Salmon Trolling 101: Your Complete Guide to Catching Salmon by Trolling

Salmon are a prized catch for many anglers, known for their powerful fights, delicious taste, and widespread availability. One of the most effective methods for catching salmon is trolling. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about salmon trolling, from choosing the right fishing gear to mastering essential techniques. Whether you’re targeting Chinook (chinook salmon), Coho (coho salmon), pink salmon (pink salmon), chum, or sockeye, this guide will help you increase your chances of success.

What is Salmon Trolling?

Trolling is a fishing technique that involves using a moving boat to pull your lures or bait through the water. This mimics the movement of swimming prey, triggering the salmon’s predatory instincts. Trolling allows you to cover a lot of water, fish at different depths, and use multiple lines simultaneously.

Why Troll for Salmon?

• Multiple Lines: You can fish with several rods and lines at once, increasing your odds.
• Different Depths: You can target different depths of the water column at the same time, using downriggers to precisely control your lure depth.
• Variety of Baits: You can use different types of lures and bait fish, experimenting to see what works best.
• Covers Water: Trolling lets you cover a large area efficiently, helping you locate active fish.
• Effective: Trolling is a highly effective method for catching salmon.

Salmon Trolling Gear: Essential Equipment

Having the right fishing gear is critical for successful salmon trolling.

1. Rods

Use designated trolling rods. They are designed for the specific demands of this technique. There are a few main types:

• Downrigger Rods: Typically 8 to 10.5 feet long, with a moderate to moderate-fast action. They need enough backbone to handle the weight of the downrigger ball and the pull of a large salmon, but also a soft enough tip to detect strikes and allow the fish to take the bait.
• Mooching Rods: Longer (10-12 feet) and more flexible than downrigger rods. Used for “mooching,” a technique where you slowly troll or drift with bait.
• Diver Rods: Stiffer rods designed for use with diving planers.

Length: 8 to 12 feet long. Longer rods provide:

• Flexibility: Helps absorb the shock of a strike and keeps the hook set, preventing the salmon from throwing the hook.
• Leverage: Gives you more control when fighting a strong salmon.
• Spread: Helps separate your lines and prevent tangles, especially when using multiple rods.

Tip: A soft, flexible tip is essential. It allows the salmon to take the bait and get hooked without feeling too much resistance before you set the hook. This “loads up” the rod, creating tension.

Action: You can use a mix of rod actions:

• Medium-heavy
• Medium-light
• Heavy
• Medium
• Fast action

Materials: Most trolling rods are made of fiberglass, graphite, or a composite of both. Fiberglass is more durable and forgiving (good for beginners), while graphite is more sensitive (better for detecting subtle bites).

2. Reels

Trolling Reels: Choose reels specifically designed for trolling. Two main types are commonly used:

• Line Counter Reels: These reels have a built-in line counter that tells you exactly how much line you have out. This is crucial for accurately controlling your lure depth, especially when using downriggers. You know precisely how deep your lure is running.
• Conventional Reels (Levelwind Reels): These reels have a rotating spool. They are powerful and can handle heavy line and large fish. However, they are not recommended for use with braided line in trolling situations where you might need to control the spool with your thumb (due to the risk of injury). Choose a reel with a smooth, reliable drag system.
• Lever Drag Reels: Provide precise drag control, essential for fighting large salmon.
• Star Drag

Size: A size 300 or larger is generally recommended for salmon trolling.

3. Line and Leaders

Main Line:

• Braided lines (40 to 50 lb test) are popular for their strength, lack of stretch (which helps with hooksets at a distance), and sensitivity. Braided line allows you to feel even light bites.
• Monofilament line (20-30 lb test) is also used, offering more stretch (which can act as a shock absorber, preventing pulled hooks).

Leaders:

• Use leaders between 20 to 30 lb test, made of fluorocarbon or monofilament. Fluorocarbon is less visible in the water, making it a good choice for clear water conditions.
• Leader length typically ranges from 4 to 6 feet, but can vary depending on the setup and the fishery. Some anglers use longer leaders (up to 10 feet) for spooky fish.

