Salmon lures and bait setups
- Thread starter TheHound
- Start date
That is a pretty vague question, there are several different salmon species, which are you referring to? Sockeye, Coho, Pinks, Kings, Steelhead.
Also, is it for the lakes or rivers?
CastleRocker
Member
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2025
- Messages
- 6
"Match the hatch" always works.
When all little the bits and pieces of shiny metal and plastic aren't working...use FRESH bait.
Last fall in the Columbia the bite turned off for us, and we threw the whole tacklebox at them for an entire two tide day. We tried every flavor/color of stuffer, spinner, scent etc. The next day we picked up fresh anchovies, and after sorting through a few with extra fins, we were done in a couple hours. We ran 6oz banana trolling sinkers, 3' leader with bait. It was my 86 year old Dad's idea. I think his exact words were, "fresh bait always works". Was a joy to reel in that many salmon (the long fin "wild" ones that we released), without all the dang jewelery! Not having an 11" flasher with a big cannonball sinker etc. made it way more fun!
When all little the bits and pieces of shiny metal and plastic aren't working...use FRESH bait.
Last fall in the Columbia the bite turned off for us, and we threw the whole tacklebox at them for an entire two tide day. We tried every flavor/color of stuffer, spinner, scent etc. The next day we picked up fresh anchovies, and after sorting through a few with extra fins, we were done in a couple hours. We ran 6oz banana trolling sinkers, 3' leader with bait. It was my 86 year old Dad's idea. I think his exact words were, "fresh bait always works". Was a joy to reel in that many salmon (the long fin "wild" ones that we released), without all the dang jewelery! Not having an 11" flasher with a big cannonball sinker etc. made it way more fun!
Apologies...I should’ve been clearer. I’m mainly targeting coho and chinook in rivers. I am still figuring out what consistently works, so any go-to lure or bait recommendations would help
