- Fishing for salmon can be daunting. Knowing which techniques and tackle to use will give you a fighting chance. This page brings you up to speed on how to catch salmon.
- Fishing for salmon can be daunting. Knowing which techniques and tackle to use will give you a fighting chance. This page brings you up to speed on how to catch salmon.
Introduction
- Salmon is one of the most sought-after types of fish: Its succulent flavor and smooth texture make it a near-delicacy for seafood lovers. Naturally, trying to hook one of these tasty fish is nothing close to easy. A quick primer on techniques and tackle will give you a leg-up.
Step 1: Drift Fishing
- Drift fishing is done from a boat whose power is turned off or barely engaged. It is best to use this method where salmon school, or congregate. Mooching, flyfishing, and jigging can be done from a drifting boat.
You will need
A rod
A reel
Bait and Lure
Sinker
Hook
Scent (to scent the lure and cover up your own scent)
Fishfinder, or sonar adjusted to show bait depth
Fish club
Cooler
How-To
Use your fishfinder to find a school of salmon. You can also look for seabirds feeding or bait fish gathering, at the water's surface.
Rig the bait on a hook.
Weight the bait until it reaches a 50- or 60-degree angle.
Dangle the bait.
Lift the rod.
Crank the reel a bit and wait.
Lower the reel again.
Repeat steps 3 through 5 until you feel the salmon strike the bait.
Reel that baby in!
Step 2: Trolling
- Trolling is fishing from a boat that is constantly moving. This approach is best used in areas where salmon are scattered throughout the water at depths as great as 200 feet.
You will need
Medium to medium-heavy boat rod of about 6 feet, with roller tip
Saltwater reel with 300 yards of 25-lb. test monofilament line
One- to three-pound sinker, with sinker release; OR diving plane; OR downrigger
Bait and Lure; OR baited crowbar hook, OR bait holding rig
Fish club
Cooler
How-To:
Reduce boat speed to 2 to 5 miles per hour (2 to 4 knots).
Lower the tackle into the water, then let out up to 100 feet of line (200 feet for a downrigger).
Watch for the salmon to bite.
Reel in the fish.
Step 3: Subdue and Store
Club the salmon between the eyes.
Take out the gills and gut it.
Place in cooler.
Conclusion
Catching salmon is among the greatest challenges for even a seasoned fisherman. The correct technique and equipment, along with patience and practice, can help you claim the upper hand.
