Salmon is without a doubt one of the most popular species to fish for in the wild, rivaling other native species in popularity, in some areas overwhelmingly. Salmon fishing requires specialized tactics that in many cases that are very different when compared to fishing for other species. Let’s take a look at some tips and tricks to catch salmon.
Bait Selection
If you know anything about salmon fishing you will likely already know that salmon eggs or any fish roe in general, is arguably the most productive bait you can use, particularly during spawning.
There are other baits that work very well though, and these include flashy baitfish imitations such as spoons, like the Mepps Syclops, or spinners like the Mepps Aglia and Panther Martin classic spinners.
In certain regions using cut bait has also become increasingly popular with strips of fish such as herring or smelt being very effective at catching salmon during certain periods.
Line Selection
Many of the waters that have great fishing also have very high water clarity. This can make fish very wary and also allow them to spot deficiencies in your presentation.
For these situations try to stick with fluorocarbon line. It has a refractive index that is very close to that of water, and becomes virtually invisible under the water.
Another trick you can try if you want to stick to monofilament lines is to use a red-colored line. The color red diffuses first out of the color spectrum when it comes to light penetration in the water and how it affects color.
Weather Conditions
Overcast days are great when fishing for any species, and this is even more true when it comes to clear water which is prevalent in salmon fishing.
Overcast conditions are great for a number of reasons, fish are more relaxed in the dim and cloudy conditions. Overcast conditions also usually indicate weather changes and changes in atmospheric pressure, these changes usually coincide with active fish and positive feeding moods.
Sharpen your hooks
If you're fishing inland rivers for salmon there will undoubtedly be a rock-strewn bottom. Casting in these conditions will most likely have your lure contacting these rocks and in the process blunt your hooks due to the contact.
Having a hook sharpener while salmon fishing in these conditions is a must, and you should regularly check your hook to make sure they are razor-sharp, with the points not being curled over.
The last thing we as anglers want to have happen is losing a trophy fish due to dull hooks, it happens to the best of us, but in many cases, it can be prevented by simply keeping an eye on our hooks.
Conclusion
These are some basic but very important tips you can employ on the water when salmon fishing. It's the attention to detail in many cases that can turn a day of no fish due to numerous factors like line visibility and blunt hooks, to successful days or even the trophy of a lifetime.
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