Buddy called today and asked if I was interested in going to Pulaski,ny for the salmon run. He knows even less about fishing then I do lol but apparently his friend has fished the run before.

I watched a video or two on YouTube. Saw guys using fly rods and spinning reels. My question is what kind of gear/line would I need for these fish? They look to be in the 10-30lb range?

I have some medium light and medium spinners with 2500 size reels and medium heavy low pro casters. Not really looking to buy a new setup or rod or reel.

Can I catch and land these fish with what I have already? Thanks in advance.

I use a 10' casting rod and Calcutta reel with 12# mono. Go up to the raven fishing site to see the float riggings that work well with bright beads for salmon.

I use a 10' casting rod and Calcutta reel with 12# mono. Go up to the raven fishing site to see the float riggings that work well with bright beads for salmon.

10 foot? I don't have anything like that. Could I get away with a 7'm st.croix? The videos I watched they were using longer rods as well is that a necessity?

Thanks for the tip on the spot. The videos I was watching today the guys were using something that sounds similar to the rig you mentioned. I will research those.

You can. Just hang on. Nothing can stop their initial run.

Sounds like a good time. Thanks for the info John.

Yup, like John said, just hang on! I use a 7' sometimes and it works fine. A longer rod is beneficial for float fishing for a number of reasons, but a shorter rod can still work fine.

I'd lean towards the MH casting set up of what you have there. That's what I call combat fishing up there. Shoulder to shoulder with some goon drifting or casting right across you. The more willing you are to hike the better off you may be. I don't mean to be negative, just describing what to expect. I like steel head fishing after the salmon guys leave. 

Thanks Mike. I had heard that it's shoulder to shoulder and mentioned this to my buddy and even heard fights have broken out. We'll see if he puts this trip together.

Be a fun fish to catch.

The key up there is to communicate. Say hello, ask how the guys are doing, and if they don't mind you slipping into a gap. Shoulder to shoulder is probably an exaggeration, though the well known holes get crowded, even during the later brown run. Watch how the guys around you are drifting, and follow the cadence. For the most part, there's fish for everyone, and when you hook up, everyone gets excited. Just don't be the guy with the UL and 4# line chasing a fish up and down the river to keep it from spooling you, lol. Everyone hates that guy. Have fun man, it's a blast.