Trout & Salmon Fishing Gear Guide: Rods, Reels, Lures & Tackle

Trout and salmon are among the most pursued fish in North America — prized equally for their fight, their habitat, and the skill they demand from the angler. Whether you’re wading a mountain stream for rainbow trout, trolling for chinook salmon on the Great Lakes, or drifting roe patterns through a Pacific Northwest river for coho, both species reward anglers who match their gear precisely to the conditions. This guide from West Marine covers everything you need: trout and salmon rods, reels, line and leaders, lures and bait, and species-specific gear setups for every major trout and salmon fishery.

Trout Fishing: Species, Habitat & Approach

Trout fishing covers an enormous range of environments — from small mountain creeks for brook trout to deep cold-water lakes for lake trout to tailwaters and freestone rivers for wild rainbow and brown trout. Each environment demands a somewhat different approach, but the common thread is precision: presentation, line weight, and lure selection all matter more than in most other freshwater fishing. Understanding your target species and habitat is the starting point for every trout fishing setup.

Trout Species Overview

Rainbow trout: The most widely distributed trout species in the US. Found in cold rivers, tailwaters, and lakes across the country. Rainbows are aggressive feeders that respond well to spinners, soft plastics, flies, and PowerBait. The steelhead — the sea-run form of rainbow trout — is among the hardest-fighting fish in freshwater and requires significantly heavier gear.
Brown trout: The wariest and most selective of the major trout species. Brown trout thrive in rivers and lakes and are notoriously difficult to fool in clear, pressured water. They grow large — double-digit fish are possible in quality rivers — and feed heavily on baitfish as they get bigger, making large streamers and swimbaits effective for trophy fish.
Brook trout: The smallest of the major trout species and the original native trout of the eastern US. Found in cold, clear headwater streams. Brook trout are relatively easy to catch and respond to small spinners, worms, and tiny dry flies. Best suited to ultralight tackle.
Lake trout: A cold, deep-water species found primarily in the Great Lakes and large northern lakes. Lake trout spend most of their time in deep water and are most commonly caught by trolling with downriggers, jigging heavy spoons, or trolling with lead-core line. They can exceed 40 lb in quality fisheries.
Cutthroat trout: Native to western US rivers and mountain lakes. Named for the red slashes under the jaw, cutthroats are less wary than brown trout and respond well to dry flies, spinners, and small spoons. Found in backcountry streams and high-altitude lakes across the Rockies and Cascades.
Steelhead (sea-run rainbow): Migratory rainbow trout that spend time in the ocean before returning to rivers to spawn. Found on both coasts — Pacific Northwest rivers from California through Alaska, and the Great Lakes tributary system. Steelhead require heavier gear than resident trout and are among the most sought-after fish in freshwater.

Trout Fishing Rods: Matching Rod to Water and Species

Trout fishing rod selection depends primarily on the size of the water and the target species. Small streams demand short, light rods that cast accurately in tight quarters. Open rivers, lakes, and tailwaters allow longer rods that improve casting distance and line control. Browse West Marine’s full selection of trout fishing rods to find the right fit.

Spinning Rods for Trout Fishing

5–6.5 foot, ultralight, fast action: Small stream rod for brook and small rainbow trout. Light enough to feel 1/16 oz spinners and small jigs, with enough sensitivity to detect light bites in clear water. Perfect for backcountry creeks and tight brush situations.
6.5–7 foot, light to medium-light, fast action: The most versatile trout spinning rod. Handles spinners, spoons, small crankbaits, soft plastics, and PowerBait on rivers and lakes from 4–10 lb line. The go-to setup for stocked trout fishing, tailwaters, and most river situations.
7–8 foot, medium-light to medium, moderate action: Best for streamer fishing, larger lures, and rivers where longer casts improve presentation. The steelhead-light setup — also effective for large brown trout and lake trout in shallower conditions.

Spinning Rods for Steelhead and Lake Trout

Steelhead spinning rod: 8.5–10.5 foot, medium to medium-heavy, moderate-fast action. Length provides line mending control and reach in large rivers. Power to handle fish that may run 10–20 lb on light tippets. Most steelhead anglers use 10–17 lb fluorocarbon or braid-to-fluoro setups.
Lake trout trolling rod: 7–8.5 foot, medium-heavy to heavy, moderate action. Stiff enough to handle the resistance of deep trolling and large jigging spoons, with a sensitive tip for detecting bites at depth when vertical jigging. Pairs with downriggers for precision depth control.

