A landing net is not necessary as your fish can usually be brought into the shallow, identified, beached if you wish to retain it. Reaching schooling fish is important if you want to improve your catch success. How To Fish April 1, 2019 Tips for Shore and Dock Fishing Success. As salmon fish loves to stay in dark place, you will sometimes find them on shore. BRITISH COLUMBIA SPORT FISHING ONLINE RESOURCE & DIRECTORY, BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis. Typical drift fishing gear includes an 8 1/2- or 9-foot rod rated for 15-30 pound line, and either a bait casting reel or a spinning reel. Kokanee salmon don’t hang out close to lakeshores, so using a boat is sometimes necessary. This is a good size for jigging Kokanee. Once you purchase a fishing license, assemble your freshwater fishing gear, and find a public lake or pond, you will be ready to fish. For smaller fish, like pink salmon, use 10-15 pound line. The time to fish for them is early in the morning or late in the afternoon. They adapted to their new environment over time, and soon, there was no urge or need to head back to the ocean to spawn. Kokanee are beautiful fish that taste even better than they look. A boat is certainly not necessary to catch a limit for the day. By far, the most popular form of fly-fishing is freshwater. It is advisable to choose a suit with felt on the sole. When salmon see this flashing motion they think that a fish is feeding and come investigate. Even nowadays, we catch salmon from shore with amazing regularity. This can cause you to lose a hook or to lose your whole setup. When To Fish For Salmon On Puget Sound’s Beaches. Depending on the size of the fish you are targeting, a 5 or 6 weight fly fishing rod should be adequate enough for beach salmon. Buzz Bombs catch lots of fish each year, as do weighted spoons. Fish from public beaches and piers. During years of fishing lakes all over British Columbia, I have observed the frustration of many a fisherman trying to catch fish from shore. Felt almost does not slip on the … The action that the spoon has when it falls in the water makes it seem like a fish tried to swim up. Lure selection should also take the water depth into account. Master anglers recommend red, blue, fluorescent pink and fluorescent orange as colors that will most often attract salmon. Its pretty simple. Kokanee Salmon usually swim around 50 to 60 feet of the shore. The Kokanee Salmon will react to this and naturally strikeout. Do A Walk Around The Shoreline. Anything faster will be too fast for the Kokanee to catch. Saltwater vs Freshwater Fly Fishing – What is the Difference? There are a number of lures that work well when trolling for Kokanee. You’ve seen your running friends have some... We all love the outdoors! Even if you’re using a spoon or a spinner hook, the corn is small enough that it will only affect the fall speed of the lure and not the action, and because we know that Kokanee Salmon usually strike during the time that the hook is falling, we want to prolong the fall for as long as possible. There are many locations around Vancouver where this fishery is available. The flashers rolling motion looks very similar to the salmon feeding motion and attracts fish. Most days, there will be a certain rhythm that the fish will hit more than anything else. Companies have started selling concoctions that smell absolutely horrible, but the other fish do not seem to be mad at the smell. Sort of like a slower cast and retrieve. Always keep an eye out for big waves approaching shore, you do not want to be hit by a surprising bath. They can be very close to shore if undisturbed and wading can spook them easily. The full moon phases are better for catching fish during the afternoon hours. It is suitable for all bottom-feeding species, and it is ideal in very strong tides. This takes a pretty big toll on a species, so the attempt on creating a fishery is no small task. It’s you against yourself and the fish. Kokanee Salmon are actually Sockeye Salmon that do not migrate back to the ocean. It … Because it is off to the side and not directly above the hook, it gives the hook and baits what we call ‘action.’ This just refers to how it moves. In my experience jigging for Kokanee on some of the lakes in Southern Idaho, I’ve never had problems with line breaking. (Salmon, steelhead, brown trout) Pier and Ramp access. Popular spots include Furry Creek in Howe Sound, Ambleside Beach in West Vancouver, Cates Park in Deep Cove. This can scare away the fish, which is a bad thing. The change of tide is usually when fish become active close to shore. The light rods will be able to tell when the jig is being bitten, but when you set the hook after a good strike, the rod will take away some of the energy you put into setting the hook. The Silver Salmon is a fantastic salmon to target on a fly rod; they are relatively eager to take a fly and are aggressive fish that put up a fight and jump like crazy. If there is salmon there they should hit it. This leader length is from the back swivel on the … Bites. The moon phases actually can make the level of success change depending on what they are. The preferred baits are worms, small fish or shrimp, and the fly. Why not bring a fishing rod with you? Outfit for sea fishing salmon from shore. Tight lines and good luck! They are commonly sold at around 5 feet to 6 feet. Test things until you get a way that works for you. If they cannot see your