Salmon rod weight

FishHunter8999

FishHunter8999

Smolt
Currently saving up for an 8wt setup, but don't want to miss out on the Coho run. I have a 6wt now, is it worth trying to fish with, or will it be too light? I've only ever salmon fished with gear prior, but I've gotten addicted to fly and don't really want to fish gear anymore if I can help it lol.

If I am fishing the 6wt for now, any leader/tippet suggestions? I have yet to fish heavier than 0X.

Thanks in advance for the advice!
 
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WonderBrad said:
I like my 7 weight. I lost a big strong salmon on a 6wt while SRC fishing. That fish was just unstoppable. I think the reel matters as well. The click and pawl reel was not the best choice...
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Ya the reel likely didn't help much there. But to be fair, if it's a fish that is unstoppable on a 6, a 7 isn't likely to do much better. Most likely a Chinook, and if it was a larger one isn't really gonna be "stopped" with an 8 wt either.

I've yet to encounter a coho in the sound that couldn't be handled with a 6, and if I do ever find one I'll be happy either way lol. Still, if ya like your 7 there's not a darn thing wrong with that either. I spent a decent amount of seasons targeting salmon exclusively with an 8. Never felt over gunned at all, just eventually moved back to the 6 just because it's overall easier to cast for long periods of time.
 
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Hooked into a Chinook on my 7# today in swiftish current and it absolutely kicked my ass. Was targeting coho and even the bigger specimens had me thinking it's time to size up.

I feel like current (or lack thereof) is the biggest factor for me. Coho in frog water? Can probably get them in pretty quickly on a 5-6#. Something flowing at a jog/run? A stiff 8#.
 
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