shallow water mooching

I'm going to Humboldt Bay to mooch me up a salmon. How should I rig up? I'm thinking there will be live bait to use, but how do I keep the bait from falling off of the barbless hook?
Any tips are appreciated.

I would put an uncook corn kernel on the hook after rigged the live bait.

I would put an uncook corn kernel on the hook after rigged the live bait.

 excellent reply never thought of that

I would put an uncook corn kernel on the hook after rigged the live bait.

^^ That's actual a good idea.

If you're using a mooching rig with 2 hooks, I'd put 1 through the nose and 1 through behind/under the dorsal fin. hopefully that reduces the chances of the hook coming out

Throught the top lip only, then in the butthole and slide it so the shanks parallel with the body. But for salmon I believe having a dead bait rigged the same and making it spin while moving is more important, it's a bait and flasher in one. That's how I've caught 8 out of my last 10 salmon. 4 ft leader 20lb floro with 5/0 octopus hooks, smaller hooks work as well but the sardines have been big.

2oz to 8oz depending on drift and depth. I'd gladly join you when you're here, if you want.

I would put an uncook corn kernel on the hook after rigged the live bait.

If you're using a mooching rig with 2 hooks, I'd put 1 through the nose and 1 through behind/under the dorsal fin. hopefully that reduces the chances of the hook coming out

I hooked, fought, and farmed a 25# salmon in Humboldt bay a few hours ago with this setup. 5oz banana but adjust for the particular current at the time you are fishing.

You WANT to fish with MATT, dude a stud!!

bait buttons

Do bait buttons work on barbless hooks?

I havnt had any issues losing live bait on barbless hooks, but like Matt said fresh dead works fine

Push the circle hook all the way through, the eye of the hook will keep it from coming off, and the whole hook is exposed. I have heard of this, I do it on dead bait. Might work for ya.

Push the circle hook all the way through, the eye of the hook will keep it from coming off, and the whole hook is exposed. I have heard of this, I do it on dead bait. Might work for ya.

Circle hooks aren't required for mooching this far north.  You are still free to use them, just not required.

Thank you all so much for the info!
I learned a couple of things.

A piece of rubber band will also work if you don't have bait buttons.