lure, then it is unlikely that you will find a tug at the end of your rod. If fly fishing, the stripping of your fly is also more rapid, to simulate a shrimp or baitfish darting and suspending in the water. If they cannot see your lure, then it is unlikely that you will find a tug at the end of your rod. Reaching schooling fish is important if you want to improve your catch success. Squid baits are also frequently used. The Kokanee Salmon changed from their original species so much that even today Kokanee Salmon cannot reproduce with Sockeye Salmon. You don’t need a hook of any special kind but make sure that whatever hook you have is sharp enough. The sea does not like jokes. Kokanee Salmon tend to bite more during the later part of spring. Freshwater spoons such as Gibbs Croc spoons also work well. The salmon’s feeding grounds are fast flows and deep lakes, with gravel and pebble bottoms, where there are outlets to the sea. By jerking the rod and look up and down, the hook moves in a way that is appealing to the fish. It is important to get the hook set really secure, but because Kokanee have softer mouths, the line between a soft set and a set that’s too hard is as thin as a 4-pound line. There are a few things that the Kokanee Salmon hate the most, and those things are pinks, zigzag-ing lures, and stinky bait. Productive beaches are usually near a stream where salmon are expected to return. About us Jr. Do not be shy to add corn, maggots, or shrimp to a lure. However, as a lifelong saltwater fly-fisherman and guide, I can tell you that saltwater fly-fishing is gaining significant popularity. 2. There are an endless variety of weights, lures, floats, and/or baits that anglers can use. This is great because the Kokanee have very soft mouths, and the hook can easily be pulled out if set too hard. Put a kernel on a hoochie lure and drop it down into the water and the fish will come looking to bite. Salmon are anadromous fish – they’re born in freshwater, but soon go into the ocean to feed and grow, only to return to their home waters to spawn. Lure weight influences your casting distance. The shape of the dodger also creates water disruption. Cruising fish will show the dorsal part of their body occasionally, this is especially true for pink salmon. 3/8oz lures or more can be cast out pretty far, but they also sink pretty fast and more easily snagged. 1. Freshwater spinners are also commonly used for coho salmon, but additional weights are needed on the line to achieve the casting distance required. Attach a size-4 or -6 hook to the end of the fishing line. While this is an effective method, it is not the best method to use year round. Good luck. Summer fishing from shore targets perch, smallmouth bass and other fish. Another good alternative is to spool your reel with braided fishing line. Staging fish at the estuary have a tendency to jump when schooling in a tight spot. Kokanee Salmon came from the ocean around 15,000 years ago when there were more lakes and rivers over the America. This is a fishing rod used to cast repeatedly, so a long stick would result in a pair of rather sore arms by the end of the outing, especially if no fish are caught. These locations will be at the edges of strong currents where the fish will be able to strike out at passing food and be able to return to the calmer waters to just the edge of the currents. By dialling in the timing and polishing up the casting and retrieving techniques, it is in fact not too difficult to bring home some ocean fresh salmon from shore. With trolling, there are a few things that will change your success levels. If you’re lucky, you’ll hook one and be able to bring it in. Spoon lures can attract more fish over to where you are boat goes, so be sure to cross over places that you have been before to try to catch those late fish. Your rod should be at least 9 feet long and a fast action blank is preferred to achieve the casting distance required. We must go into the sea to the waist and deeper. The bungee will keep the set light and not yank the hook from the fish’s mouth. The main method of catching Kokanee Salmon is trolling around a few lines that have dodgers followed by spinner lures or spoons. link to What Is the Difference Between a Jogger and a Runner? A difference between Kokanee fishing and other fishing is the lures and baits used aren’t usually meant to attract the fish. Like most fish, they have a very specific aesthetic. They’re still connected to a rod and reel, but those are securely connected to the boat. Beach salmon fishing can be done near many towns along the East Coast of Vancouver Island such as Port Hardy, Port McNeil, Campbell River, Qualicum Beach. These fish have most likely been targeted repeatedly so they have seen most lures. Because the Kokanee Salmon have very soft and sensitive mouths, it is sometimes wise to put a rubber bungee around it. I have good luc on sinking fly line with a streamer pattern. These are the tried and known methods that work well for many fishermen, but not every situation can be covered by these methods. One of the most effective techniques for catching salmon from shore is drift fishing. A fishery is a place where the intent is to get fish in a lake and will continue to support the fish for a while. Holding water is where salmon will pause and rest on their trek upstream to the spawning grounds. I personally use a spinning reel and have had great success jigging with that. Once you