What Size Swivel Should You Use For Salmon Fishing? A Complete Guide

As an avid salmon angler, I’m often asked what size swivel I recommend for targeting these hard-fighting fish. The swivel is a small but important piece of terminal tackle, so using the right size and type is key to success. After years of salmon fishing across North America, I’ve put together this guide on selecting swivels for salmon

Why Use a Swivel for Salmon?

Before getting into sizes, it’s worth reviewing the benefits of swivels for salmon fishing:

• Prevent Line Twist – Swivels allow lures, baits, and rigs to move freely without twisting up your main line This helps ensure proper action and presentation.

• Connect Lines – Swivels allow you to connect leaders to main line when using multiple line types. They also let you attach weights while keeping baits separate.

• Change Lures – Snap swivels allow quick and easy lure changes without re-tying knots. Helpful when the bite is tough.

• Reduce Strain – Swivels serve as a stress point to help prevent line breakage when fighting powerful fish.

• Keep Baits Moving Naturally – Allows live baits like herring to swim unimpeded for a natural presentation.

So swivels clearly serve important functions, but what size should you use?

Swivel Size Recommendations

Here are my recommendations for swivel sizes based on salmon species:

Pink Salmon

Size: #10-12

Good Lightweight Options: Daiichi, Owner, Gamakatsu

Pink salmon average 3-5 pounds, so you can use a smaller swivel size in the #10-12 range. I prefer branded swivels from reputable companies like Owner, Gamakatsu, and Daiichi for pinks. Go with a ball-bearing swivel for maximum strength and smooth rotation.

Sockeye Salmon

Size: #7-10

Good Options: Spro, Gammakatsu, Owner

Sockeye range from 4-10 pounds on average, so a medium size swivel in the #7-10 range works well. I like the Spro Hyper Steel and Gamakatsu Amnesia swivels. The #7 or #8 provides a good balance of strength without inhibiting lure action.

Coho Salmon

Size: #5-7

Good Options: Spro, Rosco, Crane

Feisty coho can reach 10-20+ pounds, calling for a more robust swivel in the #5-7 size. The Spro Titanium is a super strong ball bearing swivel perfect for coho. The Rosco Rolling Swivel and Crane Hi-Vis are also excellent for handling their speed and power.

Chinook Salmon

Size: #3-5/0

Good Options: Rosco, Sampo, Owner

When targeting king salmon in the 20-50+ pound range you need a sturdy swivel designed for offshore gamefish. I recommend the Rosco Offshore in #3-5/0 which is excellent for tying rigs and attaching diving weights. The Sampo and Owner heavy duty ball bearing swivels are also built for kings.

Atlantic Salmon

Size: #5-7

Good Options: Rosco, Boone, Excalibur

Feisty Atlantic salmon call for a robust swivel size around #5-7. The Rosco Offshore is a great choice, along with the Excalibur Cross-Lock and Boone Pro Wire swivels which have superior strength and corrosion resistance. Using a ball bearing swivel helps when retrieving big flies against heavy currents.

Other Swivel Selection Tips

• Match the swivel strength to your mainline test. A 50lb swivel for 8lb test is overkill.

• Consider water conditions. Use smaller black swivels in clear water. Larger ones for dirty water or night fishing.

• Ball bearing swivels provide maximum smoothness and strength for serious angling.

• Snap swivels make lure changes easy but can reduce action. Use sparingly.

• Always check for defects like broken springs. Shake to listen for smooth bearing rotation.

• Stick to reputable brands like Rosco, Owner, Spro, Gamakatsu for quality assurance.

Putting It All Together

Here’s a quick cheat sheet for selecting the right salmon swivel size:

• Pink Salmon – #10-12

• Sockeye Salmon – #7-10

• Coho Salmon – #5-7

• Chinook Salmon – #3-5/0

• Atlantic Salmon – #5-7

Match the swivel strength to the species you’re targeting and size of your terminal tackle. Choose recognized brands and consider ball bearing swivels for ultimate performance. With the right swivel you’ll maximize your time on the water and prevent losing the fish of a lifetime. Follow this guide and your next big salmon will make it to the boat!

