Spinner Fishing for Salmon in Rivers: Freshwater and Tidewater

A successful salmon fisherman will change techniques when spinner fishing for salmon...

...while adapting to ever-changing river conditions...

Including different areas of the river salmon prefer.  Spinner fishing for salmon is an approach that is not popular with the majority of freshwater river salmon (bank) fishermen...


At least not here on the Big Nestucca River (and other local rivers) located around Hebo on the Oregon Coast... 

Chinook caught while spinner fishing for salmonI don't think this boy cares what he was using to catch this big male Chinook Salmon!
Chinook caught while spinner fishing for salmonI don't think this boy cares what he was using to catch this big male Chinook Salmon!


Reel:  Don't Cut Corners Here When Spinner Fishing for Salmon

I prefer a casting reel when using spinners for salmon fishing.  I feel like I've got better control.  Furthermore... I can feel the spinner blade pulsating clearly into my thumb and forefinger.  This is just my preference.  Many fishermen use spinning reels successfully when salmon fishing with spinners.

I use the old vintage Pflueger Supreme “Knuckle Buster” reel for all of my salmon and steelhead stream fishing.  My current salmon spinner fishing reel recommendations are based on my observations.


Proper spinning reel for salmon fishing:  Using a 3000 to 4000 size spinning reel seems to be the most popular.  For really large salmon rivers... maybe a 5000 size.  Also... a smaller salmon reel can be used with a smaller diameter fishing line.  For example:  Using 15lb monofilament fishing line instead of 30 lb test.

Recommendations:


  • Drag system tough enough to handle large, strong salmon

  • Line capacity suitable for long, powerful Chinook Salmon runs

  • Proper gear ratio needed for speedy fishing line recovery


Salmon fishing with a suitable casting reel:  Using larger, heavier salmon lures and casting long distances is maximized with a bait casting reel along with excellent line control.  A 200-400 size seems to be the most popular.  

As noted above... a smaller salmon reel can be used with a smaller diameter fishing line.  For example:  60 lb test braided fishing line is much smaller in diameter than 30 lb monofilament.


  • Drag, line capacity and gear ratio same as above.


Tidewater

Big fish, lots of big, open spaces (on larger rivers) and fluctuating heavy tidal flows...

...require a large salmon fishing reel that will hold plenty of heavy line.

This includes a drag system that will function properly.  Bank fishing?  This really matters!


Reel Maintenance


I hose off my salmon fishing reel at the end of the day.  There are lots of weeds and other grimy scum common to tidewater salmon fishing that will soil your large fishing reel.  After your reel dries, oil it.  Make sure you oil the worm gear and pawl.

If you're camping... at least lubricate it.  As often as possible... take it apart, then clean and oil it.  Do not use grease!


Spinner Fishing for Salmon in Freshwater

Use the same type of reel when fishing for salmon in tidewater and freshwater.  If you're bank fishing and the salmon takes off downstream... your large salmon fishing reel needs to be loaded with lots of strong line.


Reel Maintenance

I regularly oil my salmon and steelhead fishing reels.  I take them apart a couple times during the year for a good cleaning and oiling.  I don't spray them off at the end of the day unless I feel it's required.  Worth repeating... do not use grease!


What's the Best Salmon Fishing Rod?

Make sure it's balanced with your reel mounted.  Questions about this?  Let me know.  Your salmon fishing spinner rod should be rated to complement the fishing line you're using.


Tidewater

At times, really long casts are needed, especially when spinner fishing for salmon from the bank at high tide.  A 9-10' casting rod is definitely an asset.  I use a 10 footer since most of my salmon bank fishing spots are open without obstructions.

A medium action fishing rod (flex in the top section, stiffer in the mid-section and butt) along with a minimum 16'' handle works best for me. 


Freshwater

An 8.5'-10' rod can be used.  Length is determined by the amount of obstructions you're dealing with... especially when bank fishing for salmon.  The tidewater standards listed above apply here as well.


The Best Salmon Fishing Line:  Freshwater and Tidewater

Braid, monofilament and fluorocarbon are all used.  Each has its own benefits and liabilities.  Here are all the details.

