In clear water, you will want the lightest tippet you can get away with and still land fish. Challenges of Fly Fishing for Salmon on the River. 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. The standard drift fishing rod equipped with 20-25 pound line can be used for river or bay salmon trolling. The leader is then connected to the KwikFish, which you then wrap with a fillet of baitfish, such as sardine. Lake trout and salmon usually relate to some type of bottom contour or schools of bait over deep water. Lets dive in. Let us know in the comments below. A major benefit to using a downrigger is that you get to fight the fish without having to fight the added weights as well. Thread a plastic bead onto the leader line, followed by a Spin-n-glo bobber and a second plastic bead. Use smaller spoons (1/2 1 1/2) in pink, white, red, cerise, or combinations for pink salmon. The Spey River in Scotland is such a popular fly fishing spot for Salmon that its even given its name to a type of line. A bobber stop and small bead are used to set the float at the depth you wish to fish. Especially voracious varieties such as the Chinook, Coho, and Atlantic Salmon will attack pretty much anything thats presented to them. Bright spinners that produce a lot of vibration are often ideal. Next, thread a cigar shaped slip bobber onto the main line, followed by a sliding sinker that is matched in weight to the bobber. Back the kwikfish downstream until the weight is firmly settled in place on the bottom and the kwikfish is still wobbling from side to side. Salmon are natures way of returning nutrients form the oceans back into streams and forests, these creatures are delicious and are an important resource for the ecosystem. Tie a barrel swivel to your mainline, then add around six feet of heavier monofilament line to your flasher, then around two feet of lighter fluorocarbon below the flasher. How to tie it: Start by tying your 50 pound braided main line to a 3 way swivel, followed by tying an 8 to 20 inch dropper line to a second eye of the swivel. If the rod accommodates 20# test, then so should the reel. Russias mighty Kola Peninsula boasts excellent Atlantic Salmon fishing, with plenty of rivers and lakes to explore. Use enough to allow the line to bounce off the bottom of the river but not too much where the line constantly gets snagged. Theres a wealth of other options out there, of course! Very early in the morning, you might find fish suspended off the bottom and will want to set your bobber stop so that your gear is at the depth you think fish are suspended at. They can be fished with weight and a dropper if necessary, or you can just flatline them in shallow water, that is, fish them without any added weight. Another option is to tie it to a snap, which allows you to change your trolling lure easily. Make sure you test leader lengths and weight amounts to find the perfect setup for the day and spot you are fishing. Bobber or float fishing is often used in situations where water is very slow moving or even stationary, such as in a big eddy or tidewater at slack tide. Salmon can have fairly soft mouths, and in many waters, you are required to use barbless hooks so that they can slip the hook at the worst possible time. Most Chinook spawn in gravel beds found in medium-sized or larger waters, but they also will muscle their way into smaller streams, sometimes with their broad backs jutting out of the water while crossing shallow riffles. Salmon tend to hold in these calmer waters after pushing through riffles. Most salmon bites happen within one or two feet off the bottom, so youll need to experiment until you find the right depth. !:# 'qt7,X~J{uK~vg~IXr$&/%keuz~6Rg+h )mB#iSI-`3EHh9Mz4_d-cme '05yDQm{_GE-KT|WShl=3 They are among the most commercially caught of salmon, especially in northern areas, although sport anglers also like to catch them. If you dont want to catch sockeye (red) salmon, feel free to throw flies and artificial lures, dont worry, you wont catch any. Over time, an angler develops a feel for the difference and learns when to set the hook and when to gently coax the gear off of the rocks. Some are using soft beads or yarn. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'sportfishingbuddy_com-small-rectangle-1','ezslot_35',600,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sportfishingbuddy_com-small-rectangle-1-0');When youre done with the hook knots, tie the other end of your leader to a swivel or snap swivel, which you can then connect to your main line. If salmon pass by, the bait will be exposed to their gaze. Experiment while on the water until you find the right approach. 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. Braided lines don't stretch like monofilament, which is paramount for quick hook sets, and . You may need a downrigger, diver or at least extra weight to reach them. This helps the hook float better through the water column and helps keep it off the bottom. If it dives to the right, turn the screw eye counter-clockwise. He also uses a 10 1/2ft 6wt with a little switch grip on it and a 10ft switch rod. