• Log In
  • |
  • Register
0
Your cart is empty
  • Fishing
      • Rods
        • Spinning Rods
        • Casting Rods
        • Trolling Rods
        • Fly & Spey Rods
        • Centerpin & Float Rods
        • Ice Rods
        • Travel & Pack Rods
        • Surf Rods
        • Rod Accessories
      • Reels
        • Spinning Reels
        • Casting Reels
        • Trolling Reels
        • Fly Reels
        • Centerpin & Float Reels
        • Spincasting Reels
        • Inline Reels
        • Reel Accessories
      • Rod & Reel Combos
        • Spinning Combos
        • Casting Combos
        • Trolling Combos
        • Fly Outfits
        • Travel & Pack Combos
        • Ice Combos
        • Spincasting Combos
      • Lures & Bait
        • Hard Baits
        • Soft Baits
        • Jigs
        • Jig Heads
        • Spoons
        • Spinners
        • Spinnerbaits
        • Buzzbaits
        • Chatterbaits & Bladed Jigs
        • Umbrella Rigs
        • Artificial Baits
        • Prepared & Cured Baits
        • Attractants & Cures
        • Worm Harnesses
        • Trolling Rigs & Flies
        • Lure Components
        • Lure & Bait Accessories
      • Line
        • Braided & Super Line
        • Fluorocarbon Line
        • Monofilament Line
        • Copolymer Line
        • Wire, Copper & Lead Core Line
        • Fly Lines, Leaders & Tippet
        • Leaders (non-fly)
        • Line Accessories
      • Terminal Tackle
        • Hooks
        • Weights & Sinkers
        • Floats, Bobbers & Indicators
        • Swivels & Snaps
        • Split Rings & Sleeves
        • Bait Rigs
      • Wading
        • Waders
        • Wading Boots
        • Wading Jackets
        • Fishing Vests
        • Wading Packs
        • Wading Accessories
      • Gear & Tackle Storage
      • Fishing Accessories
        • Fishing Tools
        • Live Bait Storage
        • Landing Gear
        • Creels, Baskets & Stringers
        • Fish Cleaning & Processing
        • Books & Videos
        • Coolers & Drink Storage
        • Gift Items
  • Boating & Kayaking
      • Kayaks
      • Paddles
      • Storage & Transport
      • Trolling
        • Downriggers
        • Planer Boards
        • Drift Socks & Trolling Bags
        • Divers
        • Flashers & Dodgers
      • Marine Electronics
      • Rod Holders & Track Systems
      • Trolling Motors
      • Life Vests & PFDs
      • Boat Accessories
      • Kayak Accessories
  • Apparel & Eyewear
      • FishUSA Apparel
      • KBF & KSS Apparel
      • Jackets & Coats
      • Hoodies & Sweatshirts
      • Shirts & Tops
      • Pants & Shorts
      • Suits & Bibs
      • Footwear
      • Socks
      • Hats & Headwear
      • Gloves & Sun Sleeves
      • Eyewear
  • Specialty Stores
      • Kayak Fishing
        • Kayaks
        • Paddles
        • Life Vests & PFDs
        • Storage & Transport
        • Kayak Motors
        • Accessories
        • KBF Bonus Bucks
      • Bass
        • Bass Rods
        • Bass Reels
        • Bass Rod & Reel Combos
        • Bass Lures & Bait
        • Bass Line
        • Bass Hooks & Terminal Tackle
        • Bass Life Vests & Accessories
        • Bass Gear Storage
        • Bass Boat Electronics & Accessories
        • Bass Accessories
      • Walleye
        • Walleye Rods
        • Walleye Reels