Trout Fishing Reels & Line

Spinning Reels for Trout

A 1000–2500 size spinning reel handles most trout fishing situations. Look for a smooth drag, at least 5 ball bearings, and a gear ratio of 5.2:1–6.2:1. Ultralight fishing for small stream trout uses a 1000 size; general river and lake trout fishing uses a 2000–2500 size. For steelhead, step up to a 3000–4000 size reel with a strong drag capable of handling long runs on heavier line. A pre-matched trout fishing rod and reel combo simplifies setup for new anglers.

Best Fishing Line for Trout

Fluorocarbon (4–8 lb): The top choice for clear-water trout fishing. Near-invisible underwater and low-stretch for sensitive bite detection. Use on the main spool for most river and lake applications where line visibility is a factor.
Monofilament (4–8 lb): The most forgiving and versatile option for stocked trout, stream fishing, and situations where line stretch is an asset. Slightly more visible than fluorocarbon but easier to manage and less expensive to replace frequently.
Braid with fluorocarbon leader (steelhead): 10–20 lb braid on the main spool with a 10–15 lb fluorocarbon leader gives steelhead anglers sensitivity, zero stretch, and low visibility near the lure. Also the preferred setup for lake trout jigging at depth.

Browse West Marine’s selection of trout fishing line and leaders to find the right weight and material for your fishery.

Trout Fishing Lures & Bait

Trout fishing lures cover a wide spectrum — from 1/16 oz inline spinners to 6-inch streamers to live nightcrawlers. Trout are opportunistic feeders that eat insects, baitfish, crayfish, and anything else that fits in their mouths. The best approach matches the forage available in the specific water you’re fishing. West Marine carries a range of trout fishing lures and bait for every method.

Best Trout Fishing Lures

Inline spinners (Mepps, Panther Martin, Blue Fox): The most universally effective trout lures. The spinning blade creates flash and vibration that triggers strikes from rainbow, brown, and brook trout across all water types. Size 0–3 covers most trout fishing. Gold and silver blades in various body colors produce reliably across conditions.
Spoons (Kastmaster, Little Cleo, Krocodile): Especially effective for lake trout and large stream-dwelling rainbows and browns. Cast a long distance and sink quickly — useful for covering open-water structure and working deep runs. Silver and gold with hammered finishes are the standard color choices for trout.
Small crankbaits and minnow plugs (Rapala Original Floater, Rapala Countdown): Minnow-style crankbaits are particularly effective for large brown and rainbow trout in rivers and lakes. The Rapala Original Floater in size 5–7 is one of the most proven trout lures in history. Use with light monofilament for proper lure action.
Soft plastics (Berkley PowerBait, grubs, small worms): Berkley PowerBait in dough form is the standard lure for stocked rainbow trout on still water — the scent formula is highly effective on hatchery fish. Small grubs and finesse worms on 1/16–1/8 oz jig heads produce trout in rivers and lakes when worked slowly along the bottom.
Live and cut bait (nightcrawlers, worms, minnows): Natural bait remains highly effective for trout, especially in rivers. Nightcrawlers drifted under a float or on a sliding sinker rig produce trout across all species. Minnows are particularly effective for large brown trout and lake trout.
Jigging spoons (for lake trout): Heavy metal spoons (3/4–1.5 oz) jigged vertically at depth are the most effective presentation for lake trout in deep water. Flutter and flash on the drop triggers strikes. Silver, white, and gold patterns with UV finishes produce well in low-light depths.

Best Trout Lures by Species

Rainbow trout: Inline spinners (Mepps 1–2), PowerBait, small spoons, small crankbaits, nightcrawlers
Brown trout: Rapala minnow plugs, large inline spinners, streamers, nightcrawlers, and live minnows (for trophy fish)
Brook trout: Small inline spinners (Mepps 0–1), dry flies, small spoons, worms in moving water
Lake trout: Heavy jigging spoons, swimbaits, Jigging Rapala size 7–9, large tube jigs with sucker meat — and trolling rigs behind downriggers at depth
Steelhead: Egg patterns (single eggs, egg clusters), bead fishing, corkies, jigs under a float, streamers in rivers with good flow

Trout Fishing Techniques

River and Stream Trout Fishing

Reading the water is the core skill in river trout fishing. Trout hold in predictable positions — along current seams where fast and slow water meet, in front of and behind large rocks, at the head and tail of pools, under overhanging banks, and in eddies where food accumulates. Fish these features systematically rather than randomly covering water. Cast upstream and allow presentations to drift naturally at the fish’s depth. Minimize drag on lures and bait by mending line upstream after the cast.

