Alright, let’s talk about catching them big ol’ Chinook salmon, you know, the kind that make your arms tired. Folks always askin’ me, “What’s the best bait?” Well, it ain’t no one-size-fits-all answer, I tell ya. But I’ve been fishin’ long enough to know a thing or two.
First off, the eggs. Yeah, them salmon eggs. They’re like candy to these fish. Salmon eggs are the top choice for bait, no doubt about it. I’ve seen it time and time again. You string them up on a hook, toss ’em in, and wham! Fish on. Now, some folks like to use those sand shrimp too, and they work alright, but those eggs… they’re somethin’ special. Some fellas even use both eggs and shrimp at the same time, greedy buggers!
Now, sometimes, the water gets real low and clear, you know? Like you can see right to the bottom. That’s when them jig things come in handy. Them Marabou jigs, they call ’em. They wiggle and jiggle and drive the fish crazy, specially them pink salmon. But they work for Chinook too, when the water’s like that. You don’t even need bait with them things, just jig ’em up and down, up and down. It’s work, but it pays off.
- Best Baits for Chinook Salmon:
- Salmon Eggs: These are like gold! They just can’t resist ‘em.
- Sand Shrimp: Good, but not as good as eggs, if you ask me.
- Marabou Jigs: For when the water’s clear as a bell.
Another thing you gotta pay attention to is the tide. Them fish, they like to eat when the tide’s changin’. And right before dark, that’s another good time. It’s like their dinner bell rings or somethin’. If you ain’t had no luck all mornin’, then you gotta wait for that tide to turn or that sun to go down. That’s when they get hungry, and that’s when you’ll catch ’em.
Now, let’s say you’re fishin’ in one of them muddy rivers, the kind where you can’t see your hand in front of your face. Them shiny spinner things, them spinners, they work wonders in that muddy water. They got them little metal blades that spin around and make a fuss, and the fish, they can feel it, even if they can’t see it. Them vibrations, they call ’em. They tell the fish, “Hey, dinner’s over here!” So you reel them spinners in, slow and steady, and the fish come runnin’. It’s like ringing a dinner bell, but underwater!
And then there’s this other way of fishin’, jiggin’ they call it. You gotta use them long, skinny jig lures, the ones that sink down deep where them big Chinook hang out. Vertical jigging, it’s called. It ain’t easy, and it sure ain’t for the faint of heart, but it can catch you some monsters, I tell ya. You drop that jig down, then you jerk it up, then you let it fall back down. It takes some practice, but it’s worth it.
And don’t forget about them hooks and leaders, they’re important too. Gotta have the right size, gotta have ‘em strong. Them big salmon, they’ll snap your line like nothin’ if you ain’t careful. So make sure your gear is up to snuff, you hear? Ain’t nothin’ worse than losin’ a big one ‘cause you were too cheap to buy good hooks. It’s like going hunting with a slingshot, just plain silly! This whole thing can seem a bit confusing, but hopefully, this guide is designed to demystify the process and get you catchin’ more fish.
So, there you have it. Some folks like eggs, some like shrimp, some like jigs, some like spinners. Me? I like whatever catches fish. And that, my friends, is how you catch Chinook salmon. Now get out there and give it a try!
Tags: [Chinook Salmon, Salmon Fishing, Best Bait, Salmon Eggs, Spinners, Jigs, Fishing Tips, Salmon Lures]
