"How-To" Trolling Salmon Plugs for Chinook

[@stephenland9361]

50 years ago, when in my teens growing up in North Vancouver British Columbia, just about all that was used when salmon trolling was plugs. The odd person trolled herring or some form of spoon but plugs seemed to rule. After 40 years of just fly fishing streams, I got back into salmon fishing on the salt chuck. Hummmm..... Everyone was using hoochies and the occasional spoon. Herring teasers were also now popular. What happened to my old Lucky Louies and Mac's Squids? They were nowhere to be seen. Thinking that if they worked well 50 years ago, they should still work, I got out a few (yes, I still had some all those years). The guys on the boat were very amused. "What the hell is THAT thing?" A few really good chinook later, it was, "How many of those things do you have?"

[@JA-gx4hb]

All my old wooden Lyman plugs are catchers. Don't use any of the others anymore. (Haven't tried the new plastic Lymans yet.)

[@ronwall9923]

Thanks Tommy. This was really helpful. I love fishing plugs but you gave me some ideas to try.

[@scottvanachte893]

I am just starting out with trying Plugs. Have used Hootchies & spoons with great success over the years, but first year trying plugs. My question is, what hook size do you recommend for a 6" plug targeting Chinook? (Chinook size being targeted is around 15lbs).

[@thecount1001]

this study by the UBC Pacific Salmon Lab, gets into injuries during capture, and hook size plays a role. based on this, i have replaced all hooks on my plugs with size 5 and won't ever use anything larger from now on. IMO, given this research, it's unethical to use larger hooks given the likelihood of severe eye injuries. given the amount of undersized fish out there that i catch around Campbell River and the ESVI i want salmon to survive and breed, unless it's a legal keeper. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bp-3maB-rbael6c

[@martyure]

7/0

[@Hoenderop13]

How long of a litre do you usually run if you are pulling the pin and rigging your own?

[@bobjohnson7207]

Exactly maybe one day our neighbors to the south might figure out how to fish properly lol like that will happen.

[@tru9978]

Ha! While you're collecting pubic hairs to tie nymph flies and catching 2 pound trout, your neighbors down south are catching tuna bigger than you.

[@alexfay2222]

Do these work well for Pinks and Coho?

[@alexfay2222]

One last question, Could you do a video of how they are supposed to move in the water? Pin vs no pin?

[@charlespaul5658]

Do you ever fish the 3” tomics?

[@NghiaPham-xi5so]

What is a good rod for trolling salmon in the puget sound? What is a good length as well? Thanks

[@FishHuntNorthwest]

We are with Edge Rods. The Edge 360 Pro is Designed to be fished with lead, like in the Columbia River or even when using just lead for trolling in Puget Sound fishing shallow for Coho. It also performs extremely well in a downrigger for Salmon troll fisheries. You can get them in a 10' 6" or 9'4" it just depends what works well for the size of your boat. They also come in a 4, 5 or 6 power. So a 10' 6" 5 power, would be a 1065. It is a 12-30 lb. rated rod 😉

[@NghiaPham-xi5so]

@@FishHuntNorthwest If I am doing it from a kayak, what type will work for that?

[@FishHuntNorthwest]

@@NghiaPham-xi5so downrigger or lead to get it down

[@jjseandxcefree]

can you cast these trolling plugs like from a beach?? for salmon?

[@jeremywolfee7807]

Yes you can cast them but isn't as effective

[@randymutch5791]

is it ok to fish a plug using a snap

[@FishHuntNorthwest]

@@randymutch5791 some do, we tie direct...

[@randymutch5791]

@FishHuntNorthwest does it make a difference

[@forrestgill8310]

Kings are great for posing but small male silvers taste better!

[@JohnSmith-gm3qm]

Does this work for pike

[@thecount1001]

anything works for pike.

[@jessrobinson2809]

Great tips, but one question.. how fast to troll them?

[@jeremywolfee7807]

2.2-3.5 mph ,tubby plugs I would troll slower around 2.2-3.0 mph