What Size Reel is Best for Salmon Fishing? A Detailed Guide

Salmon fishing is a thrilling experience that requires specialized gear to be successful. One of the most important pieces of equipment is your fishing reel. When you go salmon fishing, picking the right size reel can make all the difference in how well you catch these big, tough fish. This complete guide will tell you everything you need to know to choose the best salmon reel.

Why Reel Size Matters for Salmon

Salmon are large, powerful fish that make long, fast runs when hooked. They can strip line off your reel at an alarming rate if it’s not designed to handle them. Using too small of a reel against big salmon often ends in heartbreak when they spool you and break off. On the other hand, oversized reels are heavy, hard to cast, and unnecessary for most salmon fishing applications.

The ideal salmon reel has a large line capacity to withstand long runs, a strong drag system to turn the fish, and refined gearing for non-stop cranking power. Reel size plays a major role in determining these vital characteristics. Matching your reel size properly to the salmon you’re targeting will give you a major advantage.

Spinning Reels vs Baitcasting Reels

The first decision is whether to use a spinning reel or baitcasting reel. Both have their advantages, but spinning reels tend to be more popular for salmon. Here’s a quick overview of the pros and cons:

Spinning Reels

• Easier to cast, especially for beginners
• More line capacity due to larger spools
• Excellent drag systems on quality reels
• Models available for any salmon species and fishing style

Baitcasting Reels

• More cranking power and gearing speed
• Compact size and low weight
• Precise lure control
• Require practice to master casting

Spinning reels are generally the best all-around choice for salmon due to their excellent drags, large line capacity, and easy casting. Baitcasters work well for salmon too, but require mastery of casting techniques to avoid frustrating backlashes

What Size Spinning Reel for Salmon?

For salmon, you’ll want a larger sized spinning reel in the 4000 to 6000 size range. Here are some specific size recommendations based on the most popular salmon species:

• Chinook Salmon – Go with a 5000 to 6000 size reel The extra large spool capacity is needed for these powerful kings,

• Sockeye Salmon: A 4000 to 5000 size reel works well for sockeye that are wild.

• Coho Salmon – A 3000 to 4000 size reel is a good fit for average-sized coho.

• Pink Salmon – Smaller pinks can be handled with a 2500 to 3000 size reel.

You can see that the size of the reel pretty much matches the size of the fish. Chinook and sockeye salmon have fast runs that need heavier gear. Coho and pink salmon, on the other hand, can be caught with medium-sized reels. Match your reel size to the predominant salmon you’re pursuing.

Key Features to Look For

Once you’ve settled on the ideal size, there are several performance features to evaluate when selecting your salmon spinning reel:

• Strong drag system – Look for maximum drag pressures over 15 lbs. Smoother is better than jerky.

• Large line capacity – Seek out reels that hold 200+ yards of heavy mono or braid.

• Durable construction – Metal bodies and components can take a beating.

• Smooth performance – Ensure the reel has refined gearing and a fluid crank.

• Sealed components – Keep water and grit out of vital gears and bearings.

Prioritizing these traits will lead you to a salmon-worthy spinning reel. High-end reels from brands like Shimano, Penn, and Daiwa are expensive but deliver on these attributes. There are also more affordable options for budget-minded anglers.

Spinning Reel Suggestions

Here are some excellent spinning reel options to consider for targeting salmon:

• Shimano Stradic FK – A top-shelf reel with awesome drag power and smoothness. Sizes 1000 through 5000.

• Penn Battle II – Affordable workhorse capable of fighting big fish. Sizes 1000 through 8000.

• Daiwa BG – A favorite for its rugged build and silk-smooth crank. Sizes 1500 through 8000.

• Okuma Ceymar – Lightweight with fluid performance. Great value reel. Sizes C-10 through C-55.

• Pflueger President – Super smooth reel at a budget-friendly price. Sizes 20 through 60.

Go with one of these proven spinning reels for salmon in the appropriate size and you’ll have a reel you can trust. Dialing in your reel selection is a key step to salmon fishing success.

Using Large Reels for Salmon

Some anglers question whether jumbo sized 8000 to 10000 class spinning reels are necessary for salmon. Here are the pros and cons of using these monster reels:

Pros

• Virtually unlimited line capacity
• Stop even the biggest salmon in their tracks
• Built for extreme battles

Cons

• Very bulky and heavy
• Major overkill for most salmon
• Difficult to cast and fatigue your arms

Giant saltwater-sized spinning reels are only warranted if you are targeting world-record sized Chinook in excess of 50+ pounds. For the much more common 15 to 30 pound salmon, a 4000 to 6000 size reel is more than adequate and much easier to fish with.

Stick with reasonably sized salmon reels to avoid overloading your fishing setup. Use braided line if you need to maximize capacity without the bulk of a huge reel.

Pairing Rods and Reels

Your salmon fishing rod and reel need to be balanced to work together smoothly. Match your rod power and length to the size of the reel:

• Light reels (1000-3000) – Ultralight to medium power rods under 8 feet

• Medium reels (4000-5000) – Medium-heavy power 8-10 foot rods

• Large reels (6000-8000) – Heavy power 9-11 foot rods

Follow these general rod and reel pairing guidelines to assemble a well-balanced salmon fishing outfit.

Retrieve Speed and Gear Ratio

Spinning reels have gear ratios like 5:2:1 or 6:2:1 that indicate the reel’s retrieve speed and power. For salmon, moderate gear ratios in the 5:0:1 to 6:0:1 range provide a good blend of cranking speed and power. Slower reels struggle to regain line quickly, while ultra-fast models sacrifice torque.

Added Tips and Info

• Rely on smooth drags over high max drag. Faster setting drags encourage more break-offs.

• Braided lines allow downsizing reels while retaining strength and capacity.

• Always leave at least 10% of your reel capacity empty to allow for surging runs.

• Low profile reels are great, but watch the reduced line capacity compared to round reels.

• Alaska anglers step up their gear substantially to battle enormous kings.

Taking the time to get your salmon reel size, features, and pairings dialed in will give you the tools you need to land more fish. With this knowledge, you’ll have the confidence to turn loose even the most powerful salmon on your next trip!