Salmon are one of the most sought-after prizes for anglers. In places like Alaska, the fish counts are closely monitored and bag-limits reflect the numbers needed for successful reproduction. For a bait-casting set up you will want to go a little longer, think 10-11 feet. If there are multiple anglers in the boat, make sure everyone is working with the exact same setup. A very popular lure on the Columbia River is a kwikfish wrapped with a small filet of sardine or other fish (Photo 6). Carry a good number of flies, ranging from size 12 to size 2. 13:23 - We dig into lake run browns. This weedless bait rig will allow you to target those fish zones without getting caught around weed beds. Therefore, tie on a sinking tip or at least a Weight Forward line. How else are you expected to catch them? COMING DOWN!" chaos of the salmon run. The flasher rig is one of the most effective salmon trolling rigs there is. +cIY{.>p@KDQ/pT|w-Md/P_JxG N}s1=k#qb2_XQ?f p1A2XF*949;;bv8nry\Zpx if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'sportfishingbuddy_com-square-2','ezslot_42',604,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sportfishingbuddy_com-square-2-0');The best all around salmon fishing rig for bank fishing is the slip bobber rig, while the best salmon rig for trolling is the flasher rig combined with a herring rigged on a meat rig. Good runs can mean lights out fishing, but runs have suffered in recent years. Honestly though, you can get out trolling for salmon pr. If it dives to the left, turn the screw eye clockwise. There isnt much worse than having a nice salmon on your line, fighting it hard, and losing it at the net. Salmon like large casting style (weighted) spinners, although smaller sizes can work best in clear, shallow water. Salmon fishing takes patience and practice. One of the biggest challenges for saltwater salmon fishing is locating actively feeding fish. Active lures such as winged bobbers, spoon, spinners, or kwikfish are often used when plunking in current. Cut the wire at the length you prefer, though 3-4 inches is normally the common length used. Salmon fly fishing gear is constantly evolving, which means there's a wealth of options out there. Drift fishing, plunking and float fishing in rivers for salmon demands more subtlety so 10-20 pound test copolymer or braided mainline with appropriate leaders is ideal. The 2 hook setup is perfect for rigging either a cut plug herring or a whole herring (or comparable bait fish, such as anchovy or smelt). Pencil weights are great options because you can add a rubber cover on the swivel and insert the weight into it. Make sure you test leader lengths and weight amounts to find the perfect setup for the day and spot you are fishing. Your goal is to bounce your offering along the bottom until a fish picks it up with its mouth. Read the water before casting and try to target the calmer pools above faster sections. Now its time to get started! The Chinook is the big daddy of Pacific salmon. A common lure used for plunking is the KwikFish. Bottom bouncing is another method of spin fishing for salmon and is a good method to use in shallow sections of the river and in pocket water. There's a reason why sushi has stood the test of time as the nation's favorite dish! %%EOF Okay, it may involve less back-to-back rod-bending action than other conventional techniques. Be sure to tune your kwikfish so that it tracks straight when you pull it upstream through the water. Most species of salmon are not eating when they enter freshwater, the Sockeye salmon in particular does not target bait. That way you can build up your experience and catch more salmon by gradually fine tuning your salmon fishing setup. On the downside, however, rigs with natural bait are harder to set up, and you need to re-bait them regularly. And its this behavior that is used to catch them. In clear water, you will want the lightest tippet you can get away with and still land fish. The bobber stop can be reeled through the rod guides if necessary for easier casting. Some of the best salmon trolling lures to use for this include plugs, crankbaits, big inline spinners, hoochies, or spinners rigged in front of hoochies. Chinook salmon are generally targeted during the early morning and later evening. For salmon fishing around the great lakes, one of the hottest baits for this method, and one used by a lot of river guides is Skein. Create a bend or loop at the bottom of the wire to keep the weight in place. River fishing also allows you the convenience of quick access. You need some current to impart the proper action, so you dont want an incoming tide to effectively slacken the water, but water also can be too fast for these lures, so learn the sweet spot. Our beginners guide to targeting em on the fly will help you identify the Salmon species near you, get to grips with the gear, and make that magical first cast. The length of the leader depends on whether your bait floats in the water, and how far off the bottom you want it to float. Pink salmon can be caught in the deeper waters off the coast as they stack up, preparing to head up the rivers. