Salmon Fishing

Is there anywhere on this site, or on the internet for that matter, that covers the best way to troll for salmon. ie. rig setup (preferably with pictures (I'm simple sometimes)), good depth/water temp etc? I've looked and found some things that either didn't explain things very well or didn't give specifics.

Thanks! I apologize, I'm still learning saltwater fishing.

Dave

There's tons of stuff on this site. Try the search feature. You could also try the fish sniffer or bassjack.com

scroll down a little and you will see a box that is titled "articles"

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?page=7

scroll down a little and you will see a box that is titled "articles"

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?page=7

Lol. You rock. Like I said in my original post: I'm simple sometimes! Thanks so much!

Also, LoletaEric has posted some videos on YouTube of his rigs.  Great for those that are visual learners!

Dave, that is a difficult question in that there are so many variables in salmon fishing. Here are a couple things that may help. Rule number one. Fish where the fish are. If they are in Ft Bragg and not off the San Mateo coast then no matter how knowledgeable you are or how good your techniques are, you will not catch fishing where they are not. You will need a network of info you trust to make the distant car drives to get you over fish. Rule two. Find right depth. Not always easy but figure your depth trolling limit. Maybe a 100 feet. Beyond that try mooching. Rule three. Work with the water conditions. Clear water? Maybe an Apex, spoon, single bait. Dark water? Big flashers with a hoochie or bait trailing. Set flasher speed by watching movement a few feet below the surface while moving. Fishy looking action? Lively not sluggish. Rule four. Put in time and accept that a lot of luck is needed for salmon unless they are thick below the boat.

I like Leeroys  article http://www.leeroysramblings.com/Downrigger_salmontrolling.html

On the coastside site there are good articles on trolling and mooching.

This is a setup that works well. I use about 2-3 feet between the Double Deep 6 and the flasher, then 2-3 feet between the flasher and Rotary Salmon Killer (RSK) or Franco Bait Rotator (FBR). Since the spinning style flasher doesn't wobble around at all, you need a bait holder that gives the bait a spinning/rolling action.

Also, if you feel like doing some more reading about salmon fishing, check out this site:

http://www.salmonuniversity.com

It's geared more toward fishing in the pacific northwest, but the chinook ( or "blackmouth") techniques they describe will work down here, too.

Rule four. Put in time and accept that a lot of luck is needed for salmon unless they are thick below the boat.

Maybe the most important rule -in my opinion.  Unless you are very lucky, it takes days and miles to get that first fish to the boat.  Once you do get it to the boat…..be ready with your net, and make sure it is a big net.

Good luck to you.  Once you get one on the yak, it makes all that hard work worth it and may give you Salmon Fever…..

Aaron

Thanks so much guys! Y'all have been a great help. Great resources!