Lake and Reservoir Trout Fishing

Lake trout fishing relies on locating fish at the right depth. In early season (spring and late fall), trout are often in shallow water — fish nearshore structure with spinners, spoons, and crankbaits. As temperatures rise, trout go deep to find cooler water — typically 40–55°F. Trolling with downriggers or lead-core line at the right depth is the most efficient way to cover water and locate fish during summer. A fish finder helps locate depth, baitfish concentrations, and individual fish marks.

Salmon Fishing: Species, Habitat & Approach

Salmon fishing in North America covers both Pacific and Atlantic species — each with distinct habitats, runs, and gear requirements. Pacific salmon (chinook, coho, sockeye, pink, and chum) are among the most popular sport fish on the West Coast and in the Great Lakes. Atlantic salmon dominate the rivers of New England, Quebec, and the Maritime provinces. Understanding which species you’re targeting, and at what stage of their lifecycle, determines every gear choice from rod weight to salmon fishing lures.

Pacific Salmon Species Overview

Chinook (King) salmon: The largest Pacific salmon, averaging 20–40 lb with trophy fish exceeding 80 lb. Found from California through Alaska in coastal rivers and the ocean. Chinook in the Great Lakes are widely stocked and one of the primary targets of the Great Lakes trolling fishery. Require heavy gear — medium-heavy to heavy rods, 20–40 lb line, and strong reels with reliable drag.
Coho (Silver) salmon: Lighter than chinook, averaging 8–15 lb, but aggressive and spectacular fighters. Found in Pacific coastal rivers and widely stocked in the Great Lakes. Coho are highly responsive to spoons, spinners, and trolling lures. Coho salmon fishing lures include smaller spoons (2–3 oz), spinners, and hoochies.
Sockeye salmon: Primarily a commercial species, but sportfished in rivers during spawning runs. Sockeye are filter feeders in the ocean and don’t readily take lures — river fishing for sockeye typically uses flossing techniques or small, brightly colored jigs.
Pink salmon: The most abundant Pacific salmon, returning on odd-numbered years in large numbers to coastal rivers. Small and light (3–6 lb), pink salmon hit small spoons and spinners aggressively — excellent for lighter tackle fishing.
Kokanee salmon: The landlocked form of sockeye, found in cold, deep lakes throughout the West. Kokanee are a popular trolling target, typically caught using small, brightly colored spoons and hoochies at controlled depths behind downriggers. Kokanee salmon fishing lures include small wedding rings, Dick Nite spoons, and UV-finished hoochies.

Salmon Fishing Rods & Reels

Salmon fishing rods vary significantly by method — river vs. trolling vs. casting — and by species size. Matching the rod to both the species and the technique is critical for effective hooksets and fish-fighting ability.

Salmon Fishing Rod Selection

River salmon spinning rod: 9–10.5 foot, medium-heavy to heavy, moderate-fast action. Length provides line control in large, fast rivers. Power to handle fish up to 40+ lb on 15–20 lb line. Used for drift fishing, float fishing, and casting spinners and spoons in rivers.
Trolling rod (Great Lakes and ocean): 7–8.5 foot, medium-heavy to heavy, moderate action. Stiff enough to handle the resistance of trolling at speed and the power of large chinook. Pairs with a rod holder and downrigger for precision depth control. Line counter reels are standard for trolling applications.
Coho and pink salmon light rod: 7–8.5 foot, medium to medium-heavy, fast action spinning rod handles smaller Pacific salmon with sportier fight characteristics and lighter line.

Salmon Fishing Reels

For river salmon fishing, a 4000–6000 size spinning reel with a strong, smooth drag is the standard. Salmon make powerful, sustained runs — the drag must handle sudden bursts of speed without locking up or losing tension. For Great Lakes trolling, line counter conventional reels are essential for accurately reproducing lure depth and position once a productive troll is established.

Salmon Fishing Lures & Bait

Salmon lure selection depends heavily on whether you’re fishing in the ocean, trolling on a lake, or targeting river fish during spawning runs. Ocean and lake salmon are actively feeding and will strike a wide variety of attractors. River salmon in spawning mode are not feeding but will strike out of aggression or instinct — requiring different presentations.

