What line weight do you use?

I don't fish the piers since I have a boat, but I will ask him to give me his gear details and get back with you.

[huntnphool]

Just got this from my buddy Mags, hope it helps you out.

Hi Rob,
The gear is basically like good river steelhead gear.
The key is being able to cast a good distance. We use 1-1/2 oz to 2-1/2 oz lead jigs that are similar to buzz bombs, so your line weight has to be 15 lb to 20 lb test or you will break the line while casting. A 25 lb salmon will give it a good test too. Some like braid because it won't break as easily if the fish goes under the pier and the line touches a piling with sharp barnacles. Also, the rod needs to be rated for casting 1-to-3 oz lures. A 7 or 8 ft rod Med-Heavy "MH" is a good choice and a reel that can hold some good line yardage. It doesn't need to be expensive. I like the Shimano Spheros 8000, the Penn Battle 6000 or Okuma makes some decent reels. Spend about $100 to $150 for a hefty mid-size Saltwater rated reel.
Starting out you can find rod reel combos for about $70 at Walmart or Fred Meyer that will be adequate in the beginning.
Pier fishing is hard work and you'll slowly build up muscles for casting. Some don't like the work. You can also just put a herring on a hook about 5 feet below a float and stand around. Lingcod fishing is a whole different thing, and a sport fishing shop like "SportCo' can give out specialty info on that. Also, you'll need a law degree to understand the Fishing license rules. Good luck.

[wildmanoutdoors]

One of the guys I know well fishes Dash pt pier. He uses a 10.5 foot rod with a line rating of 10 to 40 and 1 to 8 ounces of weight rating. His is a Loomis SAR1265 C and a Calcutta 400 with 50 pound braid.

They cast Mooching sinkers a country mile then slowly retrieve there cut plugs back in. And net there fish with crab rings also.

Sounds like you want to get away from the 10.5 footers and baitcasters though.

[magnanimous_j]

Just got this from my buddy Mags, hope it helps you out.

Hi Rob,
The gear is basically like good river steelhead gear.
The key is being able to cast a good distance. We use 1-1/2 oz to 2-1/2 oz lead jigs that are similar to buzz bombs, so your line weight has to be 15 lb to 20 lb test or you will break the line while casting. A 25 lb salmon will give it a good test too. Some like braid because it won't break as easily if the fish goes under the pier and the line touches a piling with sharp barnacles. Also, the rod needs to be rated for casting 1-to-3 oz lures. A 7 or 8 ft rod Med-Heavy "MH" is a good choice and a reel that can hold some good line yardage. It doesn't need to be expensive. I like the Shimano Spheros 8000, the Penn Battle 6000 or Okuma makes some decent reels. Spend about $100 to $150 for a hefty mid-size Saltwater rated reel.
Starting out you can find rod reel combos for about $70 at Walmart or Fred Meyer that will be adequate in the beginning.
Pier fishing is hard work and you'll slowly build up muscles for casting. Some don't like the work. You can also just put a herring on a hook about 5 feet below a float and stand around. Lingcod fishing is a whole different thing, and a sport fishing shop like "SportCo' can give out specialty info on that. Also, you'll need a law degree to understand the Fishing license rules. Good luck.

Perfect. Thanks man. I especially like that it can double for a steelhead rig.

[wildmanoutdoors]

Just got this from my buddy Mags, hope it helps you out.

Hi Rob,
The gear is basically like good river steelhead gear.
The key is being able to cast a good distance. We use 1-1/2 oz to 2-1/2 oz lead jigs that are similar to buzz bombs, so your line weight has to be 15 lb to 20 lb test or you will break the line while casting. A 25 lb salmon will give it a good test too. Some like braid because it won't break as easily if the fish goes under the pier and the line touches a piling with sharp barnacles. Also, the rod needs to be rated for casting 1-to-3 oz lures. A 7 or 8 ft rod Med-Heavy "MH" is a good choice and a reel that can hold some good line yardage. It doesn't need to be expensive. I like the Shimano Spheros 8000, the Penn Battle 6000 or Okuma makes some decent reels. Spend about $100 to $150 for a hefty mid-size Saltwater rated reel.
Starting out you can find rod reel combos for about $70 at Walmart or Fred Meyer that will be adequate in the beginning.
Pier fishing is hard work and you'll slowly build up muscles for casting. Some don't like the work. You can also just put a herring on a hook about 5 feet below a float and stand around. Lingcod fishing is a whole different thing, and a sport fishing shop like "SportCo' can give out specialty info on that. Also, you'll need a law degree to understand the Fishing license rules. Good luck.

Perfect. Thanks man. I especially like that it can double for a steelhead rig.

Im not sure why that first sentence is in there? Like good steelhead gear?

I have never seen size 6000 to 8000 size reels on a river. Thats MASSIVE! And a rod capable of casting 2.5 oz's o lead would be a serious beefstick. A setup like this is specialized Pier and if long enough, surf fishing gear only.
Its far to massive to even fish rivers for Salmon IMO.

Thats why Id stay with cheaper stuff. Your only going to want to use it for chucking big weight!

[ffbowhunter]

I really like my pflugerville purist spinning rod 4000 series will do.  Best of luck.