Is an 8wt fly rod good for salmon?


Sharing is Caring


They’re definitely strong, just a bit different than Silvers. People often use the same fly rod to target Silver Salmon and Chum Salmon. There’s nothing wrong with using an 8wt single-handed rod for both species.

What weight fly rod for Alaskan salmon?

Seven and 8-weight rods with floating or sink tip lines are ideal for the silvers and chums and Sockeyes. Pinks can be fished effectively with 5 or 6-weight rods. Use a floating line and a sparsely tied and lightly weighted fly pattern, for sometimes almost nonstop action.

What fly rod should I use for salmon?

An ideal fly rod for salmon is a 9′ 9-weight fast action rod. Also, a lifetime or 25-year warranty is ideal as well. A 9 weight provides the backbone to turn a +25 pound salmon, but still has the flexibility to cast large streamers and heavily weighted flies.

Where is the best fly fishing in Washington State?

  • The Yakima River. Bigger isn’t always better, but for Washington’s longest river, it is.
  • The Skagit River.
  • The Hoh River.
  • The Stillaguamish River.
  • The Sauk River.
  • The Skykomish River.
  • The Bogachiel River.
  • The Grande Ronde River.

Is a 7wt fly rod good for salmon?

Many of our guests also use 7 weights when targeting some salmon species (sockeye, chums, pink, and silver salmon) and pike as well. Although larger rods in the 8 or 9 weight range can make easier work of casting heavy flies/rigs and fighting larger species, a 7 weight is able to get the job done in most circumstances.

What is a 10 weight fly rod good for?

10wt fly rods are pretty good for casting heavier and larger dry flies. Plus, they’re great at for casting over longer distances against the wind. In addition, 10wts are a good choice when it comes to fishing from different positions such as standing on the boat or from the shoreline.

How do you pick a salmon rod?

YouTube video

How long should a salmon rod be?

Rod length โ€“ 9’6โ€ณ allows you to mend line in both float and drift fishing applications which are the most popular techniques for salmon fishing in rivers. 10’6โ€ณ is ideal for float fishing, but 9’6โ€ณ will work in many conditions and is more optimal for drift fishing.

Can you use a 5 weight fly rod for salmon?

A 5 weight fly fishing rod is a versatile rod suitable for catching freshwater fish like perch, trout, small bass and salmon. It is the most common fly fishing rod used in a variety of locations including streams, rivers and lakes by fly fishing anglers.

Is a 6WT fly rod good for salmon?

A 6-weight fly rod is the perfect size freshwater rod for casting streamers, dry flies and nymphs. It is the middle ground between lighter weight rods (3wt to 5wt) and heavier fly rods at 7wt and up. Six weights can be setup for every size trout, all sizes of bass and smaller salmon and steelhead.

Is an 8wt too big for trout?

The 8-Weight Rod This rod is ideal for stripers, redfish, black drum, sea trout, flounder, largemouth and smallmouth bass, carp, catfish, snakeheads, pickerel, bluefish, pike, bonefish, big trout, salmon, small tarpon and can be used for panfish.

How heavy should a salmon rod be?

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.

What lake in Washington has the biggest trout?

Rock Lake For those who have their sights set on giant browns, look no further than Rock Lake. As the largest natural lake in eastern Washington, Rock Lake covers 2,189 acres and stretches for nearly 7 miles through the desert landscape.

Where is the best salmon fishing in Washington State?

The best chum salmon fishing in Washington is typically in Hood Canal, and in particular around the hatchery at Hoodsport. Another hot spot closer to home for many is near the fish hatchery at Minter Creek, located near the end of Carr Inlet less than 20 minutes from Gig Harbor.

Where is the best trout fishing in Washington State?

South Central Washington’s Best: Yakima River The Yakima is without a doubt considered by most veteran anglers to be the best trout fly fishing river in Washington, and it’s one of the only trout streams in the state that fly fishermen from Oregon and Idaho will travel to Washington to fish.

What can you catch with a 7wt fly rod?

  • Large trout.
  • Steelhead.
  • Largemouth and smallmouth bass.
  • Carp.
  • Bonefish.
  • Redfish.
  • Small stripers.
  • Smaller pike and pickerel.

How big of a fish can a 7 wt fly rod handle?

By adding a 7 weight to the quiver, you’ll be able to cover just about everything from large trout, to bass and carp. Don’t forget steelhead and a few inshore saltwater species. With most anglers already owning a 5 weight, the 7 weight is a perfect next rod to have.

What size fly rod for king salmon?

Fly Rods: Ten, eleven and surprisingly twelve weight rods, with stiff butts , are required to fight King Salmon, the largest of the Pacific Salmon. Graphite models are the best choice, due to their lightness, strength and casting ability. Length of rod should be 9 feet.

What is a 12 wt fly rod used for?

11- and 12-weight Fly Rods These are good choices when fishing heavy Saltwater applications and are specifically built for large saltwater species such as adult tarpon.

Should I get an 8 wt or 9wt fly rod?

With all of this said, if you can only get ONE rod for general heavy freshwater and saltwater fly fishing, an 8-weight should be a solid pick. However, if you fish with larger flies, often face windy conditions, have shots at big fish and/or fish around a lot of structure and cover, the 9 can give you an added edge.

What is a 9 weight fly rod used for?

9wt fly rods are designed for allowing anglers to remain calm and anxiety-free, especially when it comes to hard pulling fishes, such as carp or salmon . The 9wt is the muscle-car of fly rods!

What size reel do you need for salmon fishing?

Most of the time I would say that the best reels for salmon are the 3500 or 4000 size reels which are great for most great lakes rivers where you are able to walk the bank and chase running salmon if you need to.

Can you catch salmon with a fly rod?

Fly fishing anglers can target almost any type of salt or freshwater fish, including king salmon. The key to salmon fly fishing for beginners is to master the cast since in this type of fishing, you’re casting the line and not the lure. When fly fishing for salmon, setup is a critical component to casting success.

What do you need for salmon fishing?

But for salmon fishing, you may want to already look for an 8.5 to 9 feet long fishing rod and a variety of fishing lines to suit your catch (for example, a 20-25 lb. line for Chinook salmon and 10-15 lb. for Pink Salmon). You may also need a non-corrosive reel for fishing in saltwater.

What colors do salmon see best?

The colors that show up in the deepest water are greens, blues and blacks. All glow lures glow green. In addition, Ultra Violet colors can be added to your tackle box, as they show up at all depths. While we can’t see UV colors, salmon see them very well.

Craving More Content?

Safe Harbor Fishing