Newbie question about rods for salmon fishing off kayak

Since most of the springer fishing I do is either trolling herring or prawn spinners I don't necessarily agree that rod characteristics have a lot to do with personal preference. Unless, of course you don't entirely prefer to actually get a fish to stick once it bites or get the fish into your net. It is generally a good idea while springer fishing to have a leader length of at least approximately four feet (give or take depending on water conditions) and many power boaters prefer longer. Throw a flasher on top of that and a short section of line to separate your flasher from your main line connection point (required) and you now have a decent amount of length to deal with. Trying to net a fish with that kind of setup while using a shorter rod and barbless hooks is not going to end well.

Since most of the springer fishing I do is either trolling herring or prawn spinners I don't necessarily agree that rod characteristics have a lot to do with personal preference.

Don't you really mean the terminal setup drives your choice of rod? I think that's what you're really saying. I've never used that terminal setup and have caught my fair share of salmon..

I suggest that you try out rods of different lengths, and see which you prefer.

I see/hear this a lot on forum's like this and often wonder... how does one "try out" a bunch of different rods?  Do you mean, buy a handful of different rods and fish them to see what works?  Or is there a way/place to demo equipment that I'm not aware of?  (hoping for the latter).

I second the Berkley IM8 rods for salmon.  Good rod, good backbone, good hook sets, great price.

Since most of the springer fishing I do is either trolling herring or prawn spinners I don't necessarily agree that rod characteristics have a lot to do with personal preference. Unless, of course you don't entirely prefer to actually get a fish to stick once it bites or get the fish into your net. It is generally a good idea while springer fishing to have a leader length of at least approximately four feet (give or take depending on water conditions) and many power boaters prefer longer. Throw a flasher on top of that and a short section of line to separate your flasher from your main line connection point (required) and you now have a decent amount of length to deal with. Trying to net a fish with that kind of setup while using a shorter rod and barbless hooks is not going to end well.

I lean towards "it's a personal preference".  However, I agree completely with the points Rawkfish makes.  I think a big difference is barbless though I am not completely convinced.  But there are a few things that allow my 5' 6" Shimano Trevala XH to be my deadliest rod even though lately the rod of choice when trolling salmon is an 8ft medium action rod which is a compromise.  I'd prefer a much faster action and slightly shorter rod.   

The long leader issue I have resolved by using the fish flash triangular in-line flashers for anything that has action like herring or spoon.  The fish flash allows me to attach a banana sinker directly to it or with a very short length leader like 6 inches.  For hoochies, flies, or bait setup where I need some added action, I use the traditional flashers and dodgers. The leader length between the flasher and lure is kept to 2 feet or less so the flasher imparts lots of action.  Because my leader is much shorter, I can use a longer leader between flasher/dodger and sinker.   

For downrigging, I have been playing with using dummy flashers on my downrigger ball and fishing my line without a flasher or a much smaller one. 

I think a heavy faster action rod will tighten up much harder and faster than a long slower rod.  Ya gotta hook the fish first.  I completely agree that while in battle, a longer more flexible rod will keep the fish on the hook much better.  But then again at landing, the shorter heavy fast action rod is MUCH easier to control a fish and land it.  I have enough confidence in fish handling skills that I would prefer to have a solid hook set and more control at net which is much less predictable than when a fish has 100 ft of line out. 

As far as trying out new rods, I guess in my case if I wasn't alternating between halibut and salmon on the same trip, I would have never guessed how effective my 5'6" XH trevala was for trolling salmon.  Many of us have multiple rods.  Try a bass rod.  I'm currently trying out using my 4wt flyrod to troll for kings.  I highly doubt it will ever be optimal for that purpose.  But it also will answer a few questions for me like how super light gear holds up.  Can I use a fly reel or mooching single action reel for this fishing?  Etc.  After I get some experience with it, maybe my idea of the perfect trolling rod will change.  Half the fun of fishing for me is trying new things out.

I think the two most important factors for rod choice are

1. how you intend to pursue your fish
2. personal preference related to the first item.

Most people here seem to think a medium, medium heavy and heavy action rods work great.

Really appreciate all the info, I plan on trolling a lot for salmon, but will probably do some jigging also. Difficult to "try out" bunch of different rod and reel combos, unless I can persuade my wife to allow me to buy 7-8 different rods. As long as the subject of "leaders" came up, I'm probably going to start with using the prawn spinner set up that Jammer shows.  Any thoughts?

Thanks
JT

Look, my point is pretty simple and I think several people have already made the point I was trying to make, but let me just be clear.  Take a look back at the original question if you need to.  In my personal opinion, the saying "personal preference" isn't really helpful to someone asking that question.  This guy is trying to get into a specific fishery for the first time and needs some concrete info to arm himself with when he goes to the fishing tackle store to pick out a rod that he wants to use so it is less likely that someone will talk him into buying something that isn't right for what he is trying to accomplish.  He isn't going to buy a handful of rods and try them all out to find out what he likes and he may not understand why a rod needs a soft tip when trolling plug-cut herring.  So for this particular fishery that he is asking about that I just happen to have some experience in, I gave him some info that is not subjective.

