Main line strength

[Statick2]

Well I hooked into my first 2 salmon on Sunday, didnt land either of them but whatever, that was more than enough to have me up there every free second I get. My question goes back to line strength. I was thinking that I was on the safe side using 15 lb main line and 14lb fluorocarbon leader (berkley Vanish), however a guy who let me fish with him and gave me some pointers (thank you by the way to the guy in the Ranger boats hat) was hooking up far more than I was and really the only difference was that he was using 8lb main line and leader. Is this the reason?

I figure I didnt get them in with 15lb test, so what the hell, I might as well go down in line strength to increase my number of hook-ups. Any recommendation on set up i.e. main line and leader strength.

Also the fish I caught were on estaz flies with the spinning gear, does this change the set up?

I hooked 2 and now Im hooked.....trying to learn the right way to catch fish, not lift or snag.

Thanks for everyones help so far and on the matter

[Oncorhynchus]

Your set up sounds correct from the info you gave. Obviously, the lighter you go, the more fish you will hook, but the less you will land, as you already know. This is even more true with steelies. You said you were using Vanish, I know it's flouro and it's cheap, but give Seguar a try. About 75% of the die hard use it and probably most anglers on this site do as well. You will find it is much better. Make sure your knots are good and proper drag setting is key. I set mine light because the first 20 seconds of the fight is as violent as it gets. Let 'em go a little and get thier rocks off, then work them with side pressure. I see so many guys that don't know how to fight a fish, they try to pull them up out of the water, instead of to the side. Use side pressure to tire them, you will find they cooperate very well this way and next thing you know they are at your feet, and it's too late for them.

Tried to cover a little of everything for you. Only one way to learn and that's by trial and error, keep fishing:)

[JWicky]

Statick2, I find that if I use 10lb main line and 8 or 10 lb leaders I am able to land at about 50% or so. I think it comes down to what your comfortable with. Also has a lot to do with water clarity. If it's cloudy water you can use heavier line but if it's clear I'd stick to 8-10lb and hold on tight.

[got_rain?]

try sufix. straight mono and has the best abrasion resistance that i have seen in many lines. my experience with vanish has not been good. it seems to get torn up in the rocks to fast.

[Flyguy5910]

got-rain i have had the same happen to me with vanish

[flyguy]

Question: Why hook them if you have no intention to land them? Is that any better than snagging?

If you use 8# for kings you are crazy....especially at 1000 cfs plus r/o.

[Statick2]

I never meant to give the impression that I dont intend on landing fish. That is the main reason for my post. Im trying to find the optimal set-up to maximize my hook-ups without tearing EVERY fish off. I realize this changes due to conditions and person preferance, but as a newbie to the Salmon River, I was looking for some guidance from the vets.

[flyguy]

I figure I didnt get them in with 15lb test, so what the hell, I might as well go down in line strength to increase my number of hook-ups.

Sorry if I misinterpreted.

Much more is involved besides the line. Rod action and length, foul or fair hooked, your experience fighting them, net or no net, age of line......

I fly fish and I use a 15# tippet of very hard, stiff mono. But I do not fish pools or in crowds.

[soloartist]

I use 14 lb myself.. the key to catching fish in my experience, is the feel of the bait as it bounces off the bottom.. I use my index finger on the line to feel for slight changes in pressure; I also keep the line pretty tight ... Usually these changes are a fish nipping at your bait or mouthing the bait and not sucking it in.. I find that these subtle changes give me the most hook-ups... that could be why the guy next to you was getting more action.. he probably had better "feel" with his line, etc..

make sense?