“How strong does my salmon fishing line need to be?”  Anywhere from 12 to 30 lb test based on your quarry and location.  “How about casting efficiency?”  This depends upon the weight of your salmon spinner including extra weight added to your leader, if any.

 
Leaders for Salmon Fishing:  Freshwater and Tidewater


Make sure your leader is not quite as strong as your mainline.  If your salmon fishing lure is stuck in a log, the leader will break instead.  Leader length... about 2' works fine.

If it's too long you'll have difficulty casting, especially in the wind.  I don't think salmon care much about the fishing leader when they're keyed in for the kill.  Here's more.


Your Salmon Fishing Knot Must be Reliable:  Freshwater and Tidewater

My preference has been the clinch knot when I'm spinner fishing for salmon and steelhead.  I've always used Maxima fishing line and never needed to wet the knot before tightening.  I double up my leader before tying this reliable salmon and steelhead fishing knot.

I'm sure there are other fishing knots that are just as trustworthy.  Here's a very detailed salmon and steelhead fishing knot guide...

This one covers the basics.


Using the Best Snap Swivel

Bank sinker with snap attachment without swivelChange weights easily while you're spinner fishing for salmon!
Bank sinker with snap attachment without swivelChange weights easily while you're spinner fishing for salmon!


Tidewater Salmon Spinner Fishing

Use a barrel swivel with a fairly large, rounded snap.  This needs to be stronger than your salmon leader.  The snap enables you to change the amount of fishing weight you're using quickly and easily.

You're never on the bottom so this “dropper” set up won't snag easily.

You can use stainless but...

I've always used the painted black snap swivels without rusting from saltwater salmon fishing.


Freshwater

Just use a barrel swivel that's stronger than your salmon fishing leader for your mainline / leader connection... stainless or painted black.

The snap is not needed, just use split shot crimped on your fishing line.  Here's more.

 
Salmon Fishing Sinker

Tidewater

Using a bank sinker with your snap swivel works great!  Carry a few different sizes for different depths and tidal flows.


Freshwater

I've always used split shot which won't snag up easily... they “pull through” the rocks.  A dropper-type set up will snag more often. 

If they become hard to re-use, save your shot and melt them down later to make your own bank sinkers.


Spinner Selection, Conditions, and Salmon Fishing Techniques

Using color technology to catch more fish bookUsing color technology to catch more fish WORKS
Using color technology to catch more fish bookUsing color technology to catch more fish WORKS


Instead of repeating the content from our freshwater Spinner Fishing for Steelhead Page...

Just click here to learn about proper salmon spinner fishing lure choices, approach, circumstances, what to expect and more!

A few exceptions are included below:


Freshwater Spinner Fishing for salmon

This is pretty much the same as spinner fishing for steelhead except you'll need...


  • A larger salmon spinner (not always)

  • Stronger spinner components including...

  • Larger and stronger salmon hooks, clevice, and wire shaft


If you're fishing tidewater...


  • …and your preferred fishing hook is not stainless... no big deal.  Just file off the rust

  • I like to rinse my spinners off at the end of the day with warm, soapy water

  • You might need to polish your salmon spinners... Simichrome is the best polish on this planet!


Water Type when Spinner Fishing for Salmon

Freshwater

Chinook Salmon


I've caught Chinook salmon in all types of holding water.  However, areas with deep, strong flows produce more results for me than anywhere else.  How deep?  Roughly 4-8'.  However, this is not set in stone.


Exceptions:


  • I've also caught Chinook Salmon in riffles, deep, slow pools and tailouts.  During low, warm water salmon fishing conditions... Chinook Salmon prefer different holding water various times of the day. 

    For instance... I catch Spring Chinook in two feet of water right below a cooler little tributary when it's almost dark early or late in the day.  As soon as it gets a little light, they're gone.


  • Or... if there's a lot of salmon fishing pressure on a “popular” spot, try your salmon spinner fishing expertise above or below...

    ...in the unpopular water.  Fish will retreat into these areas.


