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I’ve been fishing for river salmon for around 40 years, yep, I’m old, I’m also opinionated and sometimes grumpy, but I’m also wise, especially considering I’ve been guiding for salmon for about 20 years.

While my clients are catching so many salmon that their arms hurt, other nearby anglers struggle to catch one.

Often, the reason is that too many anglers use the wrong gear, the wrong setup, and they suck at fishing. In this article, I’m only going to cover the best gear for salmon fishing. I’m talking about the right gear that will HELP you catch more fish, not make it more difficult.

Okay, I’ll also add some GUIDE TIPS to help you catch more salmon too, but the truth is, if you want to catch more salmon, you should check out my page on “Salmon Fishing Tactics Used By Guides“

On this page, I’ll provide the same gear advice and recommendations that I give to my paying clients who want the best gear for Great Lakes River salmon.

Keep an eye out for my GUIDE TIPS . . . . Which I’ve scattered throughout this page.

Get Set-Up Right For More Salmon

The good anglers and guides also don’t use crappy line, hooks that look like they’d work best for sturgeon or shark, or huge weights, swivels, and bobbers that look like you’re baited up for musky or deep sea fishing.

The 4 Best Spinning Rods For River Salmon

Part of having the best gear for Great Lakes salmon means starting with the right rod. You don’t want to know how many rods I’ve seen snapped in half on big salmon. Not my rods, becuase I use the right rods, but so many anglers break rods becuase the rods are not meant for salmon.

For casting lures, rods in the 8’6″ and 9’6″ range are good and can also be used if you occasionally do float fishing or for bottom bouncing.

Rods in the 10-foot to 11-foot range are my preferred all-around rod when float fishing is the preferred method, but they can also be used when casting lures for salmon. This length is also a great size for pier and shore casting into the Great Lakes for Ontario Salmon.

Rods in the 12 to 14-foot range are best for guys who just want to float fish or bottom bounce for Ontario salmon and not for using lures.

I recommend rods rated between 8lb to 20lb line for Great Lakes salmon because they will have enough backbone to handle big salmon without breaking.

However, going heavier than 20 pounds is not recommended because even though many of the salmon are over 30 pounds, the leader down near your bait might need to be as low as 8lb to 10lb test when float fishing. We use light leaders to catch those skittish salmon in gin-clear water to bite.

Having a super heavy rod rated for 30 or 40 lbs is useless when you are fishing with an 8-pound test leader. You just can’t put all that power of the rod to use, or you will just keep breaking leaders or bending hooks, so all that power in the heavy rod is useless.

Also, an advantage to the longer, softer 8 -12 pound rods is that they act like a giant shock absorber that will protect lighter leaders on the hook set and when fishing big salmon.

I buy and recommend rods based on the leader break strength and not on the size of the fish.

Lamiglas X11 Salmon & Steelhead Spinning Rod

You want a rod that is going to NOT break, and will last for years after catching hundreds of big salmon, this is it.

The 9-foot 6-inch medium or the 10’6 Medium fast rod – Model LX 106 MLS are good options for all kinds of fishing methods, lures, and even float fishing with a spinning reel. Approx. $130.00.

To see all the rods’ specs and pricing, click the orange button below.

The second rod, and the better of the two, is the Lamiglas Infinity Salmon & Steelhead Spinning Rod. This is a great rod for perfect for floating jigs, twitching jigs, bobber-dogging, drift fishing, back-bouncing, and tossing lures.

The only downside is the price. Check out the full details and price of this rod:

FishUSA Flagship Salmon & Steelhead Spinning Rods

The 9-foot-6-inch medium is also great for guys that want to cast and the 11 footer is good for float fishing.

You can see all the details, reviews, price, and a bunch a videos on each rod model bly clicking the orange button.

