Alaska river salmon line choice

[Nova]

On the rivers in Alaska, do you use the super braid line, fireline or stick to mono? I would think fireline would hold up better in the rocks and stuff, but I would also think you'd need the strech of mono to play those powerful fish. What is your preferrence? I am leaning towards 17lb. mono right now, but saw a show last night where they were using some kind of braided line.

[alagnak]

We have tried many different braids over the years and there is only a couple of situations where they are better than mono. 99% of the time I would go with a high quality low stretch mono like Maxima that is abrasion resistant. You hit it on the button when you mentioned needing some stretch. Salmon have very hard mouths and if you don't have some stretch you will simply rip the hook out or bend the hooks, possibly bust your rod. Something has got to give a little bit when they head-thrash. When I have used braided I still blood knot about a 6 foot piece of maxima or heavy floro on the end anyway for a little bit of a shock cord. That works pretty good when trolling when the smaller diameter line may help you get the lure down but most rivers aren't THAT deep and the trolling lures we use usually dive good enough anyway. If you can, use a little longer rod than you may be use to using here also. I've seen many people from down here bring up 6-6.5 ft musky pool cues and have some issues with sensitivity and the end half of the rod not giving enough. Most of the time the longer the better but depends on your situation of course.

I know there are lots of good lines out there and you may have one to try that you are confindent with- but I have a ton of confidence with maxima. Make sure if you are fishing from shore you have lots of line on your reel too! From a boat it's not as much of an issue but you always need more than around here- keep that in mind.

Hope this helps a little if you have anyother questions don't be afraid to ask on here or shoot me an email. Where are you headed anyway?

Pete

[Nova]

we are starting out on the Kenia at Sprucewood lodge out of Saldotna for 6 nights, then off on our own 3 more days. I am planning on bring 7'6" rods with bait caster holding about 300 yards of line and a couple 8'6" planner board rods with bait casters also and a couple 7' rods with open face reels holding about 150 yeards of line. We will be in a boat 3 days and shore fishing the rest of the time. Once again, thanks for the help.

[alagnak]

Those sound like great rod choices to bring! You should be pretty happy with those up there. What time of year/what species are you targeting?

Pete

[Nova]

First week in August and mostly going for silver salmon. I am sure we will get into a little trout fishing also, but I am not a big fly fishing guy. I want to concentrate on the silvers.