Salt Water Fishing Techniques
Successful Saltwater Angling Depends on Using Good Methods
Jul 20, 2009
Success in saltwater fishing depends a great deal on how bait is presented to a target fish species and the proper deployment of terminal tackle. Fish are attracted to the bait and once hooked, the tackle needs to hold together long enough for the fish to be landed. Here are few hints to help catch more fish.
Saltwater Trolling Techniques and Downriggers
Trolling is a primary fishing method for salmon and often halibut from a boat. Since target species are found in deeper waters, the use of a downrigger is recommended. There are rods designed and labeled specifically for use with downriggers. The best of the lot will be around 213 to 274 centimeters (7 to 9 feet) in length and be equipped with a level wind reel. The reel needs to hold at least 228 meters (250 yards) of 11.3 kilogram (25 pound) test line.
Downriggers offer many advantages to fishers. A lighter rod can be used because the trolling weight is eliminated. Depth of bait can be controlled exactly and bait can be placed at depths that can’t be attained with a trolling weight. Lines can also be stacked on a downrigger, allowing multiple rods to be fished from each lead line.
Using Solid Hand-Tied Leaders
Many anglers are familiar with and use a two-hook leader to fish for salmon and halibut. This leaders are commonly available a tackle shops. One fishing technique that will greatly improve the number of fish landed after being hooked is to learn how to hand tie a leader.
Learning to prepare and tie leaders allows an angler the opportunity to use premium hooks and leader material that will insure consistent performance. Hand tying leaders can actually save a little money as well.
Leaders come in two varieties, slip and solid tied. In a slip tie leader, slipping the forward hook on the leader can change the distance between the two hooks. The problem with a slip leader is that if a fish breaks the trailing hook, the forward hook will slide off the line. Solid tied leaders avoid this problem because the distance between hooks is fixed. The leader material can be doubled between the leading and trailing hook to make a solid leader even more reliable.
Fishing with Plug Cut Herring
A popular saltwater fishing technique employed in the Northwest United States and Alaska is the use of plug cut herring as trolling bait. Plug cut herring consistently fish well compared to whole bait. Halibut, Chinook and Silver salmon all fall for this method.
An angled cut is made to remove the head of a whole herring. This angle makes the herring move erratically through the water and look like a crippled or wounded baitfish. Cutting open the herring releases blood and oil found in the bait, increasing its fish attracting scent in the water. Predatory fish respond to the sight, sound and smell that plug cut herring provides as bait.
The angle of the cut to the herring, trolling speed of the boat and current speed all make a difference in how a plug cut bait rolls while being fished. One way to reduce the number of variables is to use a cutting box that looks a lot like a miniature miter box. One example available for purchase is the Gilly Killer Kutter that retails for $18.
The combination of using a downrigger, hand tied leader, and plug cut bait will improve landings. Try one or all of these techniques on the next fishing trip.
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