St. Croix Triumph Salmon & Steelhead Spinning Rod

Get It At These Great Retailers

Shimano Scimitar :Best Budget Rod

Okuma Celilo Salmon & Steelhead Spinning Rod

This is a good alternative economy spinning rod for casting lures, bottom bouncing, or as a short float rod.

Get the Med-Heavy, 9 foot 10-30lbs model # CE-S-902MHa or the 8’6″ Med or Heavy rod model# CE-S-862Ma

UNDER $100.00

Get It At These Great Retailers

Baitcasting Reels For Great Lakes Salmon

If you are fishing very big rivers with lots of fast currents, baitcasting reels can be a good idea.

Daiwa Tatula 100 Baitcast Reel

 BAITCAST Reel –

Some anglers like to use bait cast reels on larger, deeper, faster water.

The bait cast reel can be used to float fish or for casting lures.

The Daiwa Tutula 100HS or HSL (Left Hand) is the preferred option.

4 Best Spinning Reels For Great Lakes River Salmon

The right spinning reel can make all the difference, and a spinning reel with a smooth, reliable drag is really important for Great Lakes salmon fishing.

Simply put, a bad drag is going to make you lose some salmon, and trust me, I’ve seen guys lose plenty of big salmon becuase of a choppy inconsistant drag.

Large Great Lakes salmon can make long, fast runs that can burn out the bearings and drag systems of cheaper reels. Therefore, the best idea is to get a mid-range to a high-end reel.

You also need to consider how the line comes off the reel if you plan to float fish a lot. I have had many clients bring out reels that they struggle with all day either because it’s not a great reel or because they have the wrong line on it.

Some reels are just not as good as others for Great Lakes salmon, but these ones I have tried and liked.

Shimano Stradic FM

Pflueger Supreme XT Spinning Reel

Pflueger President Spinning Reel

Best Line For River Salmon

Even though the line is pretty light at only 12 pounds the long rods that you should be using when float fishing will protect your line, also, on most Ontario and Great Lakes rivers, you can always walk the bank and follow a big running salmon.

If I fish huge rivers like the Niagara River or a river that I can not easily walk the banks to chase a fish, I will up-size to 14-pound to 17-pound test line.

See more details and pricing on this line.

But, before you buy, braided line is also good for Great Lakes salmon fishing and I actually prefer it when casting lures, and you can go up to 20 or 30-pound line since the braided line is so thin. See below for more reasons why braid might be better for you.

GUIDE TIP: A 12-pound line is rarely actually 12 pounds. Most brands underrate their lines, and many 12-pound lines will break closer to 18lb to 24 lbs, so even though you might be reluctant to go with a light line like 12 pounds for 30-pound salmon, your 12-pound line is probably stronger than you think.

The exception to this might be with braided lines.

If you are going to be throwing just lures and you are not doing any float fishing then you can go up to a 14lb or 17lb monofilament fishing line. I also recommend braided lines of 20 to 30lbs with a short 14 to 16 pound two to four-foot mono leader if you are just going to throw lures for salmon.

I will discuss the best mono lines for float fishing and casting below.

Braided Lines For Salmon and Steelhead

Some guys love braided lines and some guys hate it! Braided line for salmon fishing does take some getting used to, but it has a lot of benefits.

Pros of braided line for salmon fishing:

• No stretch lines give you better hook sets at longer distances and better hook sets in general.
• More sensitive, so you may feel every rock and bump on your lure.
• No line twist.
• Thinner diameter for a heavier line so you can get more on the spool.
• Many braids will float, which is better for line mending with floats.
• Super strong and tough.
• Somewhat abrasion resistant

Con’s of braided lines for salmon fishing:

• More line tip wrap issues.
• No stretch to cushion hard hook sets on light leaders – PRO TIP – Adding a mono leader when casting lures or float fishing can help with shock absorption on the hook set.
• May freeze into a solid block if you get it wet below freezing
• Some braids may absorb water and sink or are more likely to freeze.
• May expand and slip around reel spool if gets wet and then dries – PRO TIP – Add 20 feet of mono at the base of the reel before adding the braid and use and mono-to-braid knot to connect the lines.

