New guy fishing questions

[Charles]

Hi just looking to get back into some fresh water fishing and just had some questions that I'd thought I'd voice to the knowledge of the masses. With that said I hope not all of them are dumb. So I have a old rod that I used for catching Rainbow trout fishing and the reel has broken, looking to get a replacement but kind of at a loss of where to start or what to buy. I would like to continue to fish for trout (well bigger then the small ones I used to catch) but would also would like to fish for salmon in the fresh waters where I live. Is there a reel that could do both? and also a certain line strength that could multitask if you will? Would the rod I have know be okay for both as well? Then as far as getting out, can trout be caught on shore, I've always used a boat? I know in the fall salmon head up stream so could shore fish for them as well but that's really just an assumption . But I guess that's really it, we'll at least for now. Thanks in advance and if you have any other tips or suggestions much appreciated.

Charles

 

[UkeeDreamin]

I'm assuming you want a spinning reel? I'd suggest getting the best reel you can afford in the "2500" size range. Most spinning reels have the same size ratings and the 2500 size is good for the 6-10lb range for mono and 10-30 lb range for braid. The quality of your reel, for both casting and fighting/landing fish, is way more important than the quality of the rod. The better quality you can afford will mean better and beefier drag, which is important if also targeting salmon. If just for trout you could get away with a cheapo real.

Again, if you can afford it I'd get an extra spool for the reel and load one with 6-8lb mono for when targeting trout and the other with 20-30 lb braid for when targeting salmon, though 8-12 lb mono is fine for most salmon you'd likely target - coho, pinks and chums, in small to medium streams. Again, if you can afford it, two rods would be ideal. First rod in 6-7 ft range and fairly light for casting the smaller spinners and such for trout, and also so as not to overpower the smaller fish so you get some fun out of it. Second rod should be in the 8-9 ft range and a moderate power rating. That'll be plenty to manage salmon up to 10+lbs without overpowering your line rating even if you go with 10lb mono.

Any of the good tackle stores should be able to show you gear that would be suitable. Many good reel manufacturers out there. My preference has been Shimano for spinning reels. I have a Stradic CI4 I got on sale a couple of years ago. A pricey $200+ reel but wow, is it ever good. I've landed Shuswap rainbows and Harrison coho (and chums) over 10lbs on that reel loaded with 10lb mono and matched to a moderate action Shimano Clarus 9ft rod rated for 8-12lb line. Set up is amazing for casting spinners and spoons in a wide size range and trolls on the lake very nicely as well.

Cheers!

Ukee

 

[Charles]

I'm assuming you want a spinning reel?"
"for the 6-10lb range for mono and 10-30 lb range braid"
if you can afford it I'd get an extra spool

Awesome great food for thought much appreciated. Few questions out of that though. Sorry for not specifying but yes a spinning reel is what I am looking for.
What do you mean by mono and braid? And I take it the spool would be interchangeable? I noticed the some reels I was looking at had a weight rating I'm assuming that the 2500 range would be able to handle the 6-30lbs as long as it is a better quailty reel correct?

 

[Pippen]

Awesome great food for thought much appreciated. Few questions out of that though. Sorry for not specifying but yes a spinning reel is what I am looking for.
What do you mean by mono and braid? And I take it the spool would be interchangeable? I noticed the some reels I was looking at had a weight rating I'm assuming that the 2500 range would be able to handle the 6-30lbs as long as it is a better quailty reel correct?

Mono and braid are 2 different kinds of fishing line.

Yes....spools are interchangeable.

Yes....from what I know of the 2500 size it will definitely handle everything in that range. Just bear in mind....you really can pretty much put any weight line on the reel, it's just going to vary how MUCH of different weight lines the spool will handle. Where you'll see a difference is in the rod where "action" and "line rating" come into play as Ukee noted in his post above.