4. Lures and Baits:

You can troll using a wide range of baits and lures. The key is to create flash, vibration, and a natural presentation that mimics the salmon’s natural prey.

Live Bait:

• Herring: A very popular and effective live bait for salmon, especially Chinook.
• Anchovies: Another excellent choice, especially on the West Coast.
• Minnows: Various types of minnows can be used, including shiners.
• How to Rig: Live bait is often rigged with a two-hook setup, with one hook through the nose or lips and the other trailing near the tail.

Cut Bait: Strips of herring or other baitfish.

Lures:

• Spoons: Create flash and wobble. Examples include:
  • (Flutter Spoons: Lightweight spoons with a lot of action)
  • (Slender Spoons: More streamlined for a tighter wobble)
• Plugs: Mimic swimming baitfish. Examples include:
• Salmon Plugs: Specifically designed for salmon trolling.
• Hoochies: Soft plastic squid imitations, often used with flashers.
• Spinners: Create flash and vibration.

5. Essential Accessories: Flashers and Downriggers

Flashers: Long, metal or plastic pieces attached in front of your bait or lure. They rotate and flash, attracting salmon from a distance. They mimic the appearance of other fish feeding, triggering a competitive feeding response. Common types include:

• Dodgers: Move side-to-side, creating a more subtle action.
• Rotating Flashers (e.g., Pro-Troll, HotChip, Shortbus): Spin in a circle, creating more flash and vibration. These are very popular for salmon trolling.
• In line rotating flashers

Downriggers: Devices that allow you to lower your lure to a precise depth and keep it there while trolling. They consist of a weight (usually a lead ball, often 10-15 pounds), a release clip, and a line connected to a winch (either manual or electric). Downriggers are essential for targeting salmon at specific depths, especially in deeper water.

Release Clip: The release clip is a critical part of the downrigger setup. It holds your fishing line until a fish strikes, then releases the line, allowing you to fight the fish directly on your rod and reel.

6. Tackle

• Hooks: Use strong, sharp hooks appropriate for the size of salmon you’re targeting. Circle hooks are increasingly popular for catch-and-release.
• Swivels: Use high-quality swivels to prevent line twist, especially when using rotating flashers or spoons.
• Weights: You may need additional weights (keel weights, in-line sinkers) to get your lure down to the desired depth if you’re not using downriggers.

Salmon Trolling Techniques: Mastering the Basics

Once you have your gear, it’s time to start trolling! Here are the key techniques:

Setting the Depth:

• Downriggers: The most precise way to control depth. Attach your fishing line to the release clip on the downrigger line, lower the downrigger weight to the desired depth (using the line counter on your downrigger), and the lure will trail behind at that depth. The clip releases when a fish strikes.
• Divers: Diving planers (like a Dipsy Diver) can also be used to get your lure down, but they offer less precise depth control than downriggers.
• Weights: In some situations, you can use weights (like keel weights or in-line sinkers) to get your lure down, but this is less common and less precise in salmon trolling.

Trolling Speed:

• The ideal trolling speed for salmon is generally between 1.5 and 3.5 mph. However, the key is to make your bait look natural and enticing. Observe your bait or lure near the boat to see how it’s moving.
• Speed and Lure Action: Different lures have different optimal speeds. Experiment to find what works best.

Trolling Patterns:

• Don’t just troll in a straight line!
• Zig-Zag: Make gentle turns to cover more water and change the action of your lures.
• Circles: Troll in circles, especially around bait balls or known salmon holding areas.
• Vary Speed: Occasionally speed up or slow down to trigger strikes.

Setting the Hook:

• With a properly set drag and a soft-tipped trolling rod, the salmon will often hook itself when it strikes. Do not immediately grab the rod and yank it hard (this is a common mistake!). Let the rod load up (bend) and the fish take line. Then, reel steadily and firmly, maintaining constant pressure.
• Using circle hooks minimizes deep hooking and makes catch-and-release easier.