Now that you know how to pick the proper salmon swivel, let’s look at some real-world examples from experienced anglers targeting these iconic fish across North America.

Pink Salmon – Tiny Swivels for Light Biting Fish

Veteran Alaska angler Jack frequently targets pink salmon in the 5-7 pound range along the coast and in rivers like the Kenai and Russian. For targeting pinks, Jack uses very small #12 barrel swivels from Owner along with light spin tackle spooled with 6-10lb test monofilament.

“The small swivel allows me to attach my leader to the main line and minimize any drag or resistance for the light bite of a pink salmon,” says Jack. “You want your lures and bait to move naturally with as little resistance as possible when targeting these smaller fish.”

The tiny #12 barrel swivel is nearly invisible in the water and allows baits like hooligan, Needlefish lures, and smaller spoons to move freely when drifted along current seams and river edges where pink salmon hold. Jack stresses that the light mono, small swivels, and diminutive hooks and lures are essential for enticing picky pinks in clear water conditions.

Sockeye Salmon – Medium Swivels When Targeting Reds

Ryan has decades of experience chasing sockeye in British Columbia’s Fraser River and around Vancouver Island. His go-to sockeye setup includes medium #8 Spro Hyper Steel ball bearing swivels attached to 10-15lb mono leaders and main lines.

“Sockeye are stronger than pinks and will hit larger plugs and spoons, so I beef things up a bit with the #8 swivel over the #10 I use for pinks,” Ryan explains. “The Spro swivels give just the right amount of strength without limiting action on bouncing floats and flashers.”

The brightly colored #8 ball bearing swivel allows Ryan’s go-to yellow and green spinners and large baitfish patterns to spin and pulse freely in the water. Ryan stresses matching the swivel size to the terminal tackle and hoverfishing technique used to keep lively baits in the strikes zones when targeting feisty reds.

Atlantic Salmon – Large Swivels for Turbulent Rivers

When chasing Atlantic salmon in eastern Canada, Dan relies on stronger #6 Rosco Rolling swivels when drifting massive flies on spey rods. The powerful currents and acrobatic jumps of salmon make an exposed knot a likely breaking point.

“The Rosco #6 swivels give me the best chance of landing a hook-jawed salmon in heavy current,” says Dan. “I need a strong swivel to contain the long runs and dogged headshakes of a big twenty-pound Atlantic.”

The durable Rosco Rolling swivel allows Dan’s heavy streamers and wet flies to drift naturally in the pounding rapids of rivers like the Miramichi and Restigouche. The swivel minimizes line twist from the long sweeping casts required to reach fish holding spots in these big waters. For Dan, the Rosco offers the ideal combination of strength and subtlety for enticing Atlantic salmon in clear, rocky rivers.

King Salmon – Massive Swivels for Giant Chinooks

When trolling for giant king salmon off of Oregon, Captain Tom relies on only the strongest #5/0 Sampo ball bearing swivels attached to his wire downrigger lines. The swivels must withstand the searing runs and bullish headshakes of 40-60 pound chinook taken in heavy offshore currents.

“Anything less than a heavy duty Sampo and you’re asking for trouble when a big angry king salmon slams your herring,” warns Tom. “I’ve seen lesser swivels snap like a twig when a brute kokes takes off on a screeching first run off the downrigger.”

The Sampo allows Tom to attach dodgers, divers, flashers, and flasher-herring combos to his main lines without compromising strength. The swivels also enable easy rigging changes and lure switches when needed. For Tom, compromise is unacceptable when battling leviathan chinooks in the open ocean. Only the biggest and toughest swivels will do.

Key Takeaways

• Match the swivel strength to the size of the fish targeted. Go light for pinks, big for kings.

• Consider water conditions and visibility. Smaller black swivels for clear water.

• Choose smooth ball bearing swivels for optimal rotation and longevity.

• Pick top brands like Rosco, Sampo, and Owner for quality and performance.

• Check swivels carefully for defects before fishing. Replace as needed.

• Use snap swivels sparingly. They can reduce lure action. Stick to barrel and ball bearing swivels.

By matching your salmon swivel size to the species and fishing methods, you’ll get the most out of your terminal tackle. Follow this guide and the next big salmon battle will end in victory!