        • Walleye Rod & Reel Combos
        • Walleye Line
        • Walleye Lures & Bait
        • Walleye Hooks & Terminal Tackle
        • Walleye Planer Boards & Accessories
        • Walleye Divers & Accessories
        • Walleye Rod Holders, Track Systems & Accessories
        • Walleye Drift Socks, Trolling Bags & Accessories
        • Walleye Downriggers & Accessories
        • Walleye Landing Gear
        • Walleye Gear Storage
        • Walleye Life Vests & Accessories
        • Walleye Boat Electronics & Accessories
        • Walleye Boat Accessories
        • Walleye Accessories
      • Salmon & Steelhead
        • Rods
        • Reels
        • Rod & Reel Combos
        • Lures & Bait
        • Attractors
        • Line
        • Floats & Bobbers
        • Hooks & Terminal Tackle
        • Waders
        • Wading Boots
        • Wading Jackets & Vests
        • Wading Packs
        • Wading Accessories
        • Landing Gear
        • Boat Gear & Accessories
        • Accessories
      • Panfish
        • Panfish Rods
        • Panfish Reels
        • Panfish Rod & Reel Combos
        • Panfish Lures & Bait
        • Panfish Line
        • Panfish Floats & Bobbers
        • Panfish Hooks & Terminal Tackle
        • Panfish Gear Storage
        • Panfish Landing Gear
        • Panfish Boat Gear
        • Panfish Accessories
      • Trout
        • Trout Rods
        • Trout Reels
        • Trout Spinning Combos
        • Trout Lures & Bait
        • Trout Line
        • Trout Hooks & Terminal Tackle
        • Trout Waders
        • Trout Wading Boots
        • Trout Wading Jackets & Vests
        • Trout Wading Packs
        • Trout Wading Accessories
        • Trout Landing Gear
        • Trout Accessories
      • Fly Fishing
        • Fly & Spey Rods
        • Fly Reels
        • Fly Rod & Reel Accessories
        • Fly Rod & Reel Outfits
        • Fly Lines, Leaders & Tippet
        • Flies
        • Waders
        • Wading Boots
        • Wading Jackets & Vests
        • Packs
        • Wading Accessories
        • Fly Tying Materials
        • Fly Tying Vises
        • Fly Tying Hooks
        • Fly Tying Kits
        • Fly Tying Tools
        • Tools
        • Floats & Indicators
        • Terminal Tackle
        • Fly Boxes
        • Gear Storage
        • Landing Gear
        • Accessories
      • Ice Fishing
        • Augers & Accessories
        • Electronics & Accessories
        • Shelters & Accessories
        • Rods
        • Reels
        • Rod & Reel Accessories
        • Rod & Reel Combos
        • Line & Accessories
        • Lures & Bait
        • Tip-Ups & Accessories
        • Hooks & Terminal Tackle
        • Bait Rigs
        • Outerwear
        • Boots & Cleats
        • Tools
        • Gear Storage
        • Live Bait Storage & Accessories
        • Fish Processing
        • Accessories
  • CLEARANCE
      • Clearance Apparel
      • Clearance Boating & Trolling
      • Clearance Fishing Accessories
      • Clearance Ice Fishing
      • Clearance Kayak Fishing
      • Clearance Line
      • Clearance Lures & Bait
      • Clearance Reels
      • Clearance Rod & Reel Combos
      • Clearance Rods
      • Clearance Terminal Tackle
      • Clearance Wading
  • Brands
  • New
  • Fly Fishing
  • Home
  • Specialty Stores
  • Salmon & Steelhead
Back

