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[burntcookie]

Hi everyone,

I'm a newbie who is wants to get into salmon fishing in the autumn. I have a Fenwick Canadian Methods spinning rod (9ft, 10-25lb, 3/8-1 oz) and an Abu Cardinal 503 albi reel with 10 lb mono.

I live about a 10 minute walk away from the middle arm of the tidal fraser river, so I was thinking of starting out there and also around the south arm (e.g. near Garry pt.). I was thinking of mainly casting spoons and spinners in these areas, would this setup be too heavy for that purpose? Can I bottom fish with this rod? Also, any general advice about fishing in this area would be greatly appreciated.

[Rodney]

The setup is ok, personally I prefer to use a lighter setup but it really depends on what species of salmon you are targeting. For both pink and coho salmon, which are the two species regularly targeted in the Tidal Fraser, a rod that is rated 4-10, 6-10, 8-12 is ideal for this application. I use a 4-10lb 9' Shimano Clarus for casting and retrieving spoons and spinners. A heavier rod simply means you'd get tired more easily after casting and retrieving repeatedly. 4-10lb test is more than enough for both pink and coho salmon. I use 8lb test mono for spinning. 10lb is ok too. Line thickness determines how far you can cast your spoon. eg. 8lb test can cast a 1/4oz spoon further than 10lb test. For bottom fishing, a slightly heavier setup is preferred, thicker line is used since it is in the water most of the time, where abrasion from silt and snags can cause damage.

http://www.fishingwithrod.com/articles/estuary_fishing/fishing_for_tidal_fraser_pink_salmon.html

http://www.fishingwithrod.com/articles/estuary_fishing/tidal_fraser_river_fall_salmon_fishery.html

http://www.fishingwithrod.com/articles/region_two/tidal_fraser_river.html

http://www.fishingwithrod.com/blog/2012/10/09/opening-success-in-the-tidal-fraser-river/

http://www.fishingwithrod.com/blog/2011/09/03/be-confident-on-your-lures/

http://www.fishingwithrod.com/blog/2009/09/02/the-pink-fever-begins/

http://www.fishingwithrod.com/blog/2010/10/13/a-spectacular-ending/

http://www.fishingwithrod.com/blog/2009/10/12/triple-spectacular-tidal-fraser-outings-on-thanksgiving/

[joshuag232]

I noticed you edited your post, but if you're still interested in doing some bottom fishing that rod is just fine. With a few months to go until Pink Salmon season, bottom fishing can be an entertaining way to kill some time close to home. Try a sliding bottom rig with worms or shrimp. You can catch Pikeminnow, Starry Flounder, Bullhead, Bull Trout, Peamouth Chub and Sturgeon. I have never personally fished the middle arm but I can imagine it's pretty similar to other areas of the tidal Fraser.