STRIKEZONE,

I've never caught a sockeye that had teeth large or sharp enough to cut a 30lb. leader. (including hudreds of large AK reds) They are plankton feeders, and have soft mouths. I'm not disputing your experience, just relating mine. As far as the fight, in my experience, when the surface water on the lake is in the 70 degree range, the fish do just roll over once they near the surface. The initial fight down in the colder water (I usually fish the 70ft. depth) is usually pretty good. I use 12# mainline, light action steelhead rod, small 00 chrome dodger, and 8 to 10" of 25# leader to a 1/0 red hook. The heavier leader is more to impart a good motion on the hook than to withstand the teeth.