Salmon fishing with lures is about as much fun as you can have on the water. Pacific and Atlantic Salmon have a propensity to strike lures under the right conditions. When the bite is hot, it won’t take long to fill your limit!
Lures work in both freshwater and saltwater environments. The styles and types of lures aren’t complicated but it’s important to understand Salmon behavior to catch them. Knowing where to find them and how they act under different conditions is a major driver of success.
In this article, I’ll cover what you need to know about Salmon fishing lures. From understanding the fish’s behavior to the best tools out there… Read on to discover all you need to know about the most effective lures for Salmon fishing around the world.
Types of Salmon and Their Behaviors
Before we jump into the best lures for Salmon, it’s a good idea to get familiar with the different varieties. The Pacific Ocean is home to five different types of Salmon and the Atlantic has one primary species. A few other types exist around the globe but the following are the most common and popular game fish to target.
Chinook Salmon
Also called “King” Salmon, this species can reach enormous sizes and are very powerful fish. You’ll know when you’ve hooked a King because it will dive deep and pull hard. They live from Central California to Alaska in their native range, and also in South America. I’ve caught these fish in Alaska, Oregon, and Patagonia (Chile), and they’re an exceptional species to pursue.
Coho Salmon
Some anglers call these fish “Silver” Salmon and, like Chinook, the Coho is a great fighting fish. They’re quick to strike lures and flies, and you can even catch them on surface lures at times. I’ve had Coho make big jumps and runs, especially in tidewater or fresh in a river system.
Sockeye Salmon
Unlike most other Salmon, Sockeye largely feed on plankton, insects, and other smaller food sources. They’re the best-tasting Salmon in my opinion and also the least likely to strike a lure. That said, you can trick some onto your lures with the right technique. Sockeye runs are often large and it’s a major event across much of Alaska and British Columbia.
Chum Salmon
Chum are sometimes called “Dog” Salmon and they’re underappreciated in my opinion. A Chum in saltwater, tidewater, or immediately out of the ocean and into freshwater is a seriously hard-fighting fish. They begin to deteriorate within a few days of entering freshwater, however, and become less exciting as they move closer to their spawn and post-spawn cycles.
Pink Salmon
If you eat canned Salmon, you’ve likely tasted a Pink Salmon. They have big runs every 3 years, are fun to catch, and they love lures. Pink Salmon are smaller than the other Pacific varieties but they tend to run in large numbers. Like all Pacific Salmon, they make a single spawning run into freshwater and perish after spawning.
Atlantic Salmon
These Salmon have a name that coincides with their range. They’re unique in that they spawn in freshwater multiple times. Depending on the river or situation, they may spawn each year for 3 or 4 consecutive years. Atlantic Salmon are a coveted game fish and they offer exceptional fighting power. They’re also aggressive, chasing both lures and flies regularly.
The Best Lures for Salmon Fishing
Now you have an idea of what to target, let’s get into the reason you’re reading this article! Try any of the following options and you’ll have a chance at catching a Salmon. The key is to find the right depth and locations, as Salmon move frequently and hold in specific types of water.
They school around food sources in the ocean and hold in deep pools and slack water in rivers. When running, you’ll find them along main river currents as they follow these to navigate into spawning grounds.
Flashy Spoons
Visibility is the key to catching Salmon and I’ve done well with spoons in most environments. The biggest advantages to spoons are their flashy action, fast sink rates, and versatility. You can troll them in a saltwater bay, cast and retrieve in a river pool, or back troll with a boat in a river. Back trolling keeps your lure in the zone, agitating until a fish strikes and it’s just a fantastic way to catch fish! I love spoons with a touch of pink or chartreuse for all Salmon species.
Jigs
You can catch anything on a jig, and Salmon are no exception. Look for colorful jigs that combine white with pink, purple, or chartreuse. They’re especially effective when the bite is slow but you know the fish are sitting in a deep pool. Get in their face and stay in the zone until one strikes. Jigs are also great at targeting schools of Salmon in a saltwater bay.
Spinners
It’s all about action and visibility when targeting Salmon, especially in turbulent waters. Therefore, you can fish spinners in all the same styles as a spoon – and they work really well. The rotating blade can really work as a strike trigger on difficult fish. Make sure to choose a model with a stout hook that won’t flex or bend when you hook a big Salmon.
Kwikfish
These are absolutely deadly when back-trolled over big Salmon. I love them for Kings but they’ll catch just about any species in rivers or ocean bays. The heavy wobble motion is very attractive and fresh fish strike hard. This lure is especially great for bigger Chinook and Coho. The Kwikfish brand falls under the Rapala suite of lures. Many other similar shapes and brands also exist and work with similar results.
Flies
Salmon are apt to eat a well-presented fly. Swinging big spey-style flies can catch many Chinook, while Coho love fleshy leeches and gurglers. They’re most receptive to swung flies within a week or so of leaving saltwater. Drifting flesh flies and eggs becomes more effective as the fish get closer to spawning and are less active.
Top Techniques for Salmon Lure Fishing
The beauty of Salmon fishing is that it’s not overly complicated. The biggest challenge involves reading water and finding the fish. If you can solve that equation, catching them becomes much easier.
Cast and Retrieve
This is my favorite technique when fishing rivers from shore. It’s also a great way to fish from a boat while drifting or running under power as well. Spoons, spinners, and jigs all get the job done with a simple cast-and-retrieve approach. Work through different holding areas in a river and cover ground to find the pools, rocks, and currents that Salmon prefer. It’s especially fun when the fish are visible and you can watch the strike.
Back Trolling Rivers
River currents create an opportunity to work slowly and methodically through the routes traveled by Salmon. Back trolling works under motor power or by rowing a boat to hold against the current. Cast your lure and let it swing below the boat. The current will grab the lure and you can simply troll against the current while hanging your lure in the most likely strike zones. It’s simple yet deadly!
Trolling Saltwater
More traditional trolling methods are great in saltwater environments. Troll with flashers and downriggers while using fish finders to find schools of Salmon. Free trolling with lures is also great if a school is feeding and working a reliable area. Crossing back and forth where a river meets the ocean is an effective approach.
Bouncing the Bottom
Jigs work well for bottom bouncing but many anglers use weights with a corky or egg sack to work the bottom in this manner. It’s not exactly a lure but it’s still a great method of fishing. Rig a weight with a corky to float right off the bottom and add another hook for bait, if you want.
Snagging Techniques
It’s worth noting that you can also use lures for snagging Salmon. In places where anglers fish over runs in search of limits for the freezer, snagging is the preferred technique. Sockeye Salmon are an especially popular target using this method. You can snag them with spoons and other heavy lures that will scrape along the bottom. Otherwise, snagging rigs use a treble hook and a heavy weight pulled along the bottom of a river.
Salmon Fishing Lures: FAQs
Fill Your Freezer with Salmon!
With a handful of your favorite lures, catching Salmon is a breeze. Timing is everything with this species, though, so it pays to monitor their runs and focus efforts when plenty of fish are present. There will be slow days but showing up until the bite really kicks off is well worth the effort. There are few fish that offer such a wonderful combination of sport and table fare as Salmon. Get out there and put these lures to work!
What fishing lures are you using to catch Salmon? We’d love to hear about your favorite tackle and techniques. Reach out in the comments below!
