Want to catch more salmon?  Who doesn't?  While salmon fishing can be downright difficult at times, by following these 10 steps, you can greatly your salmon fishing success rate.  You will find that the secret to success actually begins at the end of the last season as you prepare, rebuild and restore your tackle and research new methods, techniques, biology and ecology, and new or old locations using current technologies.  Next, preparation in season become important as you daily inspect and perfect your tackle and bait.  Also you will pay attention to details, journal your findings, and use what nature has to offer to your advantage.  By following these 10 steps you are certain to catch more salmon.

Preseason:

1. Prepare tackle:

The first step toward catching more salmon is to prepare your tackle for the season. This could actually begin at the end of the previous season. First, start with the rods and reels. Clean the rods with a mild detergent and inspect for any kind of damage. There is nothing worse than having that fish of a lifetime almost to the boat when all of the sudden, “SNAP” is the sound of the rod breaking and your prize swimming away. Also, remove the reel from the rod and remove the line. This sounds a bit harsh, but again, I want to ensure that there are no unseen defects or abrasions that would allow that trophy to break off before seeing the net.

Next, if you are comfortable and somewhat mechanically inclined, disassemble the reel, clean all of the accumulation of bait juice, salt, sand and debris and re-grease the bearings. Inspect the drag disk and replace if worn. If all of those parts are intimidating, or if you tend to have extra parts when you disassemble something, I recommend taking your reels to a tackle repair shop for overhaul.

 I want everything to be absolutely as perfect as it can be to eliminate as many variables as possible when it come to trophy salmon fishing. When the reel is reassembled, re-spool the reel with quality line of appropriate strength. For the larger fish, like king salmon, I prefer the braided lines because you get more bang for your buck. They are much thinner, thus less water resistance, and much stronger than monofilament.

Finally, take some time and clean and inspect the terminal tackle. If you are using plugs, clean with a mildly abrasive detergent, like Soft Scrub. Inspect all swivels and replace at the first indication of corrosion or crack. Replace all hooks at the first sign of wear. For the bait hooks, I will replace/retie all bait rigs every year. I use a double hook setup, using the Nush Knot, (bait loop on top hook). Because we are limited to single hook where I fish, I will cut the upper hook at the first bend. This is also a great time to restock the fly boxes and beads for the up and coming season.

2. Research:

During the off season, take some time and learn as much as you possibly can about salmon biology and stream ecology. This will go to great lengths in helping you to put your presentation in the right spot. I always chuckle when I see folks casting as far as they can for sockeye, when in reality, the fish are swimming right behind them! Likewise, spend time on forums asking questions and listening to what folks have to say regarding effective techniques and tackle. Devoting time to research helps to prevent cabin fever and gives you great ideas to help you increase your salmon fishing success rate.

3. Study Maps:

One of the greatest (or maybe the worst) inventions is Google Earth! This is a great way to get a bird’s eye view of the future fishing grounds. Depending on the resolution of the satellite images, you can zoom in and see gravel bars, deep channels, and other structure that may not be visible from the surface. You can also find remote lakes and streams that may not be as heavily fished or travelled. You may even find that there is a phenomenal hole just on the opposite side of the river from where you normally fish.

In Season:

4. Daily tackle preparation

The first thing to do each and every day to increase your success at catching salmon is to prepare the tackle. That is, inspect the main line for any kind of abrasion or fraying. Make sure the reel is seated securely. Inspect the knots for any indication of damage or slippage. Ensure that the hooks are as sharp as they can be (many hooks are dull right out of the box!). Once again, time spent in preparation will pay great dividends when it comes to salmon fishing.

5. Choosing the right rod

Believe it or not, the rod will make a substantial difference in how your tackle works in the water. There are rods that are specifically designed for back-bouncing, for back trolling, and for casting. For example, a softer tipped rod will slow the action of a Kwikfish or Flatfish, whereas a stiffer rod will speed the action up. Also, pay attention to the weight rating on a rod when determining what to purchase or take. If fishing in faster water, or for bigger fish, you will want a heavier rod.

6. Choose the right colors

A frequently asked question is, “What’s the hot color?” Fish most definitely see color and respond differently to different colors. By understanding the wavelengths of different colors, you will have a better understanding of how well colors are seen in different types of water conditions. For example, for darker/dirtier water, you want to use darker colors. On those clear water days, generally speaking I like to stick to the lighter colors. Even things like cloudy versus bright sunshine can change the desired color for your lures.

7. Tune the plug

The plug tune can make or break plug fishermen. Getting the plug to swim right will make all the difference in the world on your success rate. There are many, many variables to tuning a plug that are often overlooked. Generally speaking, in faster water, you want a slower action on the plug. Conversely, in slower water, you want a faster action. But in both cases, you want a uniform and predictable action. To start with, twist the eye of the plug in or out to get the plug to swim straight. Once this is complete, you can change the speed of the action by using a larger hook or adding/removing a bead chain between the hook and the plug and so on. If you use a sardine wrap, again the size and shape of the wrap will change the tune on the plug. So, after applying the wrap, be sure to test the tune before deploying the lure. Best advice here is to simply experiment until you find the right combination.  Once you get the plugs dialed in, your salmon fishing will turn into salmon catching.

8. Pay attention to details

The best, most successful fishermen are the ones who are able to pay attention to details. What lures, colors,  and sizes work in what conditions? Which leader length works best? What is the productive depth? What is the best water temperature? What is the best visibility? What is the most productive boat speed? One of the best ways to answer these questions is to keep a journal with what lure or bait worked under what conditions and at what depth. After a very short time, you will soon start to see a trend and be able to change your tackle according to the present conditions, thus increasing your salmon fishing success.

9. Bait cure

The methods for curing bait are about as diverse as the colors on your favorite lure. Even with the same recipe, there are different techniques. Here are some pointers to help you develop the “perfect” cure. Keep in mind that a salmon’s sense of smell is 100’s of times if not 1,000’s of times more powerful than human’s. So a little bit of scent goes a long ways. Also, this is the time that I am a strong advocate of using latex gloves. Again, as a general rule, if you use a commercial bait cure, follow the directions. Once you get that working correctly, then start to experiment with the recipe and the method until you get the “perfect” recipe. A major, critical step in curing the “perfect” bait begins right after you “bonk” the fish. As I have already preached, preparation is the key to success. The best bait cure begins just before brining that fish into the boat or onto shore. It is vital to take a moment and “bleed” the fish. This will result in much better table fare, and also way more productive bait. Next, keep the fish cool and remove the eggs as soon as practical, putting them on ice until you can begin the curing process. The key to success in bait cure is to stand out in a crowd without scaring the fish away. The only way to do that is to keep your recipe to yourself!

10. Don't pass fish to get to fish:

Finally, keep in mind that if your boat is on step, your bait is not in the water. Thus, you cannot catch anything unless you have your tackle in front of the fish. Make a plan and, for the most part, stick with it. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of people who chase down that “cell phone” fish after receiving a report from a friend or associate. Consider how many fish you are passing as you are making that 30 minute run up or down stream! Sure, there are reports and times that are hard to pass up, but for the most part, consciously plan your fishing trip and fish your plan.

There you have it, the secrets of the gods, or was that guides.  By following these 10 steps, you will soon find yourself catching more and more fish.  Good luck.