When salmon fishing, choosing the right pound test line is crucial for success. The pound test refers to the amount of weight a line can withstand before breaking. Using line that is too light can result in lost fish and gear. Going too heavy impairs lure action and detectability. So what is the ideal balance? Here are some recommendations from experienced salmon anglers:
Key Factors to Consider
The optimum pound test depends on several factors
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Species – Chinook and coho salmon require heavier line than pinks or sockeye due to their size and strength
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Location – Heavier line is needed in areas with fast currents or where snags are common Lighter line can be used in slower waters.
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Time of Year – During peak season when salmon are aggressive, lighter line in the 15-25 lb range may work. In colder months, go heavier from 25-40 lbs for lethargic fish.
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Terminal Tackle – Bait requires heavier line than lures. If using hardware like flashers, 40-50 lb leader material is recommended.
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Fishing Method – Trollers can get away with lighter line than drifters or moochers since the boat helps tire out fish.
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Rod Length/Power – Longer, more powerful rods allow you to gain leverage over powerful fish. Shorter rods need heavier line to compensate.
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Forecasted Conditions – In rough seas or strong winds, bump your pound test up by 5-10.
Recommended Line Tests by Technique
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Trolling: 15-25 lb mainline, 25-40 lb leader
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Drift Fishing: 20-30 lb mainline, 30-50 lb leader
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Mooching: 25-40 lb mainline, 40-60 lb leader
In most cases, anglers opt for hi-vis yellow or green lines for easy monitoring. Fluorocarbon leaders are ideal for invisibility. When bait fishing, swivel size should match the pound test.
Considerations by Species
Chinook – 30 lb minimum mainline, 40-50 lb leader due to their size and strength. Go as heavy as 50/60 in fast currents.
Coho – Can be caught on 20 lb mainline and 30 lb leader. Use 25/40 in heavier flows or near snags.
Sockeye – 15-20 lb mainline and 20-30 lb leader works well. They have less stamina than other salmon.
Pink – Light 10-15 lb line can work when numbers are high. Otherwise use 15-20 lb with a 20-30 lb leader.
Chum – Often caught incidentally by salmon anglers. Use the same pound tests recommended for your target species.
Tips for Landing More Fish
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Check line after each trip for nicks and frays. Replace often.
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Use knots like the palomar and improved clinch for maximum strength.
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When fishing heavy currents, consider using a downrigger to get your gear down deep.
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Adjust drag settings to avoid snap offs but still allow line to peel on hook sets.
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Use a long-handled net and avoid pulling fish over rails.
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Keep the rod tip up and reel down on hook sets to prevent pullouts.
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Let the rod and reel do the work, avoid excessive hand-lining.
Finding the right pound test line is a balancing act based on your target species, technique, and conditions. With salmon, it’s generally better to err on the side of heavier line. Start with the recommendations here, then fine tune based on what works for your particular fishery. The key is landing more fish while losing less gear.
How do I safely dispose of old fishing line?
If you’re like most anglers, you have more than one fishing rod. And this means, when you respool your reels you’ll likely have a lot of old fishing line.
How do you properly dispose of old fishing line?
Depending on where you’re from, and where you fish, there may be fishing line collection options near you. At various fishing spots around Alaska, there may be large PVC tubes posted on poles providing anglers an opportunity to dispose of old fishing line while they are out fishing.
You can also check with your local fishing tackle supply store as some retailers offer opportunities to dispose of used fishing line. Berkley offers a fishing line recycling program. Contact your local recycling center and see if old fishing line is accepted there.
If you have no other option but to throw old fishing line in the trash, one thing to do would be to wind the line around your hand and cut the line into small pieces. Wildlife and pets can inadvertently get caught in whole lines while scavenging through trash and some birds might try to use fishing line for their nests. Lastly, put the line in a bag or other container, tie it up, and dispose of it at your local landfill.
The Big Three: Monofilament, Braid, and Fluorocarbon
There are several sources available to anglers that go into great detail about fishing line. A simple Google search turns up a considerable number of links regarding how to choose your next fishing line and other aspects related to fishing line. One could spend hours researching the finer details of fishing line.
We’ll try to give a brief overview of the differences in the three main types of fishing line available to anglers.
The most common type of fishing line is monofilament. Monofilament line is made from a single-fiber plastic line that is made in various tensile strengths, basically how much a line will stretch before breaking. Mono also comes in a variety of colors, such as clear, green, blue, fluorescent, and red.
