Plunking!

[Scheindogg]

So ive been hearing from lots of people that plunking is a very good way to target salmon/steelhead.
But from what I gather, plunking takes several ounces of lead.
My Daiwa spinning combo is rated from 3/8 oz to 1oz.
That definitely would not suffice for plunking.
I've never used a bait caster but I'm open to it.
Are there any particular spinning rods I could get that are rated for lure weight that heavy? The only rods I see that are rated for that heavy of lure weight are casting rods.
So are there spinning rods that can go that heavy or do I need to suck it up and learn bait casting?
Thanks!

Plunking is what most ppl do right below the barrier dam on the cowlitz right?

[Onmygame]

Plunking is generally done in lower sections of rivers that are affected by tide. Depending on flow, most often a 1 oz - 3 oz pyramid sinker will place you on the bottom. Typical float lures like Spin N Glows and various corkie / okie drifters are mostly used along with bait such as roe / shrimp. It is 'still fishing' plain and simple.

The rod you described is a bit light for this application. Any Medium - Medium / Heavy rod in the 8' - 8' 6" would be ideal, and can be found in both spinning and casting by a myriad of manufacturers. If you go spinning, match it with a good reel in the 4000 size.

Spinning vs baitcasting is a personal preference - with each system having their own merits. I prefer baitcasting myself when targeting bigger fish, as the line does not twist as it does on a spinning reel, and comes directly off the spool to the guides on the rod without making that 90 degree stressed turn at the bail like on a spinning reel. There IS a learning curve, and one can plan on frustrating 'rats nests' at the onset until you become proficient. In the end it is well worth the time and stress you go through to get good with a baitcast reel.

At Barrier Dam - you will see guys at the 400' marker pitching bobber / eggs into the pool with 10' - 12' rods when the salmon are running, and most along the bank below are drift fishing or pitching bobber / egg or jig set ups with more conventional rigs.

When river fishing - take lots of gear. Losing gear when plunking or drifting is part of the trip!

onmygame

[Scheindogg]

Oh ok so the guys right below the barrier dam generally aren't plunking. Got it!
And I knew about the drift fishing part because that's what me and father in law did last time we were there.!
Ok so then med/med heavy should work but I look up all of those and most all don't say they are rated for more than 1oz of weight.
Should this just be disregarded as long as it's a good rod from a good brand?
The only spinning rod I can find rated for higher than 1.5 oz is an "extra heavy" rod which ok pretty sure is a bit overkill hahah

[Bodofish]

Oh ok so the guys right below the barrier dam generally aren't plunking. Got it!
And I knew about the drift fishing part because that's what me and father in law did last time we were there.!
Ok so then med/med heavy should work but I look up all of those and most all don't say they are rated for more than 1oz of weight.
Should this just be disregarded as long as it's a good rod from a good brand?
The only spinning rod I can find rated for higher than 1.5 oz is an "extra heavy" rod which ok pretty sure is a bit overkill hahah

I wouldn't worry about a heavy rod so much. I plunked with a medium light rod for years. If you're careful when you "Gently Lob" it out there , you should be fine. Just get it swinging and you'll be surprised how far it will go if you want. The weights on the rod are for casting so if you put a 1oz lure on your rod rated for a 1/2oz and you whip the crap out of it to make your cast, yeah, you'll break it. The lure weight doesn't have anything to do with fighting strength. Think about it, don't you usually catch fish over 3/4 of an ounce? Be careful, you'll be fine. No need to buy a bunch of stuff to hit the Cow. If you decide you like it, sure, go gear up to your hearts content.

[Scheindogg]

Oh ok so the guys right below the barrier dam generally aren't plunking. Got it!
And I knew about the drift fishing part because that's what me and father in law did last time we were there.!
Ok so then med/med heavy should work but I look up all of those and most all don't say they are rated for more than 1oz of weight.
Should this just be disregarded as long as it's a good rod from a good brand?
The only spinning rod I can find rated for higher than 1.5 oz is an "extra heavy" rod which ok pretty sure is a bit overkill hahah

I wouldn't worry about a heavy rod so much. I plunked with a medium light rod for years. If you're careful when you "Gently Lob" it out there , you should be fine. Just get it swinging and you'll be surprised how far it will go if you want. The weights on the rod are for casting so if you put a 1oz lure on your rod rated for a 1/2oz and you whip the crap out of it to make your cast, yeah, you'll break it. The lure weight doesn't have anything to do with fighting strength. Think about it, don't you usually catch fish over 3/4 of an ounce? Be careful, you'll be fine. No need to buy a bunch of stuff to hit the Cow. If you decide you like it, sure, go gear up to your hearts content.