Whole books are written about this topic.  I just want you to think outside the box in different circumstances while fishing hardware for salmon.


Coho Salmon

Many salmon fishermen believe Coho prefer pink, orange, and other bright colors...

Weighted salmon or steelhead orange-bodied spinnerIf the hook gets dull... cut it off, then add a split ring and new hook
Weighted red-bodied, silver-bladed salmon or steelhead spinnerIf the hook gets dull... cut it off, then add a split ring and new hook


Coho do prefer to hold in slower areas of the salmon stream including deep, slow holes.  However, similar to Chinook Salmon, I've caught a them in other places as well.  Refer to my exceptions above.


Tidewater Salmon

Chinook

Depth:  I've caught Chinook Salmon from 4' to 20' deep in all different areas of tidewater.  Occasionally, even though a spot is, say, 16' deep... the fish might be suspended up off the bottom.

I've caught lots of chinook salmon right after my salmon blade hits the water... even in deep places.  I never want to feel my salmon spinner tick the bottom.


Here's a great article about conservation of the species and what we can do to help!


Coho

I've caught Chinook and Coho Salmon in the same areas and at the same time.

Perhaps if I was only fishing for Coho, I might occasionally prefer different types of holding water.

When spinner fishing for salmon... I mainly target Chinook.  Coho Salmon are a bonus.


Share Your Spinner Fishing Thoughts Here

We're always learning.  The best way is from experience.  Our visitors, experienced or beginner salmon or steelhead spinner fishermen...

Learn from others.  This is your chance to contribute (you don't need to give up all of your secrets).  Let's hear what you have to say!

Including photos would be great (if you have them).  Your input will become a Page on our Website  :-)


Optimum Salmon Fishing Water Temperatures: Tidewater and Freshwater

Spinner fishing for salmon during optimum water temperatures may help your success.  However, if your salmon spinner fishing days are limited... just go fishing!

These are just guidelines... nothing more...


  • Chinook:  53-55 degrees 

  • Coho:  52-57 degrees


I'm sure these optimum salmon water temperature ranges are different from other salmon fishing sources.  I read about these from a little salmon fishing book I bought a long time ago...


...and I feel it's really accurate according to my own salmon bank fishing time on the water.


Tidal Fishing Tips:  Coho and Chinook Salmon

  • Time of the tide:  A couple hours before low slack, during and up to a couple hours afterwards.  Spinner fishing for salmon during high tide is the same.

    I've caught Coho and Chinook Salmon in between high and low tide as well but... where I salmon fish...

    Weeds and scum are usually a problem at this time.

  • Weather:  Unlike spinner fishing for salmon in freshwater, successful fishing in the rain, probably due to a low barometer, is rare.  The closer I get to freshwater... the less this seems to matter.

  • Time of the day:  After about 3-4 pm things slow down unless there's a really high or low tide.  Like weather, the closer I am to freshwater, the less this matters.

  • Depth:  High tide vs low tide.  If I was fishing, say, 6' deep at low tide, I would probably fish the same depth at high or up to a few feet deeper (7-10').

  • Tidal series:  Alternating periods of big tidal swings are best.  However, holding tides later in the salmon fishing season seem to produce just as well.


Coho Technique and Lure Selection Exceptions: Tidewater and Freshwater Spinner Fishing

  • Faster retrieve.  Slow it down as well.

  • Brighter color.  Some swear by brighter colors when spinner fishing for Coho salmon.  Maybe (confidence is a big factor). 

    I use the same colors I use for other fish, I feel my color selection is based on salmon fishing conditions.


What is the Main Ingredient when Spinner Fishing for Salmon?

PUTTING IN YOUR TIME!

Using the information I've provided (and more)... blended with the time you spend on the river spinner fishing for salmon... will produce results. 

Don't stop here.  Keep reading and fishing.  There's lot's of salmon fishing information out there on the internet... some good and some not so good.  You'll need to sort it out.  You can trust our Hebo Sporting Goods Blog.

Don't get caught up in all the hype including those big, beautiful pictures of chrome, spinner-caught Chinook Salmon!  Keep moving forward.  Good luck!