Heads up

This is posted frequently but a friendly reminder for the new folks getting into salmon fishing. We are starting to see more and more silver salmon here in the Monterey bay. Of course these are not legal for take. Familiarize yourself with the differences between a King and Silver salmon. That is all. Carry on !

https://fishthenush.com/types-of-salmon-how-to-tell-the-difference/#:~:text=Types%20of%20Salmon%3A%20How%20to%20Tell%20Kings%20and,...%206%20Caudal%20Peduncle.%20...%207%20Fight.%20

Good message, Bulldog.   

Good message, Bulldog.   

Are silvers ever legal for take up your way Eric ?

I'm always surprised at this myself.  The first time I heard that you can tell a Coho from a King by the gums I was looking at some DFG flier and being the first time I've seen salmon drawings, I swore they were showing a picture of two salmon with black gums. 

I couldn't tell the difference at all until I caught one, but then it was obvious with the spots and the tails that I had caught a King.

Sure hope to catch one this year 

I'm always surprised at this myself.  The first time I heard that you can tell a Coho from a King by the gums I was looking at some DFG flier and being the first time I've seen salmon drawings, I swore they were showing a picture of two salmon with black gums. 

I couldn't tell the difference at all until I caught one, but then it was obvious with the spots and the tails that I had caught a King.

Sure hope to catch one this year 

This was posted on another site.

"Ronnie my buddy got a silver with black gums. He got a ticket and won in court because dfw says the gums are the determining feature. Biologist at the dock IDed as coho."

So looking for spots on the kings is also another great identifier besides the gums.

Listening to the chatter on the radio today and last Friday, I heard that a few silvers were caught near Moss Landing. The coho seem to be down about 40-60', while the kings are being caught at 200+ right now. Of course, that might change, but it's probably worthwhile to monitor Ch 11 if you are fishing for salmon in the Monterey Bay. The boaters seem to be pretty good about sharing info, especially wrt depth...