King salmon, also known as Chinook salmon, are one of the most sought after gamefish for anglers across North America. Growing up to 5 feet long and weighing over 100 pounds, these powerful fish put up a tremendous fight and make for an exhilarating catch. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to successfully fish for king salmon.
Best King Salmon Fishing Locations
King salmon can be found along the Pacific coast from California up to Alaska, as well as in the Great Lakes region. Some of the top spots anglers target them include:
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Alaska – Rivers like the Kenai, Kasilof, and Copper River hold enormous kings. The saltwater around Seward and Valdez is also excellent.
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British Columbia – The Campbell, Skeena, and Fraser Rivers all hold good numbers of king salmon.
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Washington – The Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Columbia River are prime king salmon fisheries.
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Fall kingfish can be found in the lower Columbia River in Oregon or the Sacramento River in California.
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Great Lakes – Lake Michigan, Huron, and Ontario offer king salmon fishing, primarily in the spring.
Best Seasons and Times to Catch King Salmon
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Spring – Target migrating king salmon in rivers and along the ocean as they return to spawn. Peak times are May and June.
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Summer – Ocean trolling for kings is best from June through August when they are feeding actively.
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Fall – Kings return to rivers in September through November to head upstream to spawn. Great time for river fishing.
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Early morning and evening hours are most productive when salmon are actively feeding.
King Salmon Fishing Tackle and Gear
Having the right rod, reel, line and tackle makes landing a king more likely:
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Rods – A 7-9 foot medium-heavy power fast action rod. Go bigger for massive kings.
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Reels – Reliable saltwater baitcast or spinning reels with smooth drag.
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Line – 20-50 lb braided line offers strength and sensitivity for feeling bites. Use a 4-8 foot fluorocarbon leader.
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Terminal tackle – Strong treble hooks, barrel swivels, diving plugs and dodgers for trolling. Downriggers are useful.
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Bait/Lures – Whole herring, plug cut herring, anchovies, spoons, and diving plugs all catch kings.
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Gaff and Net – Essential for safely landing big king salmon.
Top King Salmon Fishing Techniques
Kings can be caught using a variety of techniques. Here are the most effective methods:
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Trolling – Dragging plugs, spoons or bait at 2-4 mph is deadly for kings in saltwater. Target structure and depth changes.
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Drift Fishing – Use a drift boat or anchor in rivers, allowing bait to drift naturally in the current.
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Mooching – Slowly drift bait on or near the bottom vertically jigging. Great for river mouths.
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Casting Lures – Cast spoons, spinners and plugs near river mouths and into bait balls. Reel fast.
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Jigging – Bounce large metal jigs off the bottom to provoke reaction bites from kings holding in channels.
Locating King Salmon Hotspots
King salmon often relate to structure and will hold in predictable areas. Focus on these hotspots:
- Channel drop-offs and holes
- Riprap banks and rocky outcroppings
- River and creek mouths
- Points, humps, and underwater shelves
- Kelp beds and bull kelp
- Tide rips and current seams
Also look for baitfish activity like balls of herring or anchovies. Kings will hunt these areas.
5 Pro Tips for Hooking More King Salmon
Follow these expert tips to up your odds of success:
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Use scent attractants like shrimp or anise oil on bait or lures.
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Try different depths and trolling speeds to trigger bites.
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Add a red or green glow hoochie 4-5 feet above your bait or lure.
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Use diving planers and downriggers to reach deeper holding kings.
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Keep bait lively using bait keepers and frequently re-bait hooks.
Next time you hit the water, use these king salmon fishing tips to find, hook, and land the fish of a lifetime. Just remember to be prepared with the proper gear, be patient, experiment, and fish those high-percentage spots and you’ll gain the knowledge needed to consistently catch more king salmon.
Step 3: Release Your Bait
When you drop your bait for the first time, make sure it spins like a real anchovy. Keep your flash and weight clear and untangled. We had three people on the boat, so we worked our way up to 30 counts of line for one pole, then 40 counts, and finally 50 counts. Then put the pole in a placer holder and go eat a sandwich or sleep if no one wants to drive the boat. While you’re gone, keep an eye on the pole. Troll slowly, about 2-4 mph.
Introduction: How to Catch a King Salmon
You can fish for king salmon in three ways: on a professional charter boat, along a salmon river, or with a friend or friend of a friend who owns a boat. Recently I was lucky enough to be invited along by the latter. At 5:30 a.m., we met at the dark harbor and waited until the lights on the charter boats turned on. When they left, we followed. Being in the know, they go out every day and talk to each other about where they are catching fish. But really, most fishing boats outside of San Francisco go to Duxbury Reef off of Stinson Beach to catch King salmon.
Going out under the Golden Gate Bridge, through the rough water of the Potato Patch, and into the foggy open ocean is always exciting. You can see wildlife, get a rush of adrenaline when you catch a fish, and then eat delicious food for weeks. Of course, since this is the ocean, bad things could always happen, like rough seas and no fish. But the boats steaming towards Duxbury Reef were optimistic and salmon focused.
We used anchovies for bait. Court, a fishing buddy, does what he calls the “Norwegian wrap”. A long hook goes all the way through the fish, then he wraps wire around it.
HOW TO Catch A Salmon – COMPLETE Guide To SUCCESS Salmon Fishing!
FAQ
What is the best bait for king salmon?
How do you catch king salmon?
What do you need for king salmon fishing?
What is the best fishing line for king salmon?
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Test
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Line Type
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Species
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12-20 lb
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Mono/Braid
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Coho/Chum/ Sockeye Salmon
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25-50 lb
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Mono/Braid
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King/Coho Salmon/ Rockfish/Near-shore salt water species
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60-100 lb
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Mono/Braid
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Salmon/Rockfish/ Halibut/Lingcod
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150+ lb
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Braid
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Halibut/Shark
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How to fish for King Salmon?
Nymph fishing for salmon is also very popular and effective. You can use egg imitation flies, nymph imitations, or baitfish imitations. Bank fishing for king salmon is done at river mouths, up the rivers, or on the ocean’s shorelines. Bank fishing consists of casting heavy lures or a heavy bait rig with a method known as plunking.
Is smoked salmon safe for kidneys?
Smoked salmon is safe for the kidneys, as long as it does not exceed the renal load, that is, the amount of recommended daily protein.
Can you fish king salmon from the bank?
Jig fishing is also common when king salmon fishing from the bank. River fishing for king salmon might be the most popular and accessible method of catching king salmon. Depending on the region, the kings will be in the rivers from May through November.
What do you need to fish for King Salmon?
You’ll need a sturdy rod and reel with a high line capacity, as well as a variety of lures and baits. Some popular options for king salmon include herring, anchovies, and spoons. Make sure to also bring a good pair of fishing gloves to protect your hands from the fish’s sharp teeth.