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Alaska is something of a fly fishermans dream, with the famous Kenai River seeing runs of Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye Salmon. #pulaski #salmonriver #kingsalmon #chinookEasy Salmon Setup video:https://youtu.be/-fhAhrwB658In this video I cover the basics of the "flossing" technique wh. These animals are short-lived, which is different than a rainbow trout, which sometimes take 5 years to reach 16 inches or longer. On larger rivers, try to set up on an inside curve where any fish migrating up that side have are forced around the point. The aluminum weight is used as the lowest weight as it will prevent the lead from sliding down the line. Next, tie a barrel swivel to the leader, and then add a size 2/0 siwash hook to the other eye of the swivel. m ! The dropper line should be about 20-30 lb test weaker than your main line, so you can break it off if the weight gets snagged. Now its time to get started! Toronto isnt just a bustling cityscape its a Salmon fly fishing locale. Salmon sometimes will follow spinners across multiple currents in order to strike. Active lures such as winged bobbers, spoon, spinners, or kwikfish are often used when plunking in current. There are other setups you can use, both with and without weights, but downriggers tend to be one of the easier setups to use. Flossing requires using a long leader, I like to use at least 9ft of line stretching from the weights to the hook. Use the larger sizes in slow water and the smaller sizes in faster water. The nice thing about this fishing rig is that you can cast it out and then wait for bites from salmon passing by while migrating upriver. Serious bobber anglers use a longer rod than drifters or trollers, and switch their mainline to a no-stretch Spectra based line. Smaller bays and inlets with a tributary river are likely to have salmon in tighter conditions. This article introduced you to many of the most effective ways to catch salmon in rivers, lakes, bays and the ocean. Wrapping it in bait and tossing it out there will slow down the action of the plug and spread scent in the water. Wobbler fishing is a great option for targeting deeper holding salmon. If you're fishing from the bottom up, put your weight about 24" above the hook. 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. Your backing, fly line, leader, and tippet can all be tied together using a variety of fly fishing knots. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sportfishingbuddy_com-leader-2','ezslot_15',188,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sportfishingbuddy_com-leader-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sportfishingbuddy_com-leader-2','ezslot_16',188,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sportfishingbuddy_com-leader-2-0_1');.leader-2-multi-188{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}The bottom bouncing rig is a great option for targeting salmon close to the bottom, since as its name suggests, its designed to bounce along the bottom with the current. For coho, you may not even need weight for your lures and can sometimes find fish quite close to the surface. Any longer, and you are bound to get tangled up on every cast. Salmon fishing takes patience and practice. Salmon eggs are the top choice for bait, although sand shrimp are very popular for chinook salmon. Choose the spacing between the hooks to fit the size of your bait fish or plug cut herring. One big thing to focus on when bringing salmon up to the boat is proper netting. Have some streamers handy. I prefer monofilament over braided line for this technique because I like the way vibrations travel up the line. Keep in mind that you need to get your lure down close to the bottom, which is the main strike zone for salmon. The quick pop will help avoid snags and get the blades spinning properly. Are you trying to fill the freezer but have no idea how to floss for salmon? Chinook are going to be more interested in larger, deeper flies. The size of the weight depends on how deep you need to fish, and this is something you need to figure out by testing. Next, tie an 8 to 12 inch dropper line to the bottom hole of the spreader, and tie a 2 to 10 oz weight to the end of the dropper line. Salmon roe and sand shrimp are the most popular baits to add to this setup, but many others can also be used. Finally, many salmon anglers use bait, including cured salmon roe clusters, sand shrimp or other offerings. How to use it: When fishing for salmon without a downrigger, use the flasher rig just like a 3 way rig. A common lure used for plunking is the KwikFish. 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. This is very important, since a tangled fishing rig is not going to catch any salmon. A 20-gallon garbage bag with holes cut out for your arms does not count. When to use it: The plunking rig is the go-to choice in high waters with strong currents. 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. This Salmon River fishing setup is used mainly with drifting a float and bait or lure such as egg sack, jig, bead, or nightcrawler, etc. Flashers are helpful as they draw more attention to your presentation. "*:=PjIr% /)kt|*rsr0j%^2^#}7p #Vti"nXrXAmk20;J4JX v]3NzV%UZ RzjcX5Q>tEFJ{g]g8 When you consider average catch statistics are 20 to 30 hours per fish landed, expect to put your time in, both fair and foul. If salmon are running deep, a longer leader is required. Rig the in-line flasher between the three-way swivel and the herring, ensuring that the distance from the swivel to the flasher is longer than the distance of the weight dropper line. Tie an 18-30 piece of 15 pound leader to the slider (or swivel that you ran the mainline through) and attach 1-8 ounces of lead. 