Ocean rod/bait caster?

I'm not sure if I have the right terms listed or not, but here is my question.  I am in the infancy of building the gear I need for successful yak fishing.  I have several spinning rods but and curious if I need something else. 

I'd like to begin targeting salmon, both in the ocean and rivers.  What rod/ reel combinations would you recommend as a place to start.  I don't need the cheapest, but don't need the most expensive one either (especially if my wife reads this).

Thanks all


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I have absolutely love my Lamiglass X-11 in 9.5 feet 1-6 oz for trolling for salmon on the ocean or in the rivers and bays. The MSRP is over $100, but Fisherman's in Portland sells them routinely for between $59 and $79. Right now they are $79.99.  Fisherman's also has the Okuma Coldwater line counter low profile reel for $97.99. I have caught a lot of fish on that reel in both salt and freshwater.  However, Diawa's Lexa is a step up in both quality and price. I now own on of those, too.  It is such an amazing reel that the one salmon I have caught using it didn't even bother to fight.  It just swam right in the net.  Also, you will need a salmon net.

I highly recommend a line counter for salmon. Once you find the right depth, you know you will consistently find it again.
http://www.fishermans-marine.com/media/wysiwyg/2017-06-FathersDay-7.pdf.pdf

Also, spinning rods are fun for casting at rockfish near the surface, but for jigging, I find a saltwater conventional type reel more comfortable.  Being able to thumb the spool to slow the decent is handy.

Also, spinning rods are fun for casting at rockfish near the surface, but for jigging, I find a saltwater conventional type reel more comfortable.  Being able to thumb the spool to slow the decent is handy.

Craig-  Thank you for your thoughts and personal tips.  The combinations you suggest look great.  I was wondering about the line counter, but you answered that for me also.

Looking at the ad, I am in prime position to pull the "Father's Day" card!  Looks like a weekend trip to Tualatin.


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Also, spinning rods are fun for casting at rockfish near the surface, but for jigging, I find a saltwater conventional type reel more comfortable.  Being able to thumb the spool to slow the decent is handy.

Craig-  Thank you for your thoughts and personal tips.  The combinations you suggest look great.  I was wondering about the line counter, but you answered that for me also.

Looking at the ad, I am in prime position to pull the "Father's Day" card!  Looks like a weekend trip to Tualatin.


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Just FYI, don't be tempted to use that X-11 rod for Sturgeon fishing. It has plenty of backbone but mine broke on an 5-6 footer while helping at a HOW event. It was a great rod though, need to get up to Woodland to get it replaced.

I have used a spinning rod for trout and salmon. Shimano FXS-66MHB2.  It's a 2pc 6'6" rod rated 8-17lb. MH power action Fast.  It's a bit heavy for trout and a bit light for salmon, but I use it for many species even though it's a compromise for most. Reel is a shimano Sahara 4000 spooled with 30lb braid.  It'll do rockfish, kokanee jigging and long line trolling, coho spinner casting, chinook spinner trolling on the siletz, rainbow trout, bass, surf perch from the beach or jigging by pilings. When I only have room for one rod, this is what I grab.

I have too many rods/reels for various species. It's a lot more expensive when you gear up multiple rods for each species.  Most of the time I prefer lighter tackle.  Ultra light for trout/kokanee (spinning for trolling 6lb mono, and level wind reels for down rigger 10lb test mono line). This spring I made an ice fishing rod from a kit for Kokanee jigging (2-6lb 3ft long rod Okuma ignite iT-30a spinning reel with 15lb metered braid). Then for salmon:  a curado200 with 30lb braid paired with an 8-12lb 8ft lamiglass for trolling herring for chinook and coho.  I have much heavier rods and reels for tuna and halibut.  I don't do sturgeon.

I have used a spinning rod for trout and salmon. Shimano FXS-66MHB2.  It's a 2pc 6'6" rod rated 8-17lb. MH power action Fast.  It's a bit heavy for trout and a bit light for salmon, but I use it for many species even though it's a compromise for most. Reel is a shimano Sahara 4000 spooled with 30lb braid.  It'll do rockfish, kokanee jigging and long line trolling, coho spinner casting, chinook spinner trolling on the siletz, rainbow trout, bass, surf perch from the beach or jigging by pilings. When I only have room for one rod, this is what I grab.

I have too many rods/reels for various species. It's a lot more expensive when you gear up multiple rods for each species.  Most of the time I prefer lighter tackle.  Ultra light for trout/kokanee (spinning for trolling 6lb mono, and level wind reels for down rigger 10lb test mono line). This spring I made an ice fishing rod from a kit for Kokanee jigging (2-6lb 3ft long rod Okuma ignite iT-30a spinning reel with 15lb metered braid). Then for salmon:  a curado200 with 30lb braid paired with an 8-12lb 8ft lamiglass for trolling herring for chinook and coho.  I have much heavier rods and reels for tuna and halibut.  I don't do sturgeon.

Thanks BB2fish...

I like the idea of just a few poles for a wide variety of species.


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I have absolutely love my Lamiglass X-11 in 9.5 feet 1-6 oz for trolling for salmon on the ocean or in the rivers and bays. The MSRP is over $100, but Fisherman's in Portland sells them routinely for between $59 and $79. Right now they are $79.99.  Fisherman's also has the Okuma Coldwater line counter low profile reel for $97.99. I have caught a lot of fish on that reel in both salt and freshwater.  However, Diawa's Lexa is a step up in both quality and price. I now own on of those, too.  It is such an amazing reel that the one salmon I have caught using it didn't even bother to fight.  It just swam right in the net.  Also, you will need a salmon net.

I highly recommend a line counter for salmon. Once you find the right depth, you know you will consistently find it again.
http://www.fishermans-marine.com/media/wysiwyg/2017-06-FathersDay-7.pdf.pdf

+1 on the Okuma line counters.  I've got both the round and low profile reels, I end up using the low profile with 50 lb Power Pro on a Shimano Trevala medium jigging rod for everything from trolling kings to hitting the bottom for butts and lings.  If the Diawa Lexa had been available when funding was more abundant, I would have went with one.  Picking up another Trevala soon in the med-heavy for a reel I won in a tournament this winter.  (Can't have a lonely reel just collecting dust).