The right gear for every Kenai salmon
Alaska’s rivers are big and fast, and so are the fish. The rod you fish at home usually isn’t the right one when a salmon turns into the Kenai’s current. Book a rod & reel, tell us what you’re fishing for, and we’ll hand you the setup our guides use for it.
Kings, sockeye, silvers or pinks: we’ll set you up with the right rod, reel and net at pickup.
Which setup you’ll get
Sockeye (reds)
Sockeye fishing means hours of “flipping”. We use 8/9 wt, 10-foot fly rods (Shakespeare Ugly Stik, and custom Kenai River Red Rods by Okuma) with an Okuma 8/9 wt fly reel, plenty of backing and 20 lb mono. Light and well balanced for a long day.
Kings
Kenai kings can top 50 pounds. For them we use Lamiglas X11 rods with Okuma Coldwater line-counter reels.
Silvers (cohos)
Silvers hit lures hard. A spinning setup for casting from the bank, or the king-and-silver casting setup if you’re fishing heavier water.
Pinks (humpies)
Pinks run in even-numbered years and will chase almost anything. A lightweight Ugly Stik spinning rod is all you need.
Need a landing net? Ask at pickup. Check ADF&G emergency orders before you fish: king seasons in particular change.
Rod & reel prices
| Rental | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 day | $20 |
| 2 days | $30 |
| 3 days | $40 |
| 4 days | $45 |
| 5 days | $50 |
| 6 days | $55 |
| 7 days | $60 |
| 8 days | $65 |
| 9 days | $70 |
| 10 days | $75 |
| 11+ days | Call us |
Plus 6% sales tax.
How it works
- Book online. Pick your gear and dates. For waders, tell us your size and shoe size.
- Pick up in Soldotna. Gear is ready the evening before your first day, at 33978 Johnsons Dr.
- Return by 5 PM on your last day. Early pickup or late drop-off? Ask and we’ll try.
Pickup in Soldotna
33978 Johnsons Dr, Soldotna, AK 99669
At Kenai Sportfishing and Kenai Riverside Resort, a few minutes from the Kenai River.
Hours: 9 AM to 9 PM, or call or email for an appointment.
Phone: (907) 308-2692
Email: info@akboatrental.com
Rather fish with a guide?
Guided Kenai River and Kasilof River salmon trips are run by our sister company, Kenai Sportfishing, from the same Johnsons Drive location. Kings, sockeye and silvers, with all the gear included.
Kenai River trips Kasilof River trips
Halibut out of Homer: Homer Halibut Hunters.