What type of spinning rod for salmon?

Greetings,

I am going to try to catch a king or two this year for the first time. I was wondering what type of spinning rod I should go for.

I typically fish for trib steelhead with a noodle rod and 4-6 lb test, but that obviously won't be enough in this case.

Is a 7 foot medium action rod okay? How about a 8.5 or 9 ft medium action? Which is better (or should I go for something completely different)?

I am planning on spooling up with 14 lb test.

Thanks a lot for your help.

Those numbers are what I use also don't be afraid to go lighter on the line,( 10-12 Pound) for salmon that have seen alot of the 30 pound rope that the shark hunters use. Also the lighter line requires less weight to get it down for those fish that are spooked by a big ol' splash of 1/2 pound of sinkers. Good Luck

9-1/2ft. Ugly Stick. I don't like using my 10' noodle rod. Not enough backbone. Plus I don't want to be the KNUCKLEHEAD who ties up the river for an hour trying to get his fish in. That gets under my skin. I think we all seen those guys before. It's better to be a little over than under when it comes to gear.

I will say it has been many years since we spin fished for Salmon only due to personal choice nothing against spinning. Anyway, the above advice was all good and would only add to getting a good rod that feels good, light & strong. Ugly sticks are great rods but to me on the heavy side to hold all day and cast. (hence why I fly fish salmon anyway, much lighter rods). I have used browning rods with ok results but can say I'm an old school st. croix man. Mine (4) are probably at least 20 years old and got heavy use back then. Great rods (imo)

Again only thing I could add is to feel the rod before you buy it !!

luke,P-Line Flora is reasonably priced and is as good as the more expensive stuff.I've used most of them and that's my go to tippet now.

You guys really find fluro necessary on salmon ??? I don't , tried it, used it and found no difference in catching salmon...
deadfishred,I have seen schools of salmon swim away from 12, even 10 lb mono tippet but in broken water and an aggressive "Hot" fish, they don't care if it was 30lb cable as long as they see the fly. To me it's just a why pay extra. Steelie yea they get finicky I will admit . I think Jimmy caught his on at least 12lb cut up mono leader...

ORIGINAL: hot tuna

You guys really find fluro necessary on salmon ??? I don't , tried it, used it and found no difference in catching salmon...
deadfishred,I have seen schools of salmon swim away from 12, even 10 lb mono tippet but in broken water and an aggressive "Hot" fish, they don't care if it was 30lb cable as long as they see the fly. To me it's just a why pay extra. Steelie yea they get finicky I will admit . I think Jimmy caught his on at least 12lb cut up mono leader...

I'm convinced that salmon that have already endured the gauntlet (made it upstream from town)are very very line shy. I started hooking at least 2x as many salmon once I switched from big game leader to flouro leader...and half as many were foul hooked...now maybe I changed my drifting technique, or maybe I switched up fly patterns, but I definetly see the salmon actively move away from fishing line. Last time I was up at the SR, I was fishing for steelies that were eating the salmon eggs up at Wire...the I would cast upstream to where there was a pod of salmon...they would all move to the side to avoid the line, and it would drift nicely to where the steelies were holding.

It is definetly a pressure thing though, cause in the smaller tribs out west, down in douglaston's or any time before mid-september, the salmon don't seem to give a squat about line...