Kayak Salmon Fishing 101 ?

Can somebody point me to a site-link or other resource for learning how to fish for salmon in the ocean (from a kayak)? I've never fished for salmon in any capacity, and never used a downrigger. I'm solid on ling cod and rockfish (on a kayak) but would like to branch out this season and get some salmon. I'm in Fort Bragg.

Thanks!

James

Moo moo outdoors on YT does a really great job on how video from a kayak.

I'd reach out to LoletaEric for a guided trip out of Shelter Cove. There's some monster salmon caught there every year and Eric's the guy there.

I think a guided trip would be a huge fast-forward on the learning curve vs online reading / youtube / trial and lots of errors, as well as every other method that most of us took too long to master.

I'd reach out to LoletaEric for a guided trip out of Shelter Cove.

A guided trip with Eric would be an awesome way to learn, no doubt -- and I'll look into it -- but Shelter Cove is a 3-hour drive (each way) from home so it becomes a little complicated.

Try the Lost Anchovy as well.

I'd reach out to LoletaEric for a guided trip out of Shelter Cove.

A guided trip with Eric would be an awesome way to learn, no doubt -- and I'll look into it -- but Shelter Cove is a 3-hour drive (each way) from home so it becomes a little complicated.

Only 3 hours?  Lucky!!

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?action=search2

Ok that’s me being sarcastic, but on this site there is a ton of information regarding exactly what you are looking for.

Hiring a guide is always a great idea for leaning a new way to fish.

Look for a hook up thread targeting salmon or post a hook up thread. Go and meet up up with those people and see what they have going on and ask lots of questions. I make it up that way pretty often and would try to make it.

What works for one angler on one kayak may not work for you on your kayak.

Also post questions here. You will get lots of responses and ideas.

I'd reach out to LoletaEric for a guided trip out of Shelter Cove.

A guided trip with Eric would be an awesome way to learn, no doubt -- and I'll look into it -- but Shelter Cove is a 3-hour drive (each way) from home so it becomes a little complicated.

Only 3 hours?  Lucky!!

It's kind of grueling though, being only 36nm apart and taking 3 hours to drive it.  You could do it in well under an hour on a jetski.

Hi James,
Are you paddle or peddle? Either way, 4-6oz banana weight with a cut plug herring, fbr, krippled anchovy/salted anchovy (with a bend so it spins) or watermelon apex has worked well out here. You can experiment with a flasher (red hot spot dodger or a white spinning flasher). Flasher will add drag, so it’s easier if you have a downrigger. I use one occasionally if I’m trying to get down deep. But if they are not too deep (<35ft) then it’s one more thing to get caught up in, and I prefer the banana weight. Check bait every 10-15mins to make sure presentation is good. Look for birds or dolphins to clue you in on where the bait is.

Toughest part is figuring out how far off and deep they are, and for that your best bet is looking for other boats or calling around.

Have fun! It can be very frustrating but it’s very rewarding to land your first salmon. As well as every salmon after that!

Keys to salmon fishing:  forgo other opportunities for easier bites, like rockfish; increase your odds of success however you can, because even well prepared experts get skunked in salmon fishing; become obsessed with the pursuit.

Michael gives good advice - follow what the powerboat fleet is doing, and that includes closely monitoring the radio on the channel that is used by your local powerboat fleet.

Be ready - fish barbless all the time, have a big net, and prepare to be eyed and flipped off by the smartest fish on our coastline.

3 hours is worth it.



Best of luck~

3 hours is worth it.

+1. Had a great trip with Eric at Shelter Cove last year. Many firsts for me ...1st time fishing for salmon, limit, 22lb monster. Results may not be same, but the wealth of info Eric gives is well worth it.

When it's season I happily make the 3 hour drive to the coast. Back-to-back days aren't uncommon either on a hot bite.

It really is addicting. The pinnacle of this sport in northern CA.

Another +1 for LoletaEric. He'll reduce the learning curb.

Can somebody point me to a site-link or other resource for learning how to fish for salmon in the ocean (from a kayak)? I've never fished for salmon in any capacity, and never used a downrigger. I'm solid on ling cod and rockfish (on a kayak) but would like to branch out this season and get some salmon. I'm in Fort Bragg.

Thanks!

James

Train. 

Technique will teach a man to fish for a day. But fitness will feed a man.  Getting to the Salmon and staying in the strike zone  is the key to success.   This requires Unreasonable conviction.   At least here in the Monterey Bay.
Ping me for some video on vessel arrangements. 

   Limits await.   


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Keys to salmon fishing …don’t give up but learn the patterns…have fun with it …including the highs and lows. 😀

Personally I'm hoping for confidence with an 8-10oz banana weight but I look at my scope and don't trust it's down enough.  Such a simple and beautiful setup without all the bling other than mooching...