Salmon lures and bait setups

[TheHound]

I've been salmon fishing for a while now and still trying to figure out what works best. I've had some luck but nothing super great yet .If you fish for salmon a lot, what lures or bait do you always use?

 

[Klaus]

I usually have the best luck with those flashy spoons and cured roe, especially when I'm fishing for salmon in fast water

 

[CoyoteHunter]

I've been salmon fishing for a while now and still trying to figure out what works best. I've had some luck but nothing super great yet .If you fish for salmon a lot, what lures or bait do you always use?

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]

"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!

 

[TheHound]

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?

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