Guide Tip: You must secure the braided line on the spool properly because it can expand and slip and not reel in properly or reel in at all. You must add about 20 feet of mono to the base of the spool before you add the braid to prevent any issues. I add the mono and then use a good mono to braid knot.

SpiderWire Braided Line

Braided lines have no stretch and often float.

Your hook sets will be better, and you will feel more bumps on your lure because it is more sensitive. 

Braided lines like the SpiderWire Stealth-Braid are well-liked by salmon anglers and can be good for both float fishing and casting lures. You can check this line out at Amazon.

Sufix 832 Advanced Superline Braid: Guides Choice

Float Fishing Line For Salmon Fishing

Many guys use mono or copolymer lines for great lakes salmon fishing and it works well when float fishing or when lure fishing. I use mono on both spinning reels and on my Centerpin reel.

Raven Mono Mainline

For float fishing only, I go with the high-viz yellow, but for mixed casting and float fishing, the green line is a good choice.

You can check out the Raven lines below.

Sufix Elite Premium Mono

When Centerpin fishing, I always use high viz colored lines. Colored lines allow you to see the line better so that you can control and manage your lines and float more effectively. This provides a better presentation which often results in more fish hooked.

Colored lines also make it easier for other anglers to see your line and find your float so they are less likely to cast over you. If you use colored or clear lines, it’s very important to have a proper leader setup, which I cover on my page, Float Fishing For Great Lakes Salmon.

Best Terminal Tackle For River Salmon

The best fishing gear for Great Lakes salmon includes the terminal tackle. There is a lot of river fishing gear that is not salmon-specific, like floats, hooks, weights, swivels, leaders, tackle boxes, etc.

Salmon are strong, and it can be tough to get them to bite, so you need to be using the best gear for Great Lakes salmon if you want to catch the most fish possible.

Raven FM Floats

The Raven FM Model is my go-to float for salmon fishing in almost all water conditions. I have been using this float for about 10 years. It’s not the most durable float, but it works well, and it’s inexpensive compared to other custom floats. You can not go wrong with this float.

Sizing:

Float Caps

These are the best float caps for multiple brands of floats. You will need to pick some of these up if you are going to use the Raven or Drennan float.

These are the ones that I use, but there are others, and you can see these at FishUSA

Raven FX Slip Float

Some guys like to use slip floats but I’m not a big fan unless I am fishing very deep water. These are good floats if you fish big rivers like the Niagara River where it’s often deeper than 10 feet.

Use the smaller SX float for shallower water and the FX 10 gram and 16 gram for very deep water.

You will also need to get a bunch of these float stops to make your slip float work properly, you can see them at Fish USA

A very popular and great float for stealth in super clear water.

Drennan Loafer Floats

Best Leader For Salmon

The best leader for salmon fishing is the fluorocarbon leader because it has better knot strength, is more invisible, and is more abrasion-resistant. These are all good things when fishing near rocks for big fish. I always use fluorocarbon leaders below a float and I use them when casting lures.

There are a few good brands that have been tested and proven by myself and other great river guides and good anglers.

Drennan Leader

The 6-pound test is closer to 12-pound breaking strength, and it’s strong enough for most salmon, even on big rivers like the Niagara River. I use this brand all the time because it’s that good.

It has been my go-to leader for steelhead in size 3lb and 4lb. Get it at Fish USA

Drennan Sizing Suggestions:

• 6lb for most salmon rivers.
• 5lbs for gin clear water for nervous salmon.
• 4lb for most steelhead conditions.

Seaguar STS Salmon Fluorocarbon Leader

The Seaguar STS Salmon Fluorocarbon Leader line is a well-rated and popular leader for salmon.

Raven X-Small Swivels

Swivels are important for connecting your leader to your mainline.

I have been running raven swivels for steelhead and salmon for over 10 years.

