Salmon trolling from the Revolution

Let me preface this by saying I've been fishing for salmon all my life, so I'm looking for advice on this next piece as it pertains to kayak fishing aspect of things.   So, when trolling from a kayak (as opposed to a nice dry boat where I would use electric downriggers) is it easier to use 2.5# lead balls, or a deepsix diver, or....?   Planning to get salmon this coming season, trolling is a more practical way to cover ground.   Thanks for the help.

Most guys use a diver or downrigger

Hey John - really comes down to personal preference.  Alot of guys use divers, some downriggers, and some use sinker releases.  I troll from a Hobie and usually use a sinker release, never use more than a 1 lb ball.  Sometimes the DR guys can get to them if they're real deep, but most times the divers or sinker releases are good.  If they're real deep you can always switch to mooching or jigging.    There are alot of salmon fanatics on this site so keep an eye out for reports and hookups when the bite turns on.  In particular, the tourneys at Shelter Cove in May and Albion in August are often good for salmon. Good luck and post up some pics of chrome.

Hey John - really comes down to personal preference.  Alot of guys use divers, some downriggers, and some use sinker releases.  I troll from a Hobie and usually use a sinker release, never use more than a 1 lb ball.  Sometimes the DR guys can get to them if they're real deep, but most times the divers or sinker releases are good.  If they're real deep you can always switch to mooching or jigging.    There are alot of salmon fanatics on this site so keep an eye out for reports and hookups when the bite turns on.  In particular, the tourneys at Shelter Cove in May and Albion in August are often good for salmon. Good luck and post up some pics of chrome.

+2 what The Master Salmon Slayer Bird said. I have Hobie revo too and use a DR myself. Love it. When the fish hits, it's all fish and no weight. That's just me tho. If I was you, I would try a Diver or lead first and see what you like best. Everyone likes a different method.

You are fishing from a Revo? Any way you troll will be easier than a man/paddle yak.

Me...banana weight....bait. That's it.

If they're up top, a double deep six would work (~60' or less). The deepest that I've used one is about 80-90' but it took a lot of pulls. There are some awesome DR setups on nwka if you wanted to go that route.

Deep six works great.  The 2nd biggest double deep six is the goto for me.  I have used a deep six diver up to fish that I was marking at 120ft and was successful.  I may post some reports next month after I  get a few.

I'm in a Cove trance.   

Double, regular or mini DeepSix or 8 oz. banana weight.  Can't wait.   

One of the nice things about trolling from a kayak is that we can troll very slow, like 1 mph.  This allows your bait to get pretty deep with an 8oz banana weight. 

Can't wait!

Josh

  

Goddam I can't wait...

I don't have much to add that others haven't mentioned, but here are a few tidbits:

- Fish Flash and Kone Zone style spinning flashers are awesome, since they barely add any drag. Use these with a lure (apex or spoon) or a spinning bait, since they don't really impart any action to your offering.

- Lead is expensive and toxic. Try to use a DR or diver if possible. (I've already dropped my share of lead on the ocean floor...)

- Be prepared to take good care of your catch. You could be holding $200+ worth of fresh, wild salmon in your lap. Be prepared to treat it with some respect. I like to bring a "kill bag" with ice on the water, and always have a cooler of ice waiting in the car. NEVER let a salmon marinate in slimy ice melt in the bottom of a cooler.

- BIG ass net. The one I used the last few years wasn't big enough. This year I have a 34" Frabill that should get the job done.

Here's a pic of a rig that's worked well for me. I've switched from the RSK to a Krippled Anchovy with two 6/0 Octopus hooks. I really like the action of these KA, and they seem to look good over a wide range of speeds, which is key. The pic of a rigged KA is not mine (so hold the barbed hook comments). It does show the proper rigging.

Noob question... are octopus hooks considered "circle hooks?"  Or are there specific octopus circle hooks?

Noob question... are octopus hooks considered "circle hooks?"  Or are there specific octopus circle hooks?

No and you wouldn't use circle hooks for trolling anyways.  Circle hooks are required when mooching south of Horse mountain.  The circle hooks must be less that 5" apart from bottom of the top hook to the bottom of the second hook and the point should do a 90 degree bend toward the shank