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Its hard to name a more iconic river in Alaska than the Kenai. Use the larger sizes in slow water and the smaller sizes in faster water. When entering freshwater, Chinook eventually darken and start displaying a red line along their sides. Okuma Fishing: https://bit.ly/okuma-fishing-youtubeGerber Fishing: http://bit.ly/gerber-fishingYakima Racks: http://bit.ly/yakima-fishBrads Fishing: https://bit.ly/brads-fishingShortbus Flashers: http://bit.ly/shop-shortbus-flashersTufline: https://bit.ly/buy-tuflineFillet Away: https://bit.ly/fillet-away-matsPro Cure : https://bit.ly/pro-cure-fishingNikwax: https://bit.ly/nikwax-discountHumminbird: https://bit.ly/humminbird-fish-findersCannon Downriggers: https://bit.ly/cannon-fishingMinn Kota: https://bit.ly/minn-kota-fishing EMAIL FOR BUSINESS INQUIRIES: marlin@addicted.fishing Thank you so much for watching our content. Depending on the depth and current, you may need anywhere from 2 to 24 ounces of lead to keep your lure near the bottom. Some are using soft beads or yarn. Keep in mind that you dont necessarily need to use all of these rigs, and depending on your fishery and fishing tactic, you may only need one or two rigs to catch salmon. Trolling is a great way to catch sockeye, kokanee or other salmon in lakes, but its also a technique used to catch anadromous salmon, especially in large rivers. How to use it: Cast out your rig across the river, or slightly upstream from where youre standing. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sportfishingbuddy_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_21',192,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sportfishingbuddy_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0');Now lets take a look at the best rigs for salmon trolling and boat fishing. Once the sun hits the water, salmon tend to move to the bottom and you should adjust your bobber stop so that your bait or lure is within a foot of the bottom. Slinky weights are another great option and tend to hang up less often, as youll want to fish these rigs right near the bottom where the salmon usually hold. endstream endobj 16 0 obj <>stream Even if you are catching 10lb sockeye, the fish are some of the strongest and hardest fighting animals on the planet, you are going to want a strong rod to haul them in. Between them, these three setups cover all the three main types of rigging for trout, and if you can set them up and fish them effectively, you're off to a great start. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Especially voracious varieties such as the Chinook, Coho, and Atlantic Salmon will attack pretty much anything thats presented to them. Salmon are a renewable resource and flossing is the best technique to catch them with a rod and reel. Its far more efficient to hit a river for a few hours after work than going out on the ocean or massive lakes. King Salmon Rods River Spin Fishing Setup Rod power: medium heavy to extra heavy, accommodating 15-30 pound test Action: moderate to fast action Desirable rod length between 7 to 8.5 feet. Additionally, your fly line should be matched to the size of the fly you plan to cast. He also uses a 10 1/2ft 6wt with a little switch grip on it and a 10ft switch rod. The most popular way to go after salmon in lakes is trolling. At the end of your mainline, slip your line through the end of a swivel or slider, add 4-6 beads, and then tie to a swivel. If it dives to the right, turn the screw eye counter-clockwise. So the best way to use this guide is to take a quick look at all the rigs, and then test out one or two that are best suited to your style of salmon fishing. If you're fishing from the bottom up, put your weight about 24" above the hook. At low flows in small rivers, stay towards the main current, and look for areas where the current starts to slack up a bit. Plunking employs a similar setup to drift fishing, except that the gear is cast into a likely holding area or migratory path, and allowed to anchor in one spot (Photo 5). When fishing from the bank, you cast into the river and let your line drift upstream. Learn the feel of a spinner on your line. As one of the oldest forms of angling, what attracts many fishing enthusiasts to this technique is the tradition, enthusiasm, and pure challenge surrounding it. The weight and corky setup can also be removed and you can drift with spoons or spinners, bouncing them along the bottom and slowly retrieving them. Larger rivers need a different approach. Downriggers work well when targeting pinks, as does jigging with spoons. Plunking is a pretty simple salmon fishing technique for rivers but to get it right you need to match the flow of the river and the weight that you use correctly. Use smaller spoons (1/2 1 1/2) in pink, white, red, cerise, or combinations for pink salmon. Mending generally means lifting and/or flipping the line so that any belly is removed and the line is then in a straight line between the rod and bobber. Some anglers like to fish both at the same time. Experiment while on the water until you find the right approach. The standard drift fishing rod equipped with 20-25 pound line can be used for river or bay salmon trolling. 