cast out your lure, you can begin retrieving immediately to keep it away from the bottom. Shoreline structure such as docks, logs, vegetation, rock piles, and downed trees are ideal fishing spots. These areas are ideal to fish for salmon, because the fish will be plentiful and they will all be focused on eating instead of migrating. Copyright © 2001 - 2016 Fishing with Rod Production. If you are using a jigging style lure, then you should lift and drop your rod repeatedly as it is being retrieved. Most Kokanee Salmon live to be around 3 years before spawning. Finally, make sure you have a valid saltwater fishing licence and salmon conservation stamp before taking part in this fishery. Once you’re in position, you will be able to drop your lure down directly into the school of fish. Dodgers are basically spoon lures without the hook at the other end. Two main techniques are used to target salmon from a beach - Spincasting and fly fishing. They adapted to their new environment over time, and soon, there was no urge or need to head back to the ocean to spawn. Logged Oddfish. The first is that typically, the faster you go, the louder your engine will be. This guide will help you if you want to catch salmon from the beaches of Puget Sound. Kokanee Salmon bite pink baits and lures, but will also bite at reds, oranges, and some light purples. Any reel can work for jigging, but baitcasters seem to be the popular choice with other fishermen. The garlic will be a different smell that most Kokanee won’t have smelt before. After a school of fish is found, position your boat right over the school. As a silver spool falls down in the water, it will move side to side as it falls. The average spawn date in early September but only lasts for 10 days, After that, the fish will die and there will be smaller fish as summer continues and fall starts. Kokanee. The best way to fish from the beach is to cast and retrieve a jig or buzzbomb. Kokanee bite because of smells. You should wear a pair of waders because most of the time you need to walk out from the beach to access deeper spots. So do big body baits, like J13 Rapalas. Best times are evening, from about an hour before dark till you get tired of it, and early morning, from before dawn to maybe two hours after sunrise. A lure with its own action should not be that close, so instead, the lure should be around 3 to 4 times the This will allow the lure to perform its own action and not be affected by the dodger as it moves. Harding Lake. One of the important moments for fishing salmon from the shore is outfitting. The hooks should be baited with a piece of corn, one per hook. When To Fish From Shore: Generally, February-April. The corn is used not because it smells bad, but because it can keep in substances that smell strongly very well. Extensive shore fishing throughout all of Lake Shore State Park. Switch to the east side if you're fishing the incoming tide, as the tide forces the bait in tight against the beach, and the salmon naturally follow. You use them interchangeably. Thinner lines allow you to cast further but are more easily cut by rocks and other debris. The hoochies should be placed on a 40-60 pound leader. Two main techniques are used to target salmon from a beach - Spincasting and fly fishing. Most types of spinners work well. Most Kokanee, usually stay between 30 and 60 feet of water. Maggots smell horrific as well, but since the ones you should buy are going to be dyed pink, they will look horrific to the Kokanee, too. The best bait that I have used in kokanee trolling is some full kernel corn that I let sit out over 36 hours with some garlic. River water types – deep pool above tail out. The fish are fast, but they aren’t ‘bait-flashed in-their-faces-for-only-1-millisecond’ fast. Unlike casting a lure in a river, the key to beach fishing is casting distance. For pink salmon, they can be found from late July to early September. It’s the shallower depths, around 45 to 60 feet that it matters the most. Kokanee swim in schools, which makes targeting them easier than lone fish. This rod also needs to be able to cast lures weighing up to 1/2oz. Once you get too deep, however, reel back up or call it a day. With an array of prey available for these fish, it is important to determine what they are feeding on at any given time, so you can match it with your lure or fly. A boat is always helpful, so if you have one, use it. There are also good opportunities to catch steelhead, lake trout, pink salmon, lake whitefish and coaster brook trout! When salmon feed they roll from side to side. Their diet include herring, anchovy, needlefish, sandlance, stickleback, shrimp and crab larvae. The side that is raised will speed up as it comes up, which acts like a baitfish getting away from a predator or trying to eat something pretty close. The shoreline of a lake or pond is an easy place to start learning how to shore fish. Salmon are attracted to bright colors, so use lures and bait that will catch the attention of the fish and make them want to bite. As the rivers retreated and the lakes separated from some streams, there were sockeye salmon that were not able to get back to the ocean. A fixed weight is usually tied to the end of the main line, followed by 2 to 3 feet of leader, which is tied to the spinner. Wedding Ring Lures, bugs, and some crankbaits work well. The easiest way to find a school of fish that is deep in the water is with an electronic fish finder.