My point was not at all related to the fish I'd be catching in relation to the lure weight. Obviously I know you can catch a 10lb er on 4lb test on a ultralight rod of the drag is set right, etc.
What I was asking is when you're plunking you're using 3+oz of weight. Doesn't that count towards the lure weight being more than the 3/8 to 1oz my Daiwa spinning combo is rated for?
Or are you saying if I gently lob that amount of weight, it will work?

[BentRod]

Yes, it'll work. Just don't try to whip it out there. That would over stress the rod. Lobbing should work.

[Bodofish]

Yep, exactly!! if you try and cast any plunking setup the way you would a little lure, you'll break any rod, I don't care how heavy it is. I like to get the rig swinging slowly in a circle so nothing is tangled and give it a one, two, three, OOOOPF! and put out right in the cruising lane.
For plunking the suggested lure weight is meaningless.

[BentRod]

And to be more specific, use a side arm/underhand type swing. Don't try to arc it from behind your back over your head.
FWIW.

[Bodofish]

[Scheindogg]

Wow thanks so much guys that is such incredibly helpful info!!
I was literally worried I was gonna have to go spend a few hundred dollars on a new setup just because my rod wasn't strong enough haha.
To be clear I will eventually maybe soon upgrade from my d-shock spinning combo from Daiwa but now I know the next rod I get doesn't need to be rated for super heavy lures lol

[Bodofish]

I used an 8' 6" Daiwa medium light casting rod and an Abu 5000 to catch about everything under the sun. Trout to a 60# halibut off the Valdez city dock. If anyone ever tells you have to spend a bunch of dough just because you want to go catch some fish, question the source.... It served me well for everything for around 16 years. And I still have it and the reel.

[Onmygame]

Wow thanks so much guys that is such incredibly helpful info!!
I was literally worried I was gonna have to go spend a few hundred dollars on a new setup just because my rod wasn't strong enough haha.
To be clear I will eventually maybe soon upgrade from my d-shock spinning combo from Daiwa but now I know the next rod I get doesn't need to be rated for super heavy lures lol

Just remember that it isn't the lure that poses the challenge so much as the fish.

Cowlitz salmon can easily top 20 lbs and 15 lb steelhead aren't uncommon.

To land a big fish on light gear you would need lots of line, and a long stretch of river to work up and down. That is a bit of a problem on the Cowlitz in most cases - and ditto most plunking situations where your access is a small cut out on a high bank.

You don't need to spend big money on a rod and reel - this time of the year sales are running aplenty, and if you're feeling adventurous, there seems to be a yard sale every other block.

The best of luck.

onmygame

[Scheindogg]

Hey guys so I'm planning on going up to the Skagit next Saturday (16th) to try for some socks!!
I only have certain gear so I was wondering if you guys could help me figure out a rig I could work out with the tackle I have or if I need to get some new stuff .
I told you all about my Daiwa med weight d-Schock spinning combo. But my question is more about the terminal end.
I want to get sockeye but I don't have any pyramid or cannonball style weights and I also don't have spin n glos.
I do on the other hand have plenty of large and small egg sinkers as well as large and small split shot.
When it comes to the weights would it be possible to plunk but instead of a pyramid weight on the drop line, just use a few egg sinkers with a bead to keep them from going up the line? Or do I need to just get a pyramid weight?
Also for the leader I have 8# mono and 17#floro. These would both work from what I gather, but for the lure I don't have spin n glos. I realize these are fairly cheap but I'm just trying to see if what I have could work.
I have pink squid skirts I could hook on instead of spin n glos so it could be kind of like still fishing a Hoochie?
I also have cookies I used for drift fishing, could I use that where the spin n glo would go?

Is there any chance instead of plunking altogether, just drift fishing for them would work? With a Hoochie or cookie like I would for chinook/steelhead on the cowlitz?

Thanks guys

[riverhunter]

Drifting will not work for these skagit river sockeye. Plus the 16th of Saturday the river will already be closed. Not very many catching anyways. If you have access to a boat I would consider baker lake instead

[Scheindogg]

Hey guys so if I want to plunk the cowlitz, any good spots you know of? Next to the barrier dam at the 500' marker is too fast current I assume? What about right below the trout hatchery? Somewhere near either of those places? Thanks