Motor Mooching for Salmon

Tired of dragging downrigger balls around waiting for that bite? Do you only have two downriggers, but frequently take out 3+ people on your boat? Let’s talk mooching, and more specifically, motor mooching.
One of the most effective and certainly fun ways to catch king salmon from a boat is motor mooching. Have a look at this video to get introduced to the technique.

[@billkremers5994]

Always amazed how you have to tell people over and over again, to "reel". Fish do not come to the boat on their own.

[@PNWBestLife]

😂 true!

[@ericglover9327]

Awesome man! jealous lol.

[@PNWBestLife]

We will get out there! Great to meet you yesterday man!

[@ericglover9327]

@@PNWBestLife for sure! That's a dream trip man.

[@chrisfetner332]

It is a wonder any of these people catch fish.

[@PNWBestLife]

😂

[@wizzle89]

what boat do you have in this video?

[@PNWBestLife]

Previous boat was a 20 ft alumaweld

[@tlpoutdoorsman]

What is the pink weight thing.. ???

[@PNWBestLife]

The mooching sinker?

[@tlpoutdoorsman]

@@PNWBestLife what type of sinker...? Brand

[@PNWBestLife]

Oh, I’m not sure, I just buy them from Sportco, I’ve not seen the brand. But if you search mooching sinker or banana weight you can probably find it

[@tlpoutdoorsman]

@@PNWBestLife oh ok thanks its not a slider, its more a banana weight?

[@PNWBestLife]

Right, banana weight

[@shaunkirby273]

I don't know how you guides can deal so well with rookies, that about drove me nuts just watching 😂 grew up on Vancouver island and was wondering where you fish from " not body of water"

[@PNWBestLife]

I'm in Puyallup personally, this video was shot in Sekiu area though. Also, not a guide, but I fish almost as much, lol. Thanks for watching!

[@PNWBestLife]

pnwbestlife.com/motor-mooching-for-salmon/ for more info on motor mooching

[@chiunderwood9534]

That's how you release king! Nice job guiding the young man how to handle the rod.

[@PNWBestLife]

Thanks man!

[@thomassmestead9905]

Chinook tend to smack baitfish with their tails first in order to stun them, before they turn to take the baitfish into their mouths. This can be mistaken for a strike, and if you set the hook, it'll pull the bait away from their mouths. Also probably spook them off from a second attempt at the bait.

[@PNWBestLife]

That’s what my friend did in this video! But my son who didn’t know better just held his rod and he got the fish!

[@thomassmestead9905]

I grew up fishing for Chinook and Coho in Puget's Sound, with my Dad. Mostly on the Possession bar, nacl in the 1960's.

[@PNWBestLife]

Nice!

[@395glen]

Nice video. Really enjoyed how well you handled every situation thrown at you. Now for my critique lol. Not in a negative way but some insight. I really hate right handed reels. I know he would of handled that rod better if he could control it. I don’t see why ppl choose to fish like that so akward. It’s like a right handed person trying to throw a pitch with their left hand

[@PNWBestLife]

Thanks man! Lol, it seems so natural to me, so it never occurred to me. Good feedback, thanks!

[@395glen]

@@PNWBestLife some ppl have done it for so long that it doesn’t bother them as much but ppl who don’t handle rods very often it is akward. I used to use those reels until I picked up a left handed reel and won’t change back. So much more control of rod when in my dominant hand. Nothing wrong with them just preference really

[@PNWBestLife]

Yeah, that makes sense!

[@Cwis1]

I’m new to mooching and when you feel a bite do you just slow down your reeling speed until you know it’s on then set the hook or do you just not set the hook and reel fast once you know it’s on?

[@PNWBestLife]

The challenge is until there’s line peeling, you don’t really know you have the hooks in the fish. And once it’s peeling line, you don’t need to set the hook. I’ve seen the most success with just continuing to reel when you first feel the bite. To essentially act like it’s not happening. Once the line peeling starts you fight it like normal

[@carlossales8710]

Nice video at least you had success fishing this year I had to try fishing I just could not let it go any more I told you in the past I had back surgery but went fishing a few time out in Tacoma no luck I don’t know what I did wrong if it was me or my complaining body that jinxed it for me in past I did good out of Tacoma that’s the only place I ever tried I sure would love to meet and talk to you for more choices keep up the good work

[@PNWBestLife]

Carlos, connect with me via email: [e-mail] and we can chat more.

[@TheReefRobber]

Dropped you a like and sub.

[@PNWBestLife]

Thanks man!

[@AWOODLA24]

Is this in seiku?

[@PNWBestLife]

Yup! Sea Caves, leave out of Clallam Bay and make a left, it's right there!

[@captainconnorsadventures6357]

Good way to get everyone on board fishing!

[@PNWBestLife]

I know right! Too many trips trolling around with some people feeling like they got more of a boat ride than a fishing trip.

[@captainconnorsadventures6357]

Pacific Northwest Best Life 🤣 true that! Great vid keep it up. Let’s collab sometime, I’m in south king county

[@PNWBestLife]

@@captainconnorsadventures6357 Heck yeah man, I'm down! Connect with me on Instagram kyle.towle or email [e-mail]

[@kumbofishingusa]

That is big

[@PNWBestLife]

So much fun!

[@seansimons7043]

Nice fight!

[@PNWBestLife]

Thanks! So fun when there’s no flasher between you and the fish! So funny how it started with my son yelling “I think I got something” as his rod is violently jerking up and down. Ya think?!?

[@sjp2775]

These fish are trying to eat.........Let them!!!.......

[@billjohnson7347]

@Steve Parr They did let them eat. They ate the bait. Every condemned fish gets a last meal.