new to salmon fishing

Question
Hi, I fish on the lower Niagara River for smallmouth and the occasional steelhead. I want to start fishing for the Chinook and the Coho salmon there. The water is very violent with the rapids and whirlpools. I'm hoping you can give me some advice on the rod length, action, and the line# I should use? I still want to be able to cast a decent distance because I have seen people having luck using spinners and spoons. Should I use a leader for salmon and trout fishing?
Thanks, Brian

Answer
Although I know nothing about Atlantic salmon, other than the farm raised ones we can buy in stores here, I stink I can help a little.

Around here for about the last 20 years the general opinion was that casting reels are better, but in the last couple of years, a huge surge of people are going back to spinning reels as they have become lighter, and more efficient. From the bank I would look for a 9 foot, medium spinning rod with "slow action" and a line weight of about 10 - 12. A matching spinning reel would work great.

I would start with 14 lb mainline, and 12 lb leader, you can go heavier in darker, turbid water.

Steelhead like spoons, and Both steelhead and salmon will gobble the spinners. I usually fish spinners a lot more than spoons, and rig them with 2 feet of leader behind a 3 bead chain swivel.

green and silver or copper spinners produce well in all conditions.

You might find a wealth of information about salmon fishing by getting a free membership to www.ifish.net, and posting your questions on there. The site is local to my area in Oregon, but with such a large active membership, I am sure someone who has fished the Niagara will have some advice.

Sorry I can be of more help, Salmon fishing is so localized you might have a better chance talking to someone at a sporting goods store.

Thanks
Kelly Johnson
www.NWFamilyFishing.com