No matter which approach you use, you should have a large cooler with ice, fish club or hammer, needle-nose pliers and a large landing net.
For trolling with a diving plane or weight you’ll need a medium to medium heavy boat rod with roller tip (about 6 feet) and a saltwater trolling or casting reel that can hold 300 yards of 25 pound test monofilament line. Spinning reels or level wind reels are not generally used.
The diving plane terminal shackle includes a dodger to attract salmon. Vibration put out by the dodger is especially important when water clarity is poor in the spring.
For trolling with a downrigger you’ll need the downrigger, bait casting or spinning rod of 6-8 feet and a bait casting or spinning reel that can hold 200 yards of 10-20 pound monofilament line. For mooching you’ll need about the same types of rod/reel combinations used for downrigging. Specialized downrigger and mooching rods are made by leading rod manufacturers. Levelwind bait casting reels are popular.
The most popular bait for ocean salmon are anchovies. They are purchased frozen, laying flat on a plastic tray, from bait shops. For trolling, the anchovy is either rigged on a crowbar hook or on a plastic bait holding rig.
When trolled, it’s crucial that the anchovies roll or wobble like a wounded bait fish. Without practice or specific experience, this is difficult when using the crowbar hook. But with the plastic bait holding rig (common brand names Rotary Salmon Killer, Herring Aid), a rolling action is guaranteed because of the fin shape molded into the plastic. Also, putting the anchovy into either of these rigs takes only a few seconds. Commercial salmon fishermen typically rig crowbar hooks in advance because it requires patience and a steady hand.
Some Silver Spoons and lures that imitate squid can also be effective. These include Krocodile and Hopkins (1 and 2 ounce), McMahon (#4), and Apex (4 1/2 – 5 1/2 inches). Hoochies (a hula skirt jig) of about 3-4 inches in assorted colors are also popular.
**
See the Pacific Ocean Fishing and San Fransisco Bay Fishing posts. It’s always best to call the day before you intend to go fishing. Ocean-oriented bait and tackle shops know exactly where the salmon are and how deep to fish them.
Scale salmon with the jet of a water hose nozzle. Salmon are usually filleted. Large ones are steaked. Fresh salmon and properly frozen salmon, as anyone knows who has eaten it, is out of this world. Many anglers prefer to barbecue this rich, relatively fatty meat. It is also very good poached (served hot with a sauce or chilled), broiled, baked or smoked.
Ocean salmon exhibit specific feeding behaviors and strike triggers that successful anglers must understand and exploit. Salmon respond aggressively to wounded baitfish presentations; anchovy wobble and roll patterns trigger instinctive predatory strikes.
Color preferences vary by water clarity; bright silvers work in clear water while darker colors perform better in turbid conditions. Salmon exhibit seasonal feeding intensity variations; fall-approaching salmon become increasingly aggressive while spring salmon exhibit selective feeding.
Dodger vibration patterns from terminal tackle create lateral line disturbance signals that attract salmon from substantial distances. Trolling speed directly affects strike rates; optimal speeds (1.5-2.5 knots) balance visibility and perceived prey vulnerability.
Weather systems influence feeding windows; barometric pressure changes often trigger feeding frenzies preceding weather system arrivals. Understanding these behavioral patterns dramatically improves catch consistency.
Successful ocean salmon fishing requires mastering diverse trolling approaches and maintaining precise line control. Traditional straightline trolling covers maximum water volume but misses structural fishing opportunities. Figure-eight trolling patterns maximize lure coverage over productive areas; curved path presentations create variable lure depths and actions.
Turning trolling maintains consistent depth while changing lure direction; frequent course changes simulate wounded baitfish evasion movements. Downrigger tension monitoring prevents line break situations; slack line conditions result in missed strikes while excessive tension causes equipment failure.
Planing depth adjustments throughout the day maintain optimal presentation levels as water temperature and light conditions change. Rod positioning affects hook-set effectiveness; placing rods at varying angles distributes tension loads during powerful salmon strikes.
Maintaining proper bait presentation throughout trolling motions requires constant attention to trolling speed and line control variables.