Mono is a good versatile fishing line for most angling applications, primarily because it has more stretch, which can be useful when fishing powerful fish. However, mono tends to degrade faster than other types of fishing line and should be replaced yearly, if not more often. In addition, mono that is left on a spool for a period of time has the tendency to come off of the spool in coils, called “memory.” Lines with a lot of memory can lead to backlash and time spent untangling line rather than fishing.
A great knot to use with mono is the improved clinch knot.
Braided lines are constructed using individual strands of man-made fibers such as Dyneema® or Spectra® that are joined together (braided) to form a single line. It’s likely that the first fishing lines were constructed of braided materials. Braided line is thinner than mono, with the same breaking strength rating that applies to mono lines, meaning that the overall diameter of a mono line that is rated at 20-pound test is larger than the overall diameter of a braided line of the same 20-pound rating.
Braided line has less memory, therefore, it has less stretch than mono line and can last a bit longer on the reel. In addition, braided line is more resistant to abrasions than mono. Specific knots, such as the Palomar or uni knot need to be used when working with braided line. While some anglers choose to tie braided line directly to a lure or hook, some anglers who use braided line will run a mono or fluorocarbon leader from the main braided running line to the lure or hook.
Fluorocarbon lines are denser when compared to mono lines. As a result, fluorocarbon lines tend to sink faster than mono line, and are more highly abrasion resistant. Although fluorocarbon line is more sensitive than mono, it is less visible under water. However, fluorocarbon can be a bit more expensive than mono.
Choosing the RIGHT LINE for Salmon/Fundamental Fishing
FAQ
What pound test is best for salmon fishing?
Typical drift fishing gear includes an 8 1/2- or 9-foot rod rated for 15-30 pound line, and either a bait casting reel or a spinning reel. For larger fish, like Chinook salmon, use 20-25 pound line. For smaller fish, like pink salmon, use 10-15 pound line.
Is an 8lb line good for salmon?
For Salmon fishing you will want a 8-10 wt. rod with floating or sink tip line depending upon where you are fishing. If you have two spools or reels one with floating line and one with sink tip it makes for an easy transition. If you can only bring one rod for all species a 7 wt. is very universal.
What is the best line to use for salmon fishing?
Fluorocarbon is quite possibly the best of both worlds. Low memory, abrasion resistant, strong, and low visibility in the water. But the higher cost of most fluorocarbon lines can be a barrier to some.
What lb test for silver salmon?
FLY TACKLE: A 7- to 9-weight, 9- to 10-foot rod with matching reel with ample drag is a smart starting point for Alaska silver salmon. Attach a floating line to a 100 yards of backing, and use leader material that is a little heavier, we suggest in the 15- to 25-pound-test range.
What Pound Test line should I use for salmon?
Salmon species are known for their strength and power. Therefore, choosing the right pound test line is crucial for a successful catch. For smaller species such as Coho, a line of 8-12 lb test is adequate. However, for larger species like Chinook, a line of 20-30 lb test is recommended.
What is a pound test for salmon fishing?
In simple terms, pound test is the amount of weight a fishing line can hold before breaking. When it comes to salmon fishing, choosing the right pound test is crucial. If your line is too light, it will break easily and you risk losing your catch. On the other hand, if your line is too heavy, it can be difficult to cast and may scare away the fish.
How do you test a salmon line?
Breaking strength: Test lines with various breaking strengths to handle the size of salmon you’re targeting. Larger salmon may require a higher breaking strength. Line weight rating: Consider the weight rating of your rod and reel when testing pound lines. A too heavy line can strain your equipment and affect lure casting ability.
What is a pound line for salmon fishing?
Pound line refers to the strength or weight rating of fishing lines. It indicates how much weight the line can handle before breaking. Choosing the correct pound line is crucial for successful salmon fishing. The recommended pound line range for salmon fishing is 12 to 16 pounds. This strength is suitable for most salmon species.
How much should a salmon test weigh?
Here are some guidelines based on those factors: The size and weight of salmon vary depending on the species and location. For larger salmon species such as Chinook or King Salmon found in Alaska or British Columbia waters, it is recommended to use a higher pound test between 25-40 lbs.
What is the best fishing line for salmon?
The best fishing line for salmon depends on your technique. For trolling, 20-30 pound test monofilament or 40-65 pound test braid in certain situations is best. Drift fishing, plunking and float fishing in rivers for salmon demands more subtlety so 10-20 pound test copolymer or braided mainline with appropriate leaders is ideal.