Salmon fishing tips

Might be a dumb question but how do you fish for salmon? I've never done it and I'm not sure where to start. Is trolling a must or can I get it done with a cast and retrieve? All the lures I see look like they're just super flashy am I trying to imitate bait fish or just piss them off with flashy lures till they bite the hook? Lure recommendations? I would like to be able to fish BSS4 maybe not compete to win but just fish for fun.
Any advice would be appreciated
Thanks
-Jason

This is a good can of worms to open.  I'll stick to the BSS4 question.  Many successful kokanee anglers use a flasher followed by a kokanee bug or small spoon or mini hoochie and often tipped with a piece corn.  Shoe peg corn to be specific, and very specific.  This whole rig is trolled at a depth just above the schools of kokanee/landlocked king salmon.  This is accomplished either with lead core or a down rigger used in conjunction with a fishfinder.

For a much much more detailed version, do a site search for kokanee and last year there were several really great articles/posts on this subject.

Ocean salmon and river salmon are 2 different issues and techniques.


Jim

here's some more info:

Ricci's great Kokanee 101
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=36642.0

lure and colors
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=45092.0

Kokanee, king, and coho tactics are similair and one approach can often be effective for all three species. (Of which Berry has 2, king/koke) I plan on doing a Kokanee basics writeup soon which may help u too. This link gives some decent info that may help you start gathering gear... You don't NEED a downrigger until summer, but I do reccomend getting one or at least setting up with lead core so you can still reach them past may.
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=39695.0

Ocean salmon fishing includes two main methods:  trolling and mooching.  I prefer to troll, and I'd say the vast majority of salmon caught off the coast of California are caught on the troll.  There are many combos of lures and flashers or dodgers that can be fished behind sinker releases, DeepSix (my preferrance), banana weights, downrigger...etc., but my favorite is an anchovy on a mooching 'slip' rig about 2-3' behind a Herring Dodger which is about 3' behind the DeepSix.

Hooking and fighting a salmon is a huge challenge, but landing one may be the liveliest part of the exchange!  Your gear needs to be able to withstand very strong runs and head shakes, and the big landing net is crucial, IMO.

There's lots more good info on this site.

Best of luck.