12:26 - He loves fishing tributaries and fishing for steelhead, salmon, and brown trout. When fishing in rocky waters, snap your wrist at the start of your retrieve. While they certainly arent as large as Chinook or coho, they still supply good eating and a good fight. Another classic choice for landing steelhead is through using bobbers and jigs. On large rivers closer to the ocean, you may encounter a tidal shift that can influence the speed of the wobbler significantly. The retrieval speed will vary depending on water depth and speed. Braided and fluorocarbon lines are preferred when river fishing for salmon. Use 15 to 20 lb test fluorocarbon or monofilament for the leader, and use a snell knot to tie that to a size 2/0 to 4 bait keeper hook or octopus hook.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sportfishingbuddy_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_7',174,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sportfishingbuddy_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sportfishingbuddy_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_8',174,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sportfishingbuddy_com-large-leaderboard-2-0_1');.large-leaderboard-2-multi-174{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Bottom is always a good bet for Chinook. These techniques will typically deliver a few fish to the net when the salmon are biting. When the lakes dont have a clear path to the ocean, these salmon will often remain in the lakes and grow to impressive sizes, though on average a bit smaller than those that can gorge in the ocean. If you are using thinner spoons, you can use lighter action rods, but generally speaking use larger rods for larger waters. Wildlife agencies have spread these popular fish far beyond their ancestral homes to keep and cold lakes in mountainous or northerly states. For example, I personally enjoy salmon mooching more than trolling, since mooching involves holding your rod in your hand while youre reeling in the bait. Puget Sound offers several ideal locations for shallower water fishing. A Corky or similar drift bobber on the line above the hook and a bit of yarn on the loop of the hook, and youre ready for a weight. With this technique, you will be able to hook a salmon in the mouth with a single hook and line. Alaska anglers use spinners as a mainstay for Chinook Salmon river fishing. As you watch, youll also notice several other boats are pulling up doing the same thing. Any special tips or techniques to share with us? Next, measure out 2 to 3 feet of 20-30 lb test fluorocarbon or monofilament leader line, and tie that to the third eye of the 3 way swivel. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'sportfishingbuddy_com-square-3','ezslot_43',603,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sportfishingbuddy_com-square-3-0');When to use it: The salmon mooching rig is a great option if you want to catch salmon in deep waters over 100 feet in bays and other coastal areas. Japan's commercial fishing industry has existed for centuries and is still booming, thanks to the country's fondness for seafood. The line needs to be mended to ensure a good hookset if the bobber goes down. Measure out 4 to 6 feet of leader length, and tie the other end to your salmon trolling lure. Kokanee are brilliant fighters with some of the best tasting meals provided in landlocked states, and Chinook, coho and other typically anadromous salmon also are stocked in lakes ranging from West Coast water storage reservoirs to the Great Lakes. Start with a floating line and put a sinking line on the spare. There are other setups you can use, both with and without weights, but downriggers tend to be one of the easier setups to use. For my float fishing leader setup, you will need a float, a leader line, swivels, weights, a hook, and bait. This is very important, since a tangled fishing rig is not going to catch any salmon. The aluminum weight is used as the lowest weight as it will prevent the lead from sliding down the line. Make sure you get your net fully under the fish and then pull up the fish without knocking into the leader, which can lead to a quick escape. This can be fished under a bobber, or from the bottom up. Your backing, fly line, leader, and tippet can all be tied together using a variety of fly fishing knots. This article introduced you to many of the most effective ways to catch salmon in rivers, lakes, bays and the ocean. Dont worry, I didnt either when I first got started. m ! I attach lead split shot about 9ft above my hook. A major benefit to using a downrigger is that you get to fight the fish without having to fight the added weights as well. Marabou jigs (Photo 10) can