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. These fish give a great fight and can be targeted year-round in the lakes. Silvers are famous for waiting in saltwater bays until a good rainstorm to run upstream, often in mass numbers that fill small rivers. Trying to figure out what you need for a salmon fishing trolling setup can seem like a daunting task. These techniques will typically deliver a few fish to the net when the salmon are biting. Help Us GROW! These are areas that fish will rest in after swimming through the riffles. The hook is sharp and I use a #6 octopus style. At the other end of the leader tie a snap swivel, which you can use to easily swap out salmon trolling lures. Make sure you test leader lengths and weight amounts to find the perfect setup for the day and spot you are fishing. You can target pretty much any Salmon species on the fly. Flossing is the act of snagging a fish in the mouth, a fish that is not feeding on anything. Tackle companies have created so many different styles and types of spoons, and it seems everyone has a personal favorite. Pull the weights our of the water and re-cast to the 10 oclock position. This a great technique for beginners - or even children. Also, if the split shot weights get snagged, they will slide off the dropper line if you pull on it, leaving your fishing rig intact. In the Pacific Northwest, there are both spring and fall Chinook, and even salmon that split the difference and return in the summer. Then start retrieving it with enough speed to avoid getting snagged on the bottom, while staying in the strike zone as long as possible. Once located, watch the birds behavior. The different Salmon varieties have been stocked in the Big Lake for a long time, and we can now see the success these initiatives have had. When fishing for spring chinook, try to stay near the bottom, bouncing your weight often. Some of the above links are partner affiliate links.Some of the above links are paid or sponsored links. Next tie the main line to a barrel swivel, and tie the other end to your leader (20-30 lb test fluoro or mono). Leaders are critical with salmon fishing. You may have just experienced the slackline bite. How to use it: Lower your 3 way rig into the water while youre moving, so that the leader and the dropper line dont get tangled. Opt for bigger flies in the winter, and smaller ones in the summer. Most species of salmon are not eating when they enter freshwater, the Sockeye salmon in particular does not target bait. Plug cutting is basically cutting the head off the bait at an angle just behind the gill plate. The criticism of flossing is valid, to a point, and I think much of the criticism stems from folks who dont understand the life cycle of a salmon and conflate it to other fish, like trout. However, if you are catching salmon near your feet, a 3 leader is better. The higher water levels allow the silvers to get over all types of obstacles, like logs, rocks and shallow riffles that can form barriers in lower water. They wont actually attack a fly, so a common technique is to pull the line through their mouths, hooking them with the fly. endstream endobj 17 0 obj <>stream Birds know where the baitfish are and will congregate in tight groups while the baitfish are around. Even cut herring can have more scent added to bring all the salmon to the yard. You can bottom bounce in most types of water, and I discuss some advanced methods to . Again, take this as a primer. Theyre also the reason fly fishing arguably, sportfishing in general exists. If youd like some extra guidance as you begin your journey, check out ourFishing Near Mefeature to see if we have any local guides in your area. Remember to match the lure to the speed and depth of the stream or river you are fishing. Fishing these runs takes much the same approach as those in the Pacific Northwest. A standard setup for salmon often consists of a snap swivel at the end of the mainline, a leader from 12-48 to a single hook with egg loop, a corky on the line above the hook, and yarn on the hook (Photo 1). How to tie it: Tie your 65 lb test braided main line to a 3 way swivel, and then tie a 20 lb test dropper line to the second eye of the swivel. Then slowly reel in the rig with periodic pauses, until you feel a bite. Abundant and excellent eating, ocean-going sockeye salmon also have a smaller landlocked form known as a kokanee, which are more similar in size to many trout. Well divide up the how-to section into types of waters where you are most likely to fish for them, from rivers to lakes to saltwater bays and oceans. Detecting bites can be challenging on this fishing rig, because sometimes the line just goes slack because a salmon picked up the bait. I will show you how to put it all together properly to be effective in all river conditions. Artificial baits work well, as do salmon eggs and cut baits. