Although salmon will take a fly better in shallow to moderate water (2-8 ft.) versus deep pools (10 ft. +), they become more difficult to catch each passing day if they are not moving up river due to low water conditions.
How deep should I fish for salmon?
“Salmon don’t like 72 degrees. They like the colder water, 47, 50, 51 degrees. Optimal fishing depth we can run a rod then is 50 feet.
What depth do you troll for salmon?
Anglers recommend dropping your downrigger around 15–20 feet for the best results. If you’re fishing in saltwater, opt for a 10 lb downrigger. In freshwater, anything between 6–8 pounds will do the job.
Are salmon in deep water?
All of it—right to the bottom. Until a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) study proved that salmon swim around in the deepest areas of Lake Huron, nobody was aware salmon not only go deeper than 700 feet, they split time between ultimate benthic depths and shallow water every day.
What time of day is best for salmon fishing?
In general, the magic hours of early morning just before sunrise, and late evening just after sunset are the best for salmon fishing. The phases of the moon come into play, high and low tide, and even low-pressure systems moving in can enhance your opportunity.
What is the best bait for salmon?
Salmon eggs are the top choice for bait, although sand shrimp are very popular for chinook salmon. Some anglers like to fish both at the same time. 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.
What kind of bait do salmon like?
Also called salmon roe, salmon eggs are widely considered the best salmon bait for salmon fishing. This is because the scent of the eggs attracts salmon, especially during the middle of the spawn season. You can use single salmon eggs or spawn bags which are a cluster of salmon eggs grouped together.
How fast should you troll for salmon?
Trolling Speed for Salmon
Anywhere from 1.8 to 3 mph is the best.
How long should a salmon trolling rod be?
I like the 8.5 to 9 foot range myself, for the reasons first stated. Way easier to net your fish.
How do I get more salmon?
Top 10 Tips and Tricks for Salmon Fishing
- Prepare before you go out.
- Sharpen your hooks.
- Pick your bait wisely.
- Add flash!
- Use red line.
- Overcast for the win!
- If you are fishing on a river or current, use the drift fishing technique.
- If you are fishing out on the open water, fish with the tide flow, not against it.
Where do salmon lie in a pool?
Salmon will often lie in the tails of pools where the water seems to lift up and gain speed. Salmon will also lie where the water slows down and flattens out after running into a pool from rapids or riffles. junction pools or any pool where a tributary enters the main river is a likely location for salmon to hold.
What depth do king salmon live?
Habitat. Chinook Salmon migrate upstream in freshwater streams and rivers as adults to spawn and downstream as juveniles to grow and mature in the open ocean at depths from the surface to 398 meters (1,305 feet).
What lures to use for salmon in rivers?
6 Best Salmon Lures for River Fishing
- Spinners. For some anglers, standalone in-line spinners are tops among the best salmon lures for river fishing.
- Winged drift bobber rigs. These are buoyant floats with wings and are a component of drift rigs.
- Casting spoons.
- Flies.
- Wobbling plugs.
- Colors.
What is the best month for salmon fishing?
Fishing for spring-run salmon often peaks from June through August, and fishing for fall-run salmon can be excellent from August through November.
Do salmon bite in dark?
The answer is usually “yes,” but few anglers capitalize on the possibilities. “There’s pretty good evidence that those salmon you fish for at last light and again at first light are actively feeding throughout the night,” Tony Floor says.
How far can salmon travel in one day?
How Far Can Salmon Swim Upstream in one Day? Depending on the species and water conditions, salmon can cover around 40 miles upstream per day. Sockeye, coho, and king salmon are the better swimmers, as they can swim reach up to 45 miles a day depending on the condition of the waterway.
What scents attract salmon?
Vanilla extract, DMSO, herring oil, rootbeer extract and sugars are all proven salmon-getters. Salmon have an affinity to sweets, so keep that in mind. Today’s salmon scents can be applied to just about any terminal gear.
Are worms good bait for salmon?
Plastic Worms For Salmon Fishing
For many years 3 and 4-inch plastic worms have been my secret hot bait for steelhead and trout, but they are also one of my best baits for salmon fishing in rivers and I use them all the time. In fact, many of my buddies and guides swear that beads are often their top bait for salmon.
What colors do salmon see best?
The colors that show up in the deepest water are greens, blues and blacks. All glow lures glow green. In addition, Ultra Violet colors can be added to your tackle box, as they show up at all depths. While we can’t see UV colors, salmon see them very well.
What size hook do you use for salmon?
Sizes 6 & 4 are a good general size. For Salmon or larger trout use 4 or 2. Size 8 for pressured or finicky trout.
What size lures for salmon?
For salmon, try using the 1/2 ounce or 1/4 ounce lure. This lure comes in solid colors and patterns. Some of the patterns, like brown trout, mimic other types of fish.