Fighting the Fish:

• Keep steady pressure on the fish.
• Let the rod do the work – don’t “high-stick” the rod (point it straight up). Keep the rod at a 45-degree angle.
• Be prepared for powerful runs and jumps, especially with Chinook (chinook salmon) and Coho salmon.
• Use a net to land the fish – a large net with soft mesh is best.

Reading the Water & Using a Fish Finder:

Modern fish finders are invaluable for salmon trolling. They help you:

• Locate baitfish schools (a key indicator of where salmon might be).
• Identify underwater structure (drop-offs, reefs, submerged objects) where salmon might be holding.
• See the depth of your lures (especially helpful when using downriggers).
• Mark fish (though seeing individual salmon on a fish finder can be challenging)

Look for:

• Bait Balls: Dense clusters of baitfish on your fish finder.
• Temperature Breaks: Sudden changes in water temperature, which can concentrate fish.
• Current Lines: Areas where currents meet, often indicated by surface disturbances or changes in water color.
• Structure: Underwater features that provide cover and attract fish.
• Birds: Birds can help you find schools of fish.

Best Locations for Salmon Trolling:

Salmon are found in many parts of the world. Some popular locations include:

1. Pacific Northwest:

• Oregon: Buoy 10 (at the mouth of the Columbia River) is a legendary salmon fishery, particularly for fall Chinook. Other good areas include Tillamook Bay and coastal rivers.
• Washington: Puget Sound, Neah Bay, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and coastal rivers (e.g., the Skagit River) offer excellent salmon fishing. The San Juan Islands are also a popular destination.
• California: Coastal waters and rivers (e.g., the Sacramento River).

2. Great Lakes:

• Lake Michigan: A major salmon fishery, with Chinook and Coho salmon being the primary targets.
• Other Great Lakes also have salmon populations.

• Alaska: Exceptional salmon fishing for all five species of Pacific salmon (Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Pink, Chum).
• Canada: British Columbia is world-renowned for its salmon fishing.
• Other Locations: Russia, the UK, Sweden, and other parts of Europe.
• Note: Specific locations and regulations vary greatly. Always check local regulations before fishing.

Regulations and Conservation:

Fishing Regulations:

Salmon fishing is heavily regulated. Be sure to check the specific rules and fishing regulations for the area you’re fishing, including:

• Season dates (salmon season can vary greatly by location and species). For example, some areas may have specific openings in April, June, July, August, September, October, or November. Some areas may even have specific days of the week when fishing is allowed (e.g., Saturdays and Sundays only).
• Size limits
• Daily limit (the number of fish you can keep per day).
• Allowed gear (e.g., barbless hooks may be required in some areas).
• Marine area restrictions (some areas may be closed to fishing).
• Quotas: And know the current quota.

Conservation:

Salmon populations in some areas have declined. Practice responsible fishing:

• Follow all regulations.
• Consider catch-and-release, especially for wild salmon.
• Handle fish carefully to minimize stress and injury. Use a net with soft mesh.
• Report any tagged fish you catch.
• Check with your local Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for up-to-date information, or your local governmental organization.

Tips for Successful Salmon Trolling:

• Fish with an Experienced Guide (Beginners): If you’re new, consider hiring a guide. You’ll learn faster and increase your chances of success. A guide can provide valuable local knowledge and expertise.
• Respect Fish Limits: Follow all regulations.
• Bleed Your Salmon: Bleed your salmon immediately after catching to preserve the flavor and quality of the meat.
• Use a Jig: Use a jig.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Conclusion

Salmon trolling is an exciting and effective technique for catching salmon. It requires practice, the right fishing gear, and an understanding of salmon behavior. By mastering the techniques in this guide, choosing the right rods, reels, lures, and baits, and understanding how to use downriggers and flashers effectively, you’ll greatly increase your chances of landing these powerful and delicious fish. Remember to always follow local regulations, respect the resource, be mindful of any closures, and enjoy the thrill of the chase! Good luck, and tight lines!