Fishing is more than a hobby; it is an art form. Fishing is not just baiting a line and plopping it in the water, waiting for a bite. Fishing is mimicking your targets’ prey, knowing when the right time to strike approaches, knowing when to let the line go; it is patience. Salmon are attracted to many different types of bait, but without the right technique, a salmon will be always wary. In this article, we will explain the different types of bait for salmon and how to use them properly.
Types of Live Bait
Live bait has been used for centuries—and for good reason. Live bait is actually alive and moves on its own in the water. Live bait also sends out its natural smell in the water, becoming more attractive to fish. The most common use of live bait for salmon fishing is salmon roe (eggs). They are cheap, usually bright and colorful, and are one of the salmons’ tastiest treats.
Minnows are also another option. Minnows are always a good choice, as almost any freshwater fish are attracted to and eat them; just make sure they are lively when you bait the minnows on your hook.
Sand shrimp are another option. Sand shrimp usually are the best bait for catching salmon, but they are also the most expensive and hardest to rig. But if you have the patience and the money for it, they won’t let you down.
Types of Artificial Bait
We could talk for days about the many different types of artificial bait you could use, but for now, we are going to just mention the most common. Silver spoons have a concave oval attached to a hook. When moving in the water, the oval flutters and flashes, attracting salmon.
Spinnerbait is another common lure. This lure usually has some type of metallic blades at the end that spin in the water, creating movement.
Cut plugs are solid or rigid lures that look like small fish and have many hooks. All lures and artificial baits are brightly colored and shiny.
Whether you are using fake or real bait, color always needs to be considered. Since salmon tend to be deep in the water, stick with colors like blue, green, purple or UV so that the salmon can see the bait in darker depths.
Techniques for Live Bait/Artificial Bait
The most common technique used for fishing with live bait/lures is called trolling. Trolling consists of fishing while constantly moving, preferably in a boat. Don’t stay in one place for too long or let your bait stop moving. While trolling, fishermen often use weights or divers for the bait to reach a certain depth. In the case of salmon, fishing usually takes place towards the bottom of the water. Since salmon tend to always be moving, allowing your bait to move slowly will attract the fish. Try to match the movements of the salmon. If your bait is live, cast the bait ahead of salmon so that the smell can drift down to your target and attract the fish.
That’s it! Take your time, go with the flow, and keep slowly moving. You will have a catch in no time!