Ocean salmon exhibit predictable seasonal migration patterns directly affecting fishing success and location selection. Spring runs feature salmon in nearshore areas (30-60 feet) making them accessible to recreational anglers with modest equipment. Early summer brings deepening salmon populations as fish move to cooler offshore waters (80-150+ feet) seeking optimal temperature zones.
Mid-summer salmon reach peak availability when populations concentrate in productive upwelling zones; consistent action characterizes this period. Fall approaching salmon become increasingly aggressive; feeding intensity peaks as fish prepare for their spawning migration.
Winter salmon fishing becomes increasingly difficult as populations transition toward major river systems. Tide table consultation reveals optimal fishing windows when tidal movement concentrates salmon into intercept zones. Understanding seasonal availability helps anglers time trips to peak productivity periods.
Dodgers and terminal rigs directly influence salmon strike rates and catch success through specific design characteristics. Dodgers produce vibration patterns that attract salmon through lateral line sensory systems; larger dodgers create stronger vibrations while smaller dodgers provide subtler stimulation.
Terminal rig selection affects bait presentation; plastic bait holders (Rotary Salmon Killer, Herring Aid) guarantee proper baitfish rolling action compared to difficult-to-master crowbar hook rigging. Spool configuration affects dodger vibration; shortened spools create different frequency patterns compared to standard designs. Shackle attachment points determine vibration transmission; maintaining proper orientation ensures optimal signal transmission to baitfish.
Color coordination between dodgers and baits creates visual presentation impact; contrasting colors improve visibility. Fine-tuning terminal gear selection based on water conditions (clarity, temperature, current) optimizes presentation appeal. Testing alternative configurations identifies preferences; recording successful combinations improves future trip planning.
Deep-water salmon fishing requires specialized techniques and electronics for reaching fish in offshore environments. Fish finder use identifies thermal layers where salmon concentrate; these narrow bands offer highest catch probability. Downrigger fishing maintains precise depth control through thick water columns; cannonball weights allow reaching salmon zones (150+ feet) without excessive line weight.
Temperature monitoring reveals optimal depth zones; salmon seek specific water temperature ranges based on seasonal patterns. Weight adjustment throughout the day compensates for water column temperature changes as surface warming creates thermal stratification.
Cable tension maintenance prevents downrigger failure situations; monitoring line break probability prevents costly equipment loss. Cannonball retrieval requires smooth handling; jerky retrieval motions create problems. Deep-water techniques produce consistent results for serious salmon anglers willing to invest equipment and learning time.
Mooching represents an alternative passive salmon fishing approach providing excellent results in specific situations. Mooching involves suspending live or freshly-dead baitfish at specific depths, allowing natural presentation without active trolling. Mooching rods require sensitive action for detecting subtle salmon bites; light sensitivity improves strike detection.
Baitfish preparation affects mooching effectiveness; large fresh baits (6-8 inches) produce superior results compared to smaller offerings. Soak time optimization balances area coverage with depth presentation; proper positioning maintains baits in salmon zones for extended periods.
Downcurrent drift patterns position boats to present baits naturally to intercepting salmon. Tackle setup for mooching requires specialized rigs; terminal rigging prevents baitfish spinning and tangling.
Mooching excels in specific locations and seasons; understanding seasonal applicability prevents inefficient effort application. Mooching offers excellent opportunities for patient anglers seeking relaxing presentation approaches.
| Product | What It’s For | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Lamiglas Certified Pro Mooching Rod | Gold standard for Pacific mooching — sensitive tip, powerful backbone | ~$120 |
| Pro-Troll Hot Spot Apex Salmon Lure | Go-to Pacific salmon trolling plug for chinook and coho | ~$12 |
| Luhr Jensen Coyote Spoon | Time-tested wobbling spoon that triggers king salmon at depth | ~$8 |
| Berkley Big Game Monofilament 20lb | Abrasion-resistant mono for salmon leaders and mainline | ~$12 |
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Welcome to The Fishing Advice – your complete fishing guide for beginners and seasoned anglers alike.
The Fishing Advice is your no-nonsense, fishing news and information website. We deliver the definitive fishing material straight from the experts.
Contact us: contact@thefishingadvice.com