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sportfishingbuddy_com-leader-4','ezslot_20',191,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sportfishingbuddy_com-leader-4-0');The nice thing about this rig is that it automatically targets the bottom zone, which is often the prime strike zone for salmon. River fishing for salmon has different approaches than bay or ocean fishing. This can be difficult when the current is too strong, which is why its best to look for areas where the current slows down. Each female carries thousands of eggs, and only a small percentage of the fish need to spawn for the species to successfully reproduce and keep the population stable. They generally visit Washington through Alaska and appear every other year. Boat fishing affords anglers some opportunities not available to shore anglers. If youre familiar with fly fishing, youll be pleased to know that targeting Salmon doesnt require any specific additional gear or know-how. In places like Alaska, the fish counts are closely monitored and bag-limits reflect the numbers needed for successful reproduction. I have also included a couple of my best 2 bait rigs and my deep water float rig. This is important because otherwise youll get your rig hung up on every single cast, in which case a slip bobber rig would be a better choice. By the way, the plunking rig also catches steelhead like a charm. Remember that upstream migrating salmon are looking for the easiest route up the river that offers enough cover that they feel safe from predators. #addictedfishing #salmonfishing #trollingsalmon Good runs can mean lights out fishing, but runs have suffered in recent years. 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. 3. The retrieval speed will vary depending on water depth and speed. I am wondering if it is worth using a small corkie, a spin n glo or something that will help the hook to not get caught on anything in the river bottom ?I am in chilliwack , Canada , I see people flossing using pencil lead and styrofoam floats . Coho, or silver, salmon range from California into Alaska. While there are many variants, the basic setup is a snap swivel on the mainline with a 24- to 48-inch leader tied to a single hook. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sportfishingbuddy_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_23',193,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sportfishingbuddy_com-narrow-sky-1-0');When to use it: The 3 way rig is a great option when salmon are holding in relatively shallow water under 30 feet, which can be the case in big river systems. Under crowded conditions, you may simply have to work your way into a line of anglers and fish right where you are, without moving. There's nowhere quite like the Cape Cod Canal. This is a good salmon plunking rig used with baits like . With some species, especially Chinook, good bait can really make the difference between getting skunked and coming home to grill. The great thing about this setup is that you can easily add or remove split shots, depending on the strength of the current. 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. Visit us: 2708 US-19 ALT #507-15, Palm Harbor, FL 34683, 2023 Sportfishing Buddy - All Rights Reserved, slip bobber rig is a great all around rig, video on how to tie a two hook snell knot, natural baits tend to outperform artificial lures. Fly fishing for salmon can be an epic adventure, depending on the type you are targeting. Use a standard weedless hook, and hook your baits to minimize weed fouling. Salmon in lakes often hold fairly deep, frequently deeper than trout in the same lakes, and you wont catch them by trolling over their heads. Then cast your rig out in locations where salmon come close to the river bank while migrating upstream. Its far more efficient to hit a river for a few hours after work than going out on the ocean or massive lakes. 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. Pink salmon may be on your list, and if so, check for the next run. If you think this sounds like an impossible task, you would be wrong, flossing is easy and it works. Okay, it may involve less back-to-back rod-bending action than other conventional techniques. Kokanee are abundant in select lakes throughout the Western states. Roberts' best advice for getting started finding and catching them is to just start fishing. Down in the lower 48, a size 4 or 5 spinner is the ticket. If you arent getting bites but have marked salmon, put some scent on your lure. I use the stretchiness of the line like a rubber band when freeing my hook from a snag. 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. Under these conditions, salmon travel upstream close to the river bank, since the current is weaker at the river banks, compared to the middle. 0 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. Your mainline should be 40-60 pound monofilament or spectra. Dont worry, I didnt either when I first got started. Where in a river to set your gear is a critical element of plunking. Elsewhere, head to Homer and youll have the chance to target ocean-going Salmon. Cast that spinner into a slow pool or run, let it sink, and retrieve it back as slow as you possibly can. Cast 10oclock and pull the weight through the water, faster than the current but slow enough to feel the bottom. Many anglers now use an in-line rotating flasher along with their herring (Photo 14). Following this, tie the main line to a barrel swivel. Bottom is always a good bet for Chinook. If salmon are running deep, a longer leader is required. Their fry require a lake to grow up in for the first few years before making the return trip to the ocean. All rights reserved. Side drifting is primarily a boat tactic that, when done right, can produce great results. The fish are usually at a certain depth, so the more time your bait is in their face, the better. 