Hobbies And Interests
Long Pole
A spinning rod has the reel mounted under the pole handle, with the pole's eyes on the underside of the pole. Medium to heavyweight tackle is necessary for the muscular salmon, and most experienced salmon fishermen will tell you the longer the pole, the better. A long pole reaches the tough spots in stream mouths surrounded by brush. A long pole throws farther if you are trolling and don't want fish to be spooked by the vibrations of your motor; and a long pole has more flex for when this powerful piscine smacks your bait.
Hook and Line
Whether you are rigging your spinning tackle with artificial or live bait, use line between 14- and 20-pound test, and sharpen your hooks before you go out. Too light a line will snap with the first strike; and too heavy a line will be visible enough to spook your fish. Salmons' mouths are made of tough flesh, so when you set the hook, you will need maximum penetration to ensure the barb gets under the skin. Once the fish is on, do not allow slack in the line, because these guys are experts at spitting out hooks. Set the drag on your spinning reel so your 14- to 20-pound test will run without breaking, and be patient about reeling them in.
Heat and Light
Salmon do not like heat or light. Ideal water temperatures for salmon are between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Salmon will not loiter in areas of direct sunlight, so fish shaded areas or choose cloudy days. Fishing in the early morning or evening will give you more shadows to fish, and a submersible water thermometer can tell you the locations and depths of salmon-friendly water temperatures. If water temperatures are above 60 degrees on the surface, prepare your spinning tackle for deeper water, and consider worms or salmon eggs instead of artificial bait such as spoons.
Give Them What They Want
Salmon are social. If there is one, there are many; and if there are none, you won't find a loner. You have to present something they like, so match the bait to the conditions. In spring and summer, feeding greed will lead them to take larger baits, while in the fall, salmon will strike better at small, flashy presentations. Once you find what works, if the fish quit biting, they have moved on. If you fish for more than a few minutes without a strike, it is time to move on. The fish already have. When you hit one, prepare for more. One trick is to use several spinning rigs using live bait, so you can take advantage of collective striking conditions.