How to Catch more Salmon!

In most area's the common fishing tactic is to use herring. In many area's herring is not the "main food source". So salmon bites may be short and far between. In many area's needle fish are "more prominent". Imitating a needle fish , will help increase the length of the salmon bite and shorten time between bites. There are many ways to imitate a needle fish! Spoons, hoochies, anchovies. The best replica to represent a needle fish is a anchovy.

Chinook salmon (Kings) are lazy and you need a bait that has a slower and wider roll. For Coho Salmon (Silvers), you need a bait that has a tighter , and faster roll. When fishing anchovies , I prefer to use a Jim Gilbert Krippled Anchovy Holder. As this holder simplifies exact placement of the hook , and helps create a more natural roll, compared to other bait holders.

You must also, brine the anchovies in a salt brine, for the simple reason they are very soft and this will firm them up.

The placement of the hook is crucial to the rolling action of the bait. Factors or situations that will affect the "Roll" or action of your bait are;

  • The trolling speed of the boat.
  • Tide action, going with the tide compared to going against the tide.
  • Placement or positioning of the hook in the bait's body.

    • Always check the action (or roll of the bait) before dropping the gear down on the downrigger.

    Tips on where to place the hook;

  • The closer the hook is inserted to the head, the tighter the roll.
  • The fartherback the slower the roll. A good starting point aprocimately three-quarters of the way back from head.
  • The higher up or closer to the back will create a faster or tight roll.
  • Lowering the hook will slow the roll, the best starting point, is on the divide between the silver side and darker back.
  • You can also bend the bait slightly, too much bend will cause a helicopter effect and will not look natural, and a straight bait will cause a tight , slow spinnin roll.

    • Bait holders come in many colors. The topic , of color theory, is a comprehensive one, and can be frustrating. this could be a subject one could cover in more depth another time.. To simply this, it is a known fact that red is the first color to disapear, except for in muddy water. I use three basic colors clear, charteuse (Green) and red. I fish the clear and charteuse most of the time and will change to red only when fishing in tidal flats or areas where run off from the streams turns the water, I am angling in muddy or a dirty brown color.The reason being is that I have found red to show up the best and produce more strikes or (bites) when fishing in these conditions.

    When fishing waters in Northern BC, I like to fish depths from 31 feet to 85 feet. When fishing waters in Southern BC, Vancouver Island. I prefer to fish depths from 150 feet to 185 feet. The one factor that is constant no matter where I am fishing. Is I always have my bait or lures within 20 feet of the bottom.

    Good luck, tight lines and remember, FISH , HUNT, LIVE