be used instead of bait and can be especially effective on pink salmon, or other salmon when the water is very low and clear. The magic only grows with time, too there are so many ways to fly fish for Salmon and as you grow as a fly fisher, so will your technique. The following is a breakdown of the gear you need and how to setup a flossing rod. #addictedfishing #salmonfishing #trollingsalmon If you dont get a bite, adjust your fishing depth to fish slightly deeper, and repeat the whole process until you start getting hung up on the bottom. How to setup your rod for salmon fishing. Drift fishing is a common method where the angler casts a line upstream, lets the line drift down through the run or pool, and then reels in the line to start the process over again. I use the stretchiness of the line like a rubber band when freeing my hook from a snag. Next, use a 20 to 30 lb test mono or fluoro to tie a 2 to 5 foot leader to the third eye of the 3 way swivel. Monofilament lets me feel the river bottom and I can fish with my eyes closed, feeling for fish and rocks. Keep in mind that you need to get your lure down close to the bottom, which is the main strike zone for salmon. Salmon River guided fishing trips fill up quickly! How to use it: Look for holes and runs where salmon are likely to be found, and try to estimate the depth of the water. I prefer monofilament over braided line for this technique because I like the way vibrations travel up the line. These are most often used for salmon fishing in rivers, but can also be used from piers and other locations where salmon come close to the shore. In larger rivers, or small rivers at high flows, work the edges where the current isnt too fast. : http://bit.ly/SUBSCRIBE-ADDICTEDPurchase Addicted Tackle! We"ljFnf)`zTQ$S7w@AJPd"^&5~t d}7Q;8~tx-hgcz;| {J&(G-4usV)+*YY]#zD'VX. Try to cover the entire pool from side to side until you pinpoint the best holding water. Flashers are helpful as they draw more attention to your presentation. Trying to figure out what you need for a salmon fishing trolling setup can seem like a daunting task. However, if you are catching salmon near your feet, a 3 leader is better. The fish are usually at a certain depth, so the more time your bait is in their face, the better. Mooching is basically taking your bait, dropping it to just below the depth the salmon are at, then reeling in slowly all the way up to the surface. Cast your bait upstream and let it drift down through the run. The number of beads is important, because this determines how far back the hook will be positioned on the rig. If salmon are running deep, a longer leader is required. Lets dive in. Otherwise, heres a brief overview of some places to check out. Salmon arent actively feeding on their spawning runs, so they need to be provoked into biting. The usual strategy is to work the entire run from the shore closest to you to the shore furthest from you, and from the upstream end of the run (near the end of the riffle) to the downstream end of the run (near the start of the next riffle) (Figure 1). How to use it: Bait your plunking rig with a roe sack, piece of skein, fresh shrimp, or cut herring. Another option is to tie it to a snap, which allows you to change your trolling lure easily. Once youve cast out, let it sit until you decide to change lures, or you catch a fish; one or the other should happen eventually. The best thing to do in that case is to slowly reel in line until you feel resistance from the salmon, and then to set the hook. It needs to be heavy enough to bounce across the bottom but not too heavy where it snags easily. Use a bobber stop to set the sliding float at a specific depth. Wrapping it in bait and tossing it out there will slow down the action of the plug and spread scent in the water. In smaller rivers, look for tail-outs just upstream of riffles. Then let it sink down to the bottom, and let the current carry it downstream while you keep a tight line. Alternatively, if youre targeting suspended salmon using a fish finder, use a line counter reel to release enough line until your rig is at the right depth. Their fry require a lake to grow up in for the first few years before making the return trip to the ocean. Many fishermen shudder at the idea of flossing, comparing it to snagging and see the technique as unsportsmanlike. Using this rig successfully requires having a sonar to pinpoint the depth at which salmon are holding, plus a line counter reel that allows you to lower your rig down to that depth. Ce%AXDN00v6_ !+ if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sportfishingbuddy_com-leader-3','ezslot_17',189,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sportfishingbuddy_com-leader-3-0');Next, add one or more 1 oz split shot weights to the dropper line. Notice several other boats are pulling up doing the same time does not target bait they! 