Best Salmon Fishing Lures

Trolling spoons (Sutton, Mepps Syclops, Acme Kastmaster): The workhorses of Great Lakes and coastal salmon trolling. Run behind downriggers or divers at the target depth, typically 20–80 feet. Flashers ahead of the spoon add vibration and attraction. Glow and UV patterns are particularly effective in low-light depths.
Hoochies (squid imitations): Soft plastic squid-shaped lures trolled behind a flasher. Standard for chinook and coho on the West Coast and Great Lakes. The pulsing action of the hoochie paired with flasher vibration is highly effective. Chartreuse, green, and glow patterns dominate.
Spinners (Blue Fox Vibrax, Mepps Aglia): The most effective casting lure for river salmon and coho in smaller rivers. Size 4–6 spinners in gold, orange, and chartreuse produce strikes from both fresh-run and staged fish.
Kwikfish and plug-cut herring: Side-to-side wobbling plugs run behind a boat at slow speeds (back-trolling) or anchored in current. Extremely effective for chinook and coho in rivers. Plug-cut herring rigged on a spinner rig is the classic river salmon bait on the Pacific Coast.
Egg patterns and roe: Single eggs, egg clusters (skein), and yarn egg imitations are the premier river salmon bait during spawning runs. Drift a cured egg cluster under a float or on a sliding sinker rig at the fish’s depth. Effective for all Pacific salmon species in rivers.
Kokanee lures: Small spoons (Dick Nite, Wedding Ring), mini hoochies, and corn-tipped jigs at downrigger-controlled depths of 30–60 feet. Scent (Pro-Cure) on the trailer hook significantly improves kokanee hookup rates.

Salmon Fishing Line

Line choice for salmon fishing is method-specific. For river fishing and casting, 15–20 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon provides sufficient strength with some stretch to absorb the shock of powerful runs. For trolling, 30–50 lb monofilament is the standard main line on conventional trolling setups, with lighter fluorocarbon leaders ahead of lures. Braided line with a fluorocarbon leader is growing in popularity for river salmon fishing — the zero stretch of braid improves hookset power on long drifts and improves bite detection in fast current.

Trolling for Salmon & Lake Trout: Downrigger Essentials

Trolling with downriggers is the most productive method for chinook salmon, coho, lake trout, and kokanee when fish are holding at depth in lakes and coastal waters. A downrigger uses a heavy weight (typically 8–15 lb) lowered on a cable to carry your lure to a precise depth while you troll at boat speed. When a fish strikes, the line releases from the downrigger clip and you fight the fish on a free line — giving full rod action and the complete run of the reel.

Downrigger Trolling Setup Tips

Set lures 25–75 feet behind the downrigger weight — longer setbacks are typically more productive in clear water where boat noise spooks fish.
Use a fish finder to locate the thermocline and fish depth before setting downrigger depth. Target the depth where fish marks appear on the sonar.
Troll at 1.5–3.5 mph depending on the lure. Hoochies and cut herring run well at slower speeds; spoons may require slightly faster speeds to achieve proper action.
Vary depth and setback until you find the productive combination — fish move vertically throughout the day as light conditions and temperature change.
Use rod holders to keep trolling rods positioned at the correct angle while monitoring multiple lines. Bent-butt rods in flush-mount holders are the standard configuration for downrigger trolling.

West Marine offers a complete selection of downriggers and outrigger rigging kits for salmon and lake trout trolling setups of every size.

Terminal Tackle & Accessories for Trout and Salmon

A complete terminal tackle kit keeps you rigged and fishing through changing conditions. Key items for trout and salmon include:

Snap swivels and barrel swivels: Prevent line twist on spinners and spoons. Use barrel swivels when trolling to keep lures running straight at speed.
Split shot sinkers and sliding sinkers: For drift fishing in rivers, split shots allow precise depth adjustment. Sliding egg sinkers and slinky rigs reduce snags on rocky bottoms in salmon rivers.
Float/bobbers: Slip floats for river drifting keep bait at the fish’s depth and provide a visual strike indicator. Essential for float-fishing eggs and jigs for salmon in rivers.
Forceps and hook remover: Long-nose forceps are the cleanest way to release trout and salmon without damaging fish gills or excessive handling.
Landing net: A rubber-mesh landing net is essential for safely landing large salmon and trout, especially in current. Rubber mesh protects the fish’s protective slime coating for clean catch-and-release.
Tackle storage: A compact tackle box or soft tackle bag with separate trays for lures, terminal tackle, and line keeps river and lake gear organized on the move.

Shop Trout & Salmon Fishing Gear at West Marine

Whether you’re rigging for opening day on a trout river, preparing for a Great Lakes chinook charter, or setting up a kokanee downrigger spread, West Marine has the gear you need. Browse our complete selection of trout and salmon rods, spinning and conventional reels, lures and bait, fishing line and leaders, downriggers, and terminal tackle — everything from inline spinners to downrigger weights, in one place.