Specialty Stores

  • Kayak Fishing
  • Bass
  • Walleye
  • Panfish
  • Trout
  • Fly Fishing
  • Ice Fishing

Steelhead & Salmon Fishing Gear

Rods
Reels
Rod & Reel Combos
Lures & Bait
Attractors
Line
Floats & Bobbers
Hooks & Terminal Tackle
Waders
Wading Boots
Wading Jackets & Vests
Wading Packs
Wading Accessories
Landing Gear
Boat Gear & Accessories
Accessories
Back to Top

At a Glance: Salmon and Steelhead


Many anglers will put their skills to the test and pursue a trophy Salmon or Steelhead. Salmon and Steelhead are cousins in the fish world. While Steelhead are technically the same species as the common Rainbow Trout, they act more similarly to Pacific Salmon species in their behavior and migration. Salmon inhabit the north Atlantic and Pacific Ocean but have been introduced to non-native waters, such as the Great Lakes. Steelhead are native to, and inhabit, both ocean and freshwater environments in the Pacific Northwest, as well as being stocked into non-native freshwater environments, such as the Great Lakes.


Naturally, both Salmon and Steelhead are anadromous, meaning they are born in freshwater rivers and streams, then migrate to the ocean for their adult lives, only returning to the same freshwater streams and rivers for spawning. One of the major differences between Salmon and Steelhead is that Steelhead can spawn multiple times in their lives, while Pacific Salmon species die after spawning. Salmon are also considered a keystone species, which means they are essential to the ecosystem around them, from the plants to the animals, they all rely on Salmon for food and nutrients.


When it comes to fishing, Steelhead take some skills and varying techniques. Steelhead are easy to stir up and they have some excellent vision. They can be quick as well! One glimpse of a human and they can reach twenty-five miles an hour with a single burst of their tail! Steelhead are famed for being unpredictable. One day you can see them striking over and over for salmon egg soft or baits, and the next it’s minnows drawing all their attention. Some days fly fishermen will pull them in like it’s nothing, while the next day the casting and spincasting anglers will keep them striking. With Steelhead, no one lure or bait and technique will work every time. They challenge anglers to adapt on the fly and use a broad range of strategies. When fishing for them it is highly recommended to bring an abundant supply of different lures and bait.


Salmon, on the other hand, are known for their amazing sense of smell. They prefer low light water conditions, so coming prepared with some bright, shiny lures is encouraged. Salmon, like Steelhead, are a tricky species to hook. Anglers use all sorts of techniques, from fly fishing to baitcasting, with live bait or shiny spinners and on. Salmon have thick, tough skin around their jaws, making hooking them a bit tricky, so make sure you bring sharp hooks! When they are hooked, let them tire themselves out because they will put up a hard fight and you run the risk of breaking your line.


Both Salmon and Steelhead can be fished from rivers, streams, lakes, or the ocean, giving anglers of all kinds an exciting fight. Salmon and Steelhead are known to be strong fighters, so bringing a reel with a good drag is key. You can’t “muscle” in a Salmon or a Steelhead. They have been known to snap lines with their excited and energetic bursts. The best tactic is to let the drag work for you, let the fish get tired. Due to their size, both Salmon and Steelhead should be fished with medium to medium-heavy fishing rods when trolling or casting from shore. However, make sure your rods are sensitive as both of these fish are known for being heavy fighters, but they strike lightly and let go quickly, so you need to be faster than they are. Because of this, many anglers choose light to medium power rods in tributaries.


Salmon and Steelhead are an exciting, but challenging group of fish to pursue. When you do take up the challenge, make sure you come prepared. FishUSA offers a number of the needed gear, from baits and lures to fishing rods and reels, to waders and accessories. Make sure you show up ready because these fish won’t give you any slack!


FishUSA offers the top brands for Salmon and Steelhead fishing such as Shimano, Rapala, Eagle Claw, Berkley, St. Croix, and many more!





  • CUSTOMER SERVICE
  • Contact Us
  • Shipping Rates & Times
  • International Orders
  • Payment Methods
  • Order By Mail
  • Accessibility
  • RESOURCES
  • Return Policy
  • Price Guarantee
  • Sales & Security Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Gift Cards
  • TackleText Opt-In
  • FISHUSA
  • About Us
  • News
  • Pro Staff
  • Visit the Pro Shop
  • Content Sites
  • Careers
Enter Your Email
Be the first to hear about new products & exclusive offers.
  • FOLLOW US