Really appreciate all the info, I plan on trolling a lot for salmon, but will probably do some jigging also. Difficult to "try out" bunch of different rod and reel combos, unless I can persuade my wife to allow me to buy 7-8 different rods. As long as the subject of "leaders" came up, I'm probably going to start with using the prawn spinner set up that Jammer shows.  Any thoughts?

Thanks
JT

Since you mentioned that you were likely going to target fish in the Multnomah Channel and the nearby areas, I would suggest you lean more towards using a cut-plug herring setup while trolling.  One can certainly catch fish in that area on prawn spinners and Jammer's article you mentioned is a great resource for that technique, but most fish in that area are taken on cut-plug herring.  As I had mentioned earlier, most people use around a 4 foot leader for trolling herring.  You can use a pre-tied 3/0 4/0 solid tie mooching rig or tie your own rigs , which is what I like to do.  Make sure you are using barbless hooks.  Lots of people use flashers when the water is not really clear to add an attractant to their herring.  Check back to the NWKA forum often!  Springer fishing clinics are going to happen in March!  I will be putting one on for Next Adventure and Spot will probably be doing one too.  They're free and packed full of info!  And thank you for your service!!

Heavy rod strong braid hold on tight

I have a used an 8'6" Lamiglas Cascade Pro medium heavy for most of my salmon fishing. It is a decent rod for the price. Bimart usually has a good deal on them around salmon season. That set up has worked really well for trolling herring and casting spinners. I have even used it as a bobber rod in some situations. It's an inexpensive rod and you won't cry as hard or as long if you snap the tip or bust an insert. Bimart is really good about replacing these rods if you run into any problems.
That same rod is also good for bottom fishing. I have pulled up some hefty fish with the Cascade Pro.

Having said that, I spent some time this year using my Shimano Trevala jigging rod. I believe it's 6'6" medium heavy. It's a short, stout rod but it works really well for trolling and makes netting fish easier from the kayak. I'm with Rudy on this one, I believe the combination of the heavy rod and braided line make for increased hook up ratios. It just seems to be a better hook set. This setup also does double duty for me. I catch sturgeon, lings, and salmon with that. This set up can be pretty spendy.

Find something that isn't going to break the bank. It will take a while before you start to figure out what you like and don't like about your setup, so keep it cheap and simple. You'll keep the wife happy too

Your first trolling rod doesn't need to be a Stradivari.  For a first trolling rod, I suggest that you get an Ugly Stick casting rod in medium weight, in whatever length you decide to try.  I like 6'6" rods, but many people prefer longer rods.  They're good, they're inexpensive (about $40), and they're easy to find in stores.  Buy a modestly priced level-wind star-drag reel with a line meter, load it with 30 or 40 pound braid, and slap it on the rod.  Then get out and do some trolling.  After a couple of months of fishing, you'll have a better idea of what you like in a trolling rod.  If you want something different, you can invest in a pricier rod at that point.

Well, in the end, any pole will catch you a fish.
Let's not forget that advice has been given by at least 2 of the best kayak fishers that I know of in this fishery....that actually live on the river.

Definitely go 8 foot or longer with medium heavy to heavy rating.  Basically everything Rawkfish said.  Landed a lot of salmon this past summer on a Shimano talora and a level wind reel.

You should also watch YouTube to see why you want this type of setup.  Polyangler, Rawkfish, Jammer, and myself all have lots of salmon video on YouTube (and many other folks her on the board)

Ordered an Okuma Magda Pro 30 dlx and an Okuma salmon/steelhead celilo casting rod, so one more step completed.
Rawkfish, will definately attend the springer clinic, and I will be on NWKA, great info here, appreciate the heads up on using cut herring in the channel, will go that route for now.
I will check out YouTube for videos, another great heads up.
One other question regarding putting in and out, any recommendations on good places to launch for the head and end of the Channel.
Thanks
John

I haven't been out for salmon yet, so I'm not your best source, but... that never stopped me before!  This is not a recommendation for a rod weight or action, just what I've learned in the past year or so.

I fish in the rivers.

I'm new to kayak fishing and I like to use a shorter rod in the kayak.  I'm still finding that a long rod - more than 7'6" - is difficult for me to work with.  Longer rods make it hard for me to net the fish at the boat, hard to keep the rod out of the way when it's not in a holder, and it generally it just creates more problems for me - as a newbie - to deal with than it solves.

If you're an experienced fishing from a kayak, you may not have the problems I have.  Heck, if you're in the least bit coordinated (i.e. if you don't have to stop walking in order to breathe), longer rods may work for you.