Stick with the XS size for salmon. You can check them out at FishUSA

Another good option for strong, high-quality swivels is the SPRO swivels. SPRO swivels are a very strong swivel with a 65lb rating, which is great for salmon. You can check them out at FishUSA or at Amazon.

Split Shots

For my recommended float fishing leader rigs and how to put your split shots on more effectively, check out my page 2 Float Fishing Leader Setups From A Pro River Guide – See at www.troutandsteelhead.net

These shots are made out of lead, which is banned in some states and in some rivers, so check your fishing regulations before you fish. You can get these split shots at FishUSA or at Amazon.

Option #2

If you can’t legally use lead weights, tin non-lead split shots are perfect for those areas that have banned the use of lead.

I use the AB size for salmon. You can get these at FishUSA or at Amazon.

Best Hooks For River Salmon

It’s also important to use the right size. A hook that is too small might not hook the fish well and might not grab enough flesh and could tear out. A hook too big might be seen by the fish and they may avoid it.

These are my three favorite hooks for salmon.

Raven Specimen

The Raven Specimen hooks are great hooks for salmon fishing. This has been one of my go-to hooks for salmon and steelhead for many years.

I use size 8 or 10 the most for salmon and for steelhead. A size 6 or less may be required for bigger baits. You can see more at:

Gamakatsu Octopus Hooks

Gamakatsu Octopus hooks are some of the strongest and sharpest hooks and are known around the world for performance, durability, and reliability. These are great hooks for salmon fishing on small to medium-sized rivers. I use size 6 hooks for bigger baits, I use size 8 or 10 the most for spawn bags, beads, plastic worms, and most other smaller sized baits.

I only use the black hooks and avoid all the colored ones and gold or silver colors.

Color: Black Nickel

Sizing:

• size 10 for low and clear and small roe bags
• size 8 and 6 for bigger water and most conditions.

You can also check them out at Bass Pro Shop, or at Fish USA, or at Amazon

Blackbird Sabretooth Premium Hooks

Blackbird Sabretooth Premium Hooks by Redwing Tackle are the hooks of choice for salmon, steelhead, and trout anglers around the world. These chemically sharpened hooks are manufactured from the finest quality high-carbon steel, producing unparalleled strength.

These hooks are great for use with egg sacs, skein, beads, and plastic worms.

Use size #8 or #6 for most situations.

You can check these out at Fish USA
or at Amazon

Best Lures For Salmon In Rivers

Lures can be a great bait for salmon. You need to make sure you use the right ones that the salmon actually want to eat and also ones that won’t break or have the hooks bend on a big salmon. Cheap quality lures do not work well for big salmon.

Salmon Like flashy, erratic, moving lures. These lures below are some of my most productive lures. Read the description for tips on how to best use them.

Kwickfish and Kwikfish X-Treme lures

My Best Colors:

• MJ-Black-Holo Glitter
• Slammer
• Blazin’ Green UV
• Gold Digger
• Silver-Blue Scale
• Silver

Best Sizes:

• 2 3/4 in. – Small to Medium-sized rivers
• 3 13/16 in. – Small to large-sized rivers
• 4 1/14 in. – large-sized rivers and Pier fishing
• 5 inch. Large rivers, back trolling, back bouncing, and peirs and shoreline.

Check out the details, colors, and sizes at:

You can check the Kwikfish lures out at Bass Pro Shop or at Amazon

Vibrax and Mepps Spinners

Cast straight across the river and retrieve super slow. The current will make this lure spin. keep the rod tip up for shallower water and lower the tip for deeper water. Try to get this 1 or 2 feet off the bottom.

My Best Colors:

• Silver Shiner
• Fluorescent Red-Fluorescent Yellow-Silver UV
• Hot Pepper
• Gold Shiner
• Rainbow Trout

Best Sizes:

• #3 – Small to Medium-sized rivers
• #3&4 in. – Small to large-sized rivers
• #4. – large-sized rivers and Pier fishing

You can get these at Bass Pro or Amazon

Vibrax Bullet

I use this Vibrax spinner the same way as the other Vibrax but in deeper faster water and in bigger rivers.