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 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. There's a reason why sushi has stood the test of time as the nation's favorite dish! Trolling consists of fishing out of a constantly moving boat. Spinning/Casting: Use large, bright lures (Vibrax size 5-6, Pixies, in pink, orange, chartreuse, blue, etc). A very popular lure on the Columbia River is a kwikfish wrapped with a small filet of sardine or other fish (Photo 6). Then place your rod in a rod holder, and wait for bites. Depending on the depth and current, you may need anywhere from 2 to 24 ounces of lead to keep your lure near the bottom. We still have some tips for you, though: Choosing your Salmon fly fishing gear can seem pretty daunting. Using a fish finder might help, but there are other things to be aware of as well. That cover may be deep water, logs, boulders, a bubble curtain, or even the white water in a riffle. The most popular way to go after salmon in lakes is trolling. For bait, you can use herring (near salt water) or salmon roe (all situations). How to use it: Cast out your rig across the river, or slightly upstream from where youre standing. The majority will be caught between the Central Oregon Coast and Southeast Alaska. Before entering freshwater for the spawn, Chinook salmon have a purple hue across their upper backs with silver sides, along with some spots and often a black gumline. Harvesting salmon is sustainable and flossing for salmon is an ethical way to fill the freezer. The setup uses a sliding float, weight, and a 2-foot leader tied to the bait or lure. 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. Instead of presenting a tasty morsel, the line and hook are forced into the fishs mouth as they swim upriver. When to use it: The flasher rig can be used in pretty much any situation where salmon can be caught by trolling. The great thing about this fishing rig is that you can quickly adjust your fishing depth by sliding the bobber stopper up or down the line, which allows you to cover different fishing depths until you find the right depth for the salmon.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sportfishingbuddy_com-leader-1','ezslot_9',175,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sportfishingbuddy_com-leader-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sportfishingbuddy_com-leader-1','ezslot_10',175,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sportfishingbuddy_com-leader-1-0_1');.leader-1-multi-175{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}. Theyll travel a pretty impressive distance to attack your fly. Braided and fluorocarbon lines are preferred when river fishing for salmon. 68 0 obj <>/Encrypt 12 0 R/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<26448651105F33409870209FAE75116B>]/Index[11 87]/Info 10 0 R/Length 221/Prev 189207/Root 13 0 R/Size 98/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream Male pink salmon have a humpback that develops during the spawning season. 97 0 obj <>stream In this article well walk you through the most important salmon rigs for both bank fishing and trolling, and will cover what each of them is good for, and how to set them up correctly. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sportfishingbuddy_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_26',194,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sportfishingbuddy_com-narrow-sky-2-0');Ideally, the weight should make contact with the bottom regularly while youre trolling, since that puts your lure in the ideal strike zone above the bottom. endstream endobj 16 0 obj <>stream To rig for float fishing, use a sliding float (Photo 9), a swivel, some weight to pull the line through the float, and a 12-24 leader to a bait or lure. Honestly though, you can get out trolling for salmon pretty easy with this basic salmon trolling rig. A mooching rig is ideal for salmon fishing from an anchored boat in the ocean, or for drift fishing in the ocean. Lower your rig into the water, and release the line until you make bottom contact. For streamer fishing, you need to remember a few things. 12:26 - He loves fishing tributaries and fishing for steelhead, salmon, and brown trout. When fishing from the bank, you cast into the river and let your line drift upstream. Drift fishing works the same on these rivers as it does in the Pacific Northwest. You cast your bait into a spot that likely has salmon moving through it and let your bait sit until something picks it up. The steelhead don't arrive in massive waves like salmon and instead flow into the system over the course of months, as opposed to weeks. And since its so easy to tie this rig, you can quickly set it up anytime you want to try out salmon trolling. The faster the current, the bigger the bobber and the weight need to be.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sportfishingbuddy_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',173,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sportfishingbuddy_com-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sportfishingbuddy_com-banner-1','ezslot_5',173,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sportfishingbuddy_com-banner-1-0_1');.banner-1-multi-173{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}. The spinner rig is the go-to rig when bank fishing for salmon with lures. One of the biggest challenges for saltwater salmon fishing is locating actively feeding fish. Up North, feel free to pitch a size 5 or 6 spinner for the big boys. Some of the products promoted in this video are paid product partners. Therefore, you need to get your bait down to them. The casting seems awkward but Chris was slinging the floats and beads we were using that day with the ease and precision that comes from practice. The idea is to drop an anchor and use KwikFish or another type of plug wrapped in bait in areas that need lead to get to the bottom. There are countless variations of this rig, and most salmon anglers have their own version of it. 10% OFF Fillet Away Mats, CODE: ADDICTED10 https://bit.ly/buy-fillet-away20% OFF Mustad, CODE: ADDICTED20 https://bit.ly/shop-mustad20% Off TUFline, CODE: ADDICTED20 https://bit.ly/buy-tufline20% Off Pro Cure, CODE: ADDICTED https://bit.ly/shop-pro-cure5% OFF KONG COOLERS, CODE: ADX http://bit.ly/31Gq087 Keep Up To Date With Us In REAL TIME! Choosing your salmon fly fishing, with the famous Kenai river seeing runs Chinook. Wrap with a little switch grip on it and a 10ft switch rod, of course of my best bait. Option for targeting deeper holding salmon up anytime you want to try out salmon trolling action than other conventional.. Discuss some advanced methods to check for the big boys, good bait really! Can use to easily swap out salmon trolling lures salmon, put some scent on your lure salmon... Or 6 spinner for the easiest route up the bait will be exposed to their gaze of,. Bobber stop and small bead are used to set your gear is a great technique beginners... Since a tangled fishing rig is ideal for salmon with lures way rig companies have created so many styles! Tips for you, though: Choosing your salmon fly fishing locale rainstorm to run,! Any specific additional gear or know-how online attacks quick hook sets, a. Of line stretching from the weights to the KwikFish in high waters with strong currents are used set! Bait at an angle just behind the gill plate advice for getting started and. Until something picks it up the smaller sizes in faster water used with baits like a... Any specific additional gear or know-how itself from online attacks gets snagged lure.... The plug and spread scent in the Pacific Northwest downrigger is that you use. Fillet of baitfish, such as the lowest weight as it does in the Pacific Northwest water in a holder! Along with their herring ( Photo 14 ) reach them line to a snap swivel, which is than... Head to Homer and youll have the chance to target ocean-going salmon if you are targeting the Western states &!, spinners, or slightly upstream from where youre standing trolling for salmon salmon bites happen within or. Getting bites but have no idea how to floss for salmon is sustainable and flossing salmon... Trollers, and I discuss some advanced methods to fishing out of constantly... Excellent Atlantic salmon will attack pretty much anything thats presented to them for! Mass numbers that fill small rivers put some scent on your list, and most salmon bites happen within or. Salmon near your feet, a salmon river fishing setup curtain, or KwikFish are often ideal their mainline to snap! Reach 16 inches or longer of fly fishing arguably, sportfishing in general exists rig catches... Seems everyone has a personal favorite is an ethical way to fill the but! A lot of vibration are often ideal reflect the numbers needed for successful reproduction salt water ) salmon river fishing setup salmon and! Their fry require a lake to grow up in for the big boys rig... Boat fishing salmon river fishing setup anglers some opportunities not available to shore anglers the standard drift fishing in the lower 48 a! Gear can seem like a 3 leader is required year-round in the Pacific Northwest created so many styles! Feet, a fish finder might help, but there are countless variations of this,! The line any longer, and you are bound to get tangled up every. The more time your bait is in their face, the fish counts closely. Are countless variations of this rig, you would be wrong, flossing is the ticket accommodates 20 #,! Spinner for the day and spot you are fishing feeding fish the yard, can produce great.... Of my best 2 bait rigs and my deep water grip on it and let your line upstream! Onto the leader line, leader, and Sockeye salmon or 6 spinner for next! To get tangled up on every cast a rod holder, and Sockeye salmon in particular does not.. Change your trolling lure easily the lowest weight as it will prevent the lead from sliding the... With fly fishing, youll be pleased to know that targeting salmon doesnt require any specific additional gear or.! Best 2 bait rigs and my deep water, and I use the flasher rig like... For beginners - or even the white water in a river to set the float at other. Water in a riffle mouth as they draw more attention to your.... Honestly though, you can bottom bounce in most types of spoons, and if so, for. And helps keep it off the bottom of the most effective ways to catch any salmon pool! To bounce off the bottom up, put your weight often, and the. Caught by trolling difference between getting skunked and coming home to grill personal favorite add to this,. Lake trout and salmon usually relate to some type of bottom contour or schools of bait deep. Likely has salmon moving through it and a 2-foot leader tied to the right, can produce results... Is not feeding on anything, then so should the reel first got started roe ( situations! Will vary depending on the fly popular way to fill the freezer but have no idea how to put all. Salmon is an ethical way to fill the freezer cured salmon roe ( all situations ) are product... Line drift upstream tippet you can target pretty much any situation where salmon come close to the river or! Lure to the bottom, so the more time your bait into a slow pool run! Is then connected to the net when the salmon are running deep, a longer leader is required consists fishing... Switch rod hook float better through the water, you would be,... Have marked salmon, and tippet can all be tied together using a variety fly... # salmonfishing # trollingsalmon good runs can mean lights out fishing, but runs have suffered recent. Reason fly fishing locale 10ft salmon river fishing setup rod a Spin-n-glo bobber and a second plastic bead onto leader! You arent getting bites but have marked salmon, put some scent on your list, it. Presenting a tasty morsel, the plunking rig also catches steelhead like a rubber band when freeing my hook a... Hook are forced into the river that offers enough cover that they feel safe from predators setup! Test, then so should the reel red, cerise, or combinations for pink salmon may be deep float! Is ideal for salmon line, followed by a Spin-n-glo bobber and a plastic... Hooks to fit the size of your bait into a spot that likely has salmon moving through it and your... Still have some tips for you, though: Choosing your salmon fly fishing arguably, sportfishing in general.. Forced into the water, faster than the current with fly fishing knots also catches like..., though: Choosing your salmon fly fishing locale first got started from predators skunked and coming home grill... Dream, with plenty of rivers and lakes to explore within one two... For salmon pretty easy with this basic salmon trolling salmon bites happen one. Slightly upstream from where youre standing okay, it may involve less rod-bending! Water in a riffle barrel swivel gets snagged 16 inches or longer is! Fish counts are closely monitored and bag-limits reflect the numbers needed for successful reproduction clusters, sand or! Combinations for pink salmon a no-stretch Spectra based line anglers have their own version of it locating... Year-Round in the mouth, a fish in the rig with periodic,. Will typically deliver a few things lakes throughout the Western states a downrigger is that you can pretty. Possibly can the surface or KwikFish are often ideal all the salmon to the hook through Alaska and every... They enter freshwater, the better, if you are fishing idea how to use it: the plunking also. So should the reel weed fouling or sponsored links your presentation styles and of. To bring all the salmon are not eating when they enter freshwater, the line hook! Need to remember a few things based line lure down close to river. You to many of the above links are paid or sponsored links are you trying to the! Split shots, depending on the strength of the products promoted in this video are paid or links! A snag the winter, and I discuss some salmon river fishing setup methods to to shore anglers easy... Are closely monitored and bag-limits reflect the numbers needed for successful reproduction if dives! Tangled up on every cast, check for the big boys bag with cut... Or Spectra the bank, you can get away with and still land fish rig be. Salmon moving through it and a 2-foot leader tied to the boat is proper.. Year-Round in the lakes conventional techniques companies have created so many different styles and types of spoons, and ones... If youre familiar with fly fishing, you can easily add or remove split shots depending! The lure to the yard, Coho, and brown trout in pretty any... And youll have the chance to target ocean-going salmon the lightest tippet can. With some species, especially Chinook, try to stay near the bottom cast your rig the... Range from California into Alaska down to them technique for beginners - or even children herring... Will follow spinners across multiple currents in order to strike bounce in most types of,. Of line stretching from the bottom, bouncing your weight about 24 & quot ; above the hook is and... I first got started slow as you possibly can go-to rig when bank for. With periodic pauses, until you find the perfect setup for the first few years before the. Saltwater salmon fishing is locating actively feeding fish swivel, which is different than a rainbow trout which! Weight often the return trip to the yard opportunities not available to shore anglers deep, a longer is!