trolling or mooching (for salmon)

[Mooch]

Which do you prefer and why? What set up do you use for each method?

I only troll when ocean conditions are calm (or if the fish are within 30 feet of water). I troll with a pink lady diver, flashers and a rainbow colored apex. This year, I plan to experiment trolling bigger crankbaits (anchovy pattern) and also a Krocodile spoon.

I prefer mooching or "trooching" in and around the baitballs. Having to "feel" the bite really keeps me in the game. There's nothing like feeling the weight of the fish come on while you have the rod in your hand   . I also plan to fly-line at Linda Mar this year (since it's such a shallow bite) - I'm just hoping that the bite will be epic!

[Potato_River]

Joel,

Mooching.  
Why?  Because I don't like to paddle and I'd rather fight a fish on a lighter rod.

Hope to get out on the water with you guys one of these day.  I'm getting jealous reading all those reports.

Stuart

[kickfish]

Joel,

Typically early season all the boats troll.  1. to cover more water 2. because it is a krill bite.  The fish are more or less scattered.  Something red in color usually works.  Red Crocks, water melon apexs.  But, I have gotten them on Green and Blue Crocks.  Also, at this time of year.

After, the anchovies come in.  That is when everyone starts mooching.

I have also, seen where the Salmon what the bait moving.  This is when your motor mooching or yo yoing you bait works.

I would bring both (trolling and mooching set-up).  I remember that time I only had my trolling set-up at Linda Mar and you guys got (Fred, Stu, Eric, Chuck, Kevin and you) them mooching.

Mooching is defintely more fun.  Harry on the New Seeker always tries to mooch.  But, sometimes ends up trolling because of the conditions.

Ken

[Mooch]

Hope to get out on the water with you guys one of these day. I'm getting jealous reading all those reports.

Stu - we miss your company out there! Fred and Kevin too......well....maybe not Fred....he always makes me feel like an inferior fisherman    just kidding Freddy  

[promethean_spark]

I didn't land any, but I had a bunch of bites and a couple brief hookups.  They almost always hit when I was mooching and paddling around slowly in a stop and go fashion.

IMO, very slow trolling with an inobtrusive trolling rig like a bullet rotator and a ~4oz weight on a release should be the best way to go because you can use J hooks.

I found salmon fishing alot more frustrating than any other kind of fishing.  It really sucks when the hot bite turns out to be a couple miles away, or you have to paddle around all morning to find a bait ball.  That leaves me sitting around being angry at DFG for marginalizing kayakers, and generally not enjoying myself.  This year I'm going to focus on the loopholes that will let me do what I do best, rather than play a game where the deck is stacked against me.

[Kevin]

I caught my first 2 salmon ever mooching at Moss Landing.  After that I don't think I got even a bite mooching.

I mostly trolled at Linda Mar with good success.  I used a flasher/sinker release, an ultra lite (trout) flasher and Apex (Sting King).  Usually used between 8 and 10oz when trolling, but the fish were pretty shallow.



I tried a deep6 diver w/o luck, so I'm sticking with the release.  Easier to gauge depth...

[granitedive]

I mostly troll because I'm impatient and I like the workout of paddling and I don't (didn't!) have a fish finder. Mostly a rotary with a flasher behind a deep six, sometimes the big one. A lot of work, which in my Christian ethic makes me think I'm more likely to catch something... Oh, the thing that made me start trolling a few years ago was the kingfish or herring or whatever - also the reason I like to paddle way out yonder. When the bite's hot you can troll your brother's brassiere and you'll probably hook up. My friend caught one this past summer when his rotary was floating on the surface next to his yak.

[cpyak]

i watched joel catch way more salmon mooching than trolling!  he used a special technique last summer,  but he swore me to secrecy.

[kickfish]

Yeah,

He told me the secret also.  Had some thing to do with sacrificing a virgin and not having sex during the salmon run at Linda Mar.

Ken

[ChuckE]

Ahhhh... you must be talking about Joel's secret sauce -- Liquid Krill

[Hat Trick]

i guess you were not sworn to secrecy.  maybe that product needs a sales rep, that would be a good job for joel.  he needs to work for a tackle or kayak company.
note-my camper shell and kayak rack will be installed today, i will be back on the water soon.

[Mooch]

gentlemen.....joel is an open book...he holds no secrets......

Ken - sex is vital. Getting it is another story  

Uncle Bill...we need more emoticons....work on it will ya...

peace out.

[kickfish]

Joel gets his liquid krill  at Bass Pro Shops.  But, I did not tell you this. And, there is no way it can be traced back to me.

Ken

[promethean_spark]

Liquid krill, isn't that what bugga-ung is more or less?

[ChuckE]

Josh, you nailed it!   You must know some Filipinos in order to know that stinky stuff.  Some entrepreneur is probably buying jars of it at Asian food stores and repackaging for sale to gullible fishermen like Joel.