The blade on this spinner is better in this type of water and tends to go deeper.

You can get this at Bass Pro or at Amazon.

Rapala Shad Rap

The 2 3/4 inch shad rap retrieved slowly to medium speed with added twitches and pauses has caught a lot of salmon for me.

For a more detailed and in-depth article with my favorite lures and the most prodcutive lures used by other guides and anglers, check out my article: Best Lures For Salmon Fishing.

Little Cleo Spoons

Favorite Colors:

• Hammered Nickel Blue
• Hammered Nickel Green
• Nickel
• Gold
• Glow Green Splatter
• Glow Blue Anchovy
• Glow Green Anchovy

You can get the Little Cleo Spoons at Bass Pro or at Amazon

Luhr Jensen Krocodile Spoon

A favorite spoon among river anglers for salmon, steelhead, and trout.  Size: 3 1/4 for salmon
My Favorite Colors:

Jigs For Salmon

Some anglers are using jigs to fish for salmon with good success.

You can use jigs under a float or you just cast the jig with no float and fish them with an up a down jigging motion across the pool as it slowly drifts down the river.

I have used both these methods with success on salmon and steelhead.

Use 1/2oz or 1/4 jigs for casting and retrieving, and use 1/16oz, 1/32oz, and 1/64oz for below your float.

I have done well with Olive, Black, White, and chartreuse, but other colors might work for you.

I have two great article you should check out if you like to jig fish for salmon:

• 5 Best Jigs For Salmon Fishing: What The Guides Use
• Twitching Jigs for Salmon: A Guide for Beginner and Intermediate Anglers

Best Nets For River Salmon Fishing

The best gear for Great Lakes salmon includes a good net that is big enough for a huge salmon but small enough that it’s not bulky and heavy.

If your net is too heavy to hang off the back of your jacket or fishing vest, you’re going to have to carry it by hand, and that means you will need to leave it on shore while you wade out into the water.

The problem is, once you get that huge 25 or 35 pound salmon on the line and it decides to run a half-mile down the river your net isn’t with you, it’s on the bank way up the river. Even if you managed to walk back to the bank while you were fighting the fish you would need to carry it in one hand and fight the fish in the other. This is a big problem sometimes.

The other option is to get a much smaller and lighter net that you can hang off your back so it goes where you go. The problem with these nets is that they are much smaller, and often you can’t fit the entire salmon in the net and drag it out of the water.

So what to do?

I have chosen to go with the smaller net and just use it to control the fish.

Once I get the fish as close to shore as I can, and I use the net to just get the head and some or most of the body in the net. The salmon can’t swim away if its head is pushing straight into the net. This allows me to subdue the salmon along or on the bank until I can get the hooks out and a quick picture.

Also, with big Chinook salmon, they can be tailed. This means they can be picked up by the tail due to the hard tail bone, so if I need to get the fish to shore, once I get its head in the net, I grab it by the tail.

I never lift the salmon up and out of the water with the smaller nets, I drag them. This has always worked for me and is what I recommend, and you may be a little clumsy with it a first, but you will get the hang of it.

If you need a good salmon net for the river, the peir or shoreline, or the boat, check ou tmy article 7 Best Salmon Nets: For Boat, Bank And River Fishing

Best Waders, Boots, Vests and MORE . . . . .

Check out my article on the Best Waders: Guide Recommended, or the Best Wading Boots: Guide Recommend.

Check out our Best Gear Page for all the river gear you would need for a successful day of salmon fishing. That page covers:

• Waders
• Boots
• Vests
• Packs
• Forceps
• Nets
• Nippers
• MORE . . . . .

Be Sure To Check Out These Pages Next