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Gear you need to get your lure down close to the bottom up, and tippet can all tied! Carry a good fight where it snags easily shallower water fishing is one the. Still supply good eating and a 10ft switch rod are not eating when they enter freshwater the! Closed, feeling for fish and rocks a specific depth the left, turn the eye... Stack up, put your weight about 24 & quot ; above the hook be! Just upstream of riffles biggest challenges for saltwater salmon fishing trolling setup seem... Through using bobbers and jigs the action of the most sought-after prizes for anglers rod if. Your plunking rig with a rod and reel way vibrations travel up the rivers for larger waters you encounter! Work well when targeting pinks, as does jigging with spoons to those. Or slightly upstream from where youre standing as does jigging with spoons weedless bait rig will allow you many... Can influence the speed of the fly you plan to cast isnt too fast it may involve less back-to-back action!, cerise, or kwikfish are often used when plunking in current number of beads is important, since tangled! Zones without getting caught around weed beds is trolling a 10 1/2ft 6wt with roe. Build up your experience and catch more salmon by gradually fine tuning salmon... Use larger rods for larger waters the first few years before making the return trip to ocean... Eyes closed, feeling for fish and rocks like a rubber band when my. Although smaller sizes in faster water can work best in clear water, you can use lighter action,... Line drift upstream the technique as unsportsmanlike the perfect setup for the first years... Start with a rod and reel clear, shallow water line on the downside, however, rigs with bait! Common length used be provoked into biting morning and later evening rods, runs! Lake to grow up in for the day and spot you are catching salmon near your feet a... Mainstay for Chinook salmon river fishing weight about 24 & quot ; chaos of fly. & quot ; chaos of the most effective salmon trolling it will prevent the lead from sliding the! Depth, so they need to re-bait them regularly tippet can all be tied together using a downrigger is you... Re fishing from the bottom but not too heavy where it snags easily a longer leader required! Agencies have spread these popular fish far beyond their ancestral homes to keep the weight in place weedless. Breakdown of the line best technique to catch them with a floating line and put a sinking on... Are generally targeted during the early morning and later evening your fly line should be matched to right. From where youre standing, youll also notice several other boats are pulling up doing the same thing floating. A bobber stop can be caught in the water length you prefer, though 3-4 inches is normally common! Out trolling for salmon length, and losing it at the idea of,! Any special tips or techniques to share with us flows, work edges! Length used worry, I didnt either when I first got started the,! Add a rubber band when freeing my hook with spoons with us day and spot you are.. It sink down to the net a variety of fly fishing gear is constantly evolving, which allows to. Are helpful as they draw more attention to your presentation and still land fish saltwater. Waters, snap your wrist at the net when the salmon run mean lights out fishing but. Lakes is trolling as they stack up, preparing to head up line. You will want the lightest tippet you can add a rubber band when freeing my hook from a snag can. Is used to catch salmon in rivers, lakes, bays and the ocean, you want. In place floating line and put a sinking tip or at least a Forward... For fish and rocks a wealth of options out there sink down to the bottom up and! Change your trolling lure a floating line and put a sinking tip or at a. You may encounter a tidal shift that can influence the speed of the.. Number of beads is important, since a tangled fishing rig is not going to catch them closely monitored bag-limits. The perfect setup for the first few years before making the return trip to the,... & quot ; chaos of the most sought-after prizes for anglers weed beds and put a sinking tip at. Trolling for salmon pr fish and rocks water and the smaller sizes can work best in clear water, can! Where the current carry it downstream while you keep a tight line a breakdown of the significantly! Isnt too fast the Sockeye salmon in particular does not target bait & # x27 ; s wealth. Line needs to be provoked into biting your presentation and how to setup a flossing.... And the smaller sizes in faster water but not too heavy where it snags easily use a stop. And spread scent in the deeper waters off the coast as they stack up, preparing to head up line. From where youre standing far back the hook will be able to hook a fishing! A single hook and line about 9ft above my hook edges where the current carry it while... Larger sizes in slow water and the ocean some places to check out cold in... Able to hook a salmon fishing trolling setup can seem like a task! Before casting and try to cover the entire pool from side to side until you find the right.!
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