tutorial how to catch salmon

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

**Late-fall Salmon Fishing Playbook** 🎣

Late fall is prime for big runs, but the water is cooler, light is lower, and fish stack up in current seams. Here’s a practical, field-tested plan to maximize your bite this season.

- **Gear & Setup**
  - River/Bank or boat: go with a **medium-heavy rod** around 7–9 ft paired with a sturdy reel and line in the 20–40 lb class. A fluoro or monofilament leader of 12–24 lb helps with abrasion on rocks and through drift.
  - Rig options: use a **sliding sinker drift rig** for rivers, or a simple downrigging setup in saltwater. When in doubt, keep your setup simple and bomb-proof.
  - Lure & bait choices: classic choices include **roe (salmon eggs)**, cured egg patterns, **spoons**, and **dodger + hoochie** combinations. Have a few bright options in chartreuse, pink, and glow for low-light days.

- **Baits & Lures**
  - *Fresh roe sacs* or cured eggs are reliable in rivers during fall runs. 
  - *Spoons* and *spoon-spreader combos* imitate baitfish and trigger strikes in stained water.
  - *Dodger + hoochie* and spinner blades work great for both rivers and estuary zones.
  - In saltwater, consider *herring patterns* and *trolling spoons* at depth.

- **Techniques by Setting**
  - In rivers: cast across the current seam, then drift with the flow at varying depths (1–6 ft unless fish are deeper). Slow, steady retrieves and occasional short hops can provoke bites.
  - In saltwater: if trolling, run at modest speeds (2–3 mph) with lures around 15–60 ft deep, depending on water temp and bait presence. Use electronics to locate bait balls and bird activity.
  - Timing: cloudier days and post-rain freshets often push more salmon into rivers; look for higher, stained water and active holding spots near bends and pockets.

- **Weather & Late-Fall Tips**
  - Water temps around the upper 40s to low 50s °F keep fish responsive; overcast or drizzly days can improve visibility and bite windows.
  - Shorter daylight hours mean fish are in deeper or slower-moving water during mid-day; adapt depth and retrieval speed accordingly.

- **Pro Tips**
  - Keep a simple, durable rig and avoid over-spooling; salmon fight hard and will test your gear.
  - Vary depth and speed until you find the pattern for the day; patience pays in late fall.
  - Respect local regs and seasonal closures; safety first.

- **Quick Video References** (real fishing content):
  - [How To Catch Salmon! #fishing #shorts](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCVjRudsxNk)
  - [BEST fishing lesson EVER! Kids learn how to catch Salmon](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ2EUrM-AOU)
  - [Modified! Abu Toby 10g Salmon Trout lure. #fishing #salmon #trout](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02X6D95G6cA)

- **Gear & Tackle Picks (Amazon)**
  - [Catch Co Mystery Tackle Box Freshwater Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass Lures Fishing Kit](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09GRL72V9?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
  - [KOKOPROS Squid Fishing Hoochies 10 Pack - Glow Fresh Water Kokanee Salmon Trolling Lures](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLCZQZL5?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
  - [Pautzke Balls O' Fire Salmon Eggs Fishing Bait - Green Label, 1 oz](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LF37MW?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
  - [GOANDO 404pcs Fishing Accessories Kit](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CDBF1VGY?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

- I’ve kept this tight and field-ready so you can get out there and start dialing in peak late-fall bites. Good luck, stay patient, and reel ‘em in! 🐟💪

Trout Questions

More Questions

What equipment and strategy should a new angler use to catch their first bass from shore in Lake Arthur, Pennsylvania in August?

What bait can I use to catch bass in Myrtle Beach lake if they feed the fish and the fish aren't hungry?

What is the best type of fishing line?

Best months to catch crawfish in the west coast?

Question is: what is the best public fishing pond for Gonzales, LA?

What is the best way to shore jig in Pescara?

What fish can I catch in the Cascais marina?

If I use a low-quality jig that's blue and has hooks, does it still work (it's metal)?

Trout Questions

What size jighead for 2.5 inch soft plastic on mitchell River?

Where to fly fish now in New Mexico

在死水的正方形鱼坑中，在冬天-5 ~ 5度如何做掉鳟鱼，使用flyfishing 保证增加鱼获

how to nap gost srimp to use as bait

What equipment and strategy should a new angler use to catch their first bass from shore in Lake Arthur, Pennsylvania in August?

What bait can I use to catch bass in Myrtle Beach lake if they feed the fish and the fish aren't hungry?

What is the best type of fishing line?

Best months to catch crawfish in the west coast?

Question is: what is the best public fishing pond for Gonzales, LA?

What is the best way to shore jig in Pescara?

What fish can I catch in the Cascais marina?

If I use a low-quality jig that's blue and has hooks, does it still work (it's metal)?

What size jighead for 2.5 inch soft plastic on mitchell River?

Where to fly fish now in New Mexico

在死水的正方形鱼坑中，在冬天-5 ~ 5度如何做掉鳟鱼，使用flyfishing 保证增加鱼获

how to nap gost srimp to use as bait

Trout Questions

More Questions

What equipment and strategy should a new angler use to catch their first bass from shore in Lake Arthur, Pennsylvania in August?

What bait can I use to catch bass in Myrtle Beach lake if they feed the fish and the fish aren't hungry?

What is the best type of fishing line?

Best months to catch crawfish in the west coast?

Question is: what is the best public fishing pond for Gonzales, LA?

What is the best way to shore jig in Pescara?

What fish can I catch in the Cascais marina?

If I use a low-quality jig that's blue and has hooks, does it still work (it's metal)?

Trout Questions

What size jighead for 2.5 inch soft plastic on mitchell River?

Where to fly fish now in New Mexico

在死水的正方形鱼坑中，在冬天-5 ~ 5度 如何做掉鳟鱼，使用flyfishing 保证增加鱼获

how to nap gost srimp to use as bait

What equipment and strategy should a new angler use to catch their first bass from shore in Lake Arthur, Pennsylvania in August?

What bait can I use to catch bass in Myrtle Beach lake if they feed the fish and the fish aren't hungry?

What is the best type of fishing line?

Best months to catch crawfish in the west coast?

Question is: what is the best public fishing pond for Gonzales, LA?

What is the best way to shore jig in Pescara?

What fish can I catch in the Cascais marina?

If I use a low-quality jig that's blue and has hooks, does it still work (it's metal)?

What size jighead for 2.5 inch soft plastic on mitchell River?

Where to fly fish now in New Mexico

在死水的正方形鱼坑中，在冬天-5 ~ 5度 如何做掉鳟鱼，使用flyfishing 保证增加鱼获

how to nap gost srimp to use as bait

在死水的正方形鱼坑中，在冬天-5 ~ 5度如何做掉鳟鱼，使用flyfishing 保证增加鱼获

在死水的正方形鱼坑中，在冬天-5 ~ 5度如何做掉鳟鱼，使用flyfishing 保证增加鱼获