SALMON TROLLING, MOOCHING & Jigging

SETUP BASICS

DOWNRIGGER TROLLING

Marina with boats and crane-like structure at sunset, clear blue sky, seagull flying above.

1. CHOOSE A FLASHER

There are many different flashers to choose from. I prefer to have a few colors on hand for different times of day and lighting conditions. The standard colors are green and red so it’s always wise to have those on hand at all times.

A harbor scene with docks and a crane structure, under a clear blue sky. A seagull flies in the sky above. The area appears to be part of a marina.

2. PICK YOUR Lure

The most popular lures are the kingfisher spoon, coho killer spoon, and hootchie squid. We carry all three types. It is best to try and match the color of the lure with the color of the flasher. Again, it’s good to have a few different options since the fish can change what they are feeding on daily.

Boat dock area with a large metal structure for lifting boats, adjacent marina, and clear sky.

3. TIE THE LEADER

Spoons

It’s best to use a barrel swivel on one end of the leader for quick lure changes. On the other end tie the line directly to the spoon. For king salmon use a 5-6’ leader with your spoon. For coho use a 3-4’ leader with your spoon.

Hoochie Squid

If you are running a hoochie, use about a 3’ leader. The easiest way to rig them is with a pre-tied double hook mooching leader. Just cut the leader to the length you need and thread through the hoochie. You can also add a bead or two under the hoochie head to push the hook down from the squid body to increase your hookup percentage. 

SETUP BASICS

DIVER TROLLING

Empty parking lot at a marina with a clear blue sky, a metal structure on the right, a small building on the left, and boats in the background.

1. CHOOSE A DIVER

Trolling with divers can be very effective especially when the fish are suspended in the water column. When choosing a diver the main thing to look for is one that has angle adjustments. This allows you to control the depth of the diver to match where you are seeing fish or bait on your depth sounder.

Harbor area with large empty parking space, dock structures, and a clear blue sky.

2. RIG THE DIVER

You can rig a diver with our without a flasher. If no flasher you can connect the leader directly to the diver. If you are using a flasher you will need to have a 2’ leader that runs from the diver to the flasher so it can freely spin. From there connect your leader to the flasher snap swivel.

Empty dockside with large crane and clear sky

3. CONNECT THE LEADER

For diver fishing you can use any bait or lure off the diver as you would like. We prefer running spoons off the diver so there’s no need to check the diver so frequently. We also prefer to use a heavier weight rod as it makes