Kayak Salmon Fishing 101 ?

This requires Unreasonable conviction.   At least here in the Monterey Bay.

Amen to that! The distances can be large for a kayak (or even for a kayak* with a sail). There's a reason why there are a fair number of motorized kayaks around these parts...

This requires Unreasonable conviction.   At least here in the Monterey Bay.

Amen to that! The distances can be large for a kayak (or even for a kayak* with a sail). There's a reason why there are a fair number of motorized kayaks around these parts...

We peddle/sailed for 18 miles at ML for two huge nothing.

This requires Unreasonable conviction.   At least here in the Monterey Bay.

Amen to that! The distances can be large for a kayak (or even for a kayak* with a sail). There's a reason why there are a fair number of motorized kayaks around these parts...

We peddle/sailed for 18 miles at ML for two huge nothing.

That's some serious mileage!

Absolutely serious miles, especially without a motor.  That needs to be followed with a good nap 

Talked to my partner this morning saying I slept like a dead log last night. He says me too 
The sea was the roughess we've seen when the fan turned on.

On the way in it was quite a scene like Aquaman calling all his to come. Just like in the movies. There was at least 3-4 whales, schools of sea lions, pelicans and all sorts of other birds diving and feasting on tons of anchovies. We did stop to watch the action and snagged up some chovies to eat before heading in.

If you fish shallow and too fast you will mostly catch coho.  If you want big kings, slow and low on the bottom does the trick.  8-12oz minimum on weight.  Presentation matters when the bite isn’t wide open.  Keep it simple and know where your bait is in the water column helps alot.  This is done with a dialed in FF where you see your line/bait on the screen and sometimes you can see the salmon go after the bait on the screen.  Short Bus spreader with 10-14” leader for the weight and a short bus flasher or no flasher if its shallow and clear.  If bait is around like anchovies, herring or sardines, sabiki or castnet fresh bait to use dead or alive.  Always check their bellies to see what they are eating because you will learn their eating patterns for future trips and seasons.  A big net is a key tool.  I dont know how many times I have seen a kayaker or NCKA member have an insufficient net for landing a good sized salmon.  Slack tide tends to be primetime, especially high tides.  Look for 53°F water.  Look for birds to find bait to find fish.  Specifically murries or diving pelicans.  Fish along current lines where water color changes.  4-5ft leader for your hooks.  4/0-5/0 Owner No Escape Herring hooks tend to be my go to hooks.  25-30lb leader line.  Maxima is my go to. Troll at 1.8-2.5mph most of the time, but occasionally2.5-3.5mph may be needed to encourage a bite.  Slow down and speed up or make a small turn will sometimes create a bite. 

*I used incomplete sentences to keep it short and to the point

If you fish shallow and too fast you will mostly catch coho.  If you want big kings…

That’s a whole book on salmon fishing in one paragraph. Are you rigging your dead baits choked herring style, Rob?

If you fish shallow and too fast you will mostly catch coho.  If you want big kings, slow and low on the bottom does the trick.  8-12oz minimum on weight.  Presentation matters when the bite isn’t wide open.  Keep it simple and know where your bait is in the water column helps alot.  This is done with a dialed in FF where you see your line/bait on the screen and sometimes you can see the salmon go after the bait on the screen.  Short Bus spreader with 10-14” leader for the weight and a short bus flasher or no flasher if its shallow and clear.  If bait is around like anchovies, herring or sardines, sabiki or castnet fresh bait to use dead or alive.  Always check their bellies to see what they are eating because you will learn their eating patterns for future trips and seasons.  A big net is a key tool.  I dont know how many times I have seen a kayaker or NCKA member have an insufficient net for landing a good sized salmon.  Slack tide tends to be primetime, especially high tides.  Look for 53°F water.  Look for birds to find bait to find fish.  Specifically murries or diving pelicans.  Fish along current lines where water color changes.  4-5ft leader for your hooks.  4/0-5/0 Owner No Escape Herring hooks tend to be my go to hooks.  25-30lb leader line.  Maxima is my go to. Troll at 1.8-2.5mph most of the time, but occasionally2.5-3.5mph may be needed to encourage a bite.  Slow down and speed up or make a small turn will sometimes create a bite. 

*I used incomplete sentences to keep it short and to the point

Next do mooching!

How many years of knowledge were just summarized here jeezy petes..

THANKS FOR THE TIPS!

My favorite hooks are the mutu circle hooks or just big gamatzu 4/0 pinched as the trailing hook. If I have a fish on the circle hook my confidence goes way up and I can relax a bit.

If you fish shallow and too fast you will mostly catch coho.  If you want big kings, slow and low on the bottom does the trick.  8-12oz minimum on weight.  Presentation matters when the bite isn’t wide open.  Keep it simple and know where your bait is in the water column helps alot.  This is done with a dialed in FF where you see your line/bait on the screen and sometimes you can see the salmon go after the bait on the screen.  Short Bus spreader with 10-14” leader for the weight and a short bus flasher or no flasher if its shallow and clear.  If bait is around like anchovies, herring or sardines, sabiki or castnet fresh bait to use dead or alive.  Always check their bellies to see what they are eating because you will learn their eating patterns for future trips and seasons.  A big net is a key tool.  I dont know how many times I have seen a kayaker or NCKA member have an insufficient net for landing a good sized salmon.  Slack tide tends to be primetime, especially high tides.  Look for 53°F water.  Look for birds to find bait to find fish.  Specifically murries or diving pelicans.  Fish along current lines where water color changes.  4-5ft leader for your hooks.  4/0-5/0 Owner No Escape Herring hooks tend to be my go to hooks.  25-30lb leader line.  Maxima is my go to. Troll at 1.8-2.5mph most of the time, but occasionally2.5-3.5mph may be needed to encourage a bite.  Slow down and speed up or make a small turn will sometimes create a bite. 

*I used incomplete sentences to keep it short and to the point

If you fish shallow and too fast you will mostly catch coho.  If you want big kings, slow and low on the bottom does the trick.  8-12oz minimum on weight.  Presentation matters when the bite isn’t wide open.  Keep it simple and know where your bait is in the water column helps alot.  This is done with a dialed in FF where you see your line/bait on the screen and sometimes you can see the salmon go after the bait on the screen.  Short Bus spreader with 10-14” leader for the weight and a short bus flasher or no flasher if its shallow and clear.  If bait is around like anchovies, herring or sardines, sabiki or castnet fresh bait to use dead or alive.  Always check their bellies to see what they are eating because you will learn their eating patterns for future trips and seasons.  A big net is a key tool.  I dont know how many times I have seen a kayaker or NCKA member have an insufficient net for landing a good sized salmon.  Slack tide tends to be primetime, especially high tides.  Look for 53°F water.  Look for birds to find bait to find fish.  Specifically murries or diving pelicans.  Fish along current lines where water color changes.  4-5ft leader for your hooks.  4/0-5/0 Owner No Escape Herring hooks tend to be my go to hooks.  25-30lb leader line.  Maxima is my go to. Troll at 1.8-2.5mph most of the time, but occasionally2.5-3.5mph may be needed to encourage a bite.  Slow down and speed up or make a small turn will sometimes create a bite. 

*I used incomplete sentences to keep it short and to the point

Next do mooching!

Love it!