Salmon fishing is easily one of the most common fishing trips anglers take. With its accessibility, abundance, and variety, salmon fish are an attractive catch. But even then, it’s still a challenge to catch one. It’s a fun one. But let’s admit it. A fishing trip is only as fun as others say it is if you get a catch. However, other anglers are more into it for the experience itself, regardless of a catch or not.
During spawning and migration season, salmon become the most active. This makes it the best time to catch them. However, perfect timing isn’t the only factor that’s important to make the catch. There are strategies and techniques to apply too. Whatever approach an angler has to fish, it pays to know a thing or two about fishing for salmon the right way. An angler can have a complete set of tools in his tackle box, but it still won’t be enough to guarantee a catch.
Salmon Eggs as Bait
Not a big fan of artificial lures and baits? Using salmon eggs as bait will give you a more authentic fishing experience. Generally, salmons eat any type of fish eggs. In fact, they can’t recognize their own eggs. They do, however, prefer their own. As morbid as that sounds, salmon benefit from egg predation. It gives them the energy they need for spawning and migration season. These are generally available in bait shops and the like.
An alternative to egg sacks is artificial ones. That’s right; there are fake versions of it available. These are typically made from plastic, made to look like salmon eggs.
Colorful and Flashy Lures
If you don’t mind a good ol’ lure, using a colorful and flashy one is the best to use for salmon fishing. However, your choice of color should still be strategically chosen. Blues and greens are best in deep water so that the lure remains visible. Additionally, something flashy will surely attract their attention in deep dark waters.
Float Fishing
Maybe you’re looking for a more relaxing time with little to no physical activity. Float fishing is for you. The most crucial tool in float fishing is the bobber. It’s a floating thing that signals the angler if the fish has taken the bait or not. The bobber will remain at the surface of the water regardless of how far you throw, while the rest of the line, as well as the bait and hook, will sink.
Drift Fishing
Another chill fishing method is called drift fishing. As the name suggests, the lure or bait will be drifting along the water. Like float fishing, the lure or bait is suspended to the bottom with the help of a sinker. The sinker is the star player here, as its function is to provide weight to the lure so that it stays at the bottom where most salmon are found.
The key distinction of drift fishing is the motion involved. While the sinker suspends the bait or lure, it’s set in motion by the boat as it drifts with the wind or currents. This gives salmon the illusion that a live fish is swimming by, which can trigger a spike.
Time the Trip Right
To guarantee a catch, go fishing at the right time of the day. What time could this be? Try early morning, just before sunrise, or during the evening. It’s not every day that one gets to see the sunrise.
Since salmon fishing can be time-sensitive, consider checking into a beautiful fishing lodge for better guidance from staff and a comfortable rest before the big day. Salmon are most active when there’s tide movement, making the lures and baits look all the more attractive. Besides, the peace these hours offer adds to the experience.
Keep Different Hooks
Having the correct hook setup is crucial to getting a successful catch. The hook’s capacity should be ample and dependent on the size of salmon you’re looking to catch. To be safe, bring multiple sizes of hooks to your tackle box. However, using a circle bait allows you to forgo the hook. When the fish gets caught, the hook is already attached to the mouth of the fish.
Even with a complete list of tools in your tackle box, skill and strategic planning are still needed to make that big catch and more. Don’t be afraid to do some trial and error before you get it right. Take your time to discover which techniques work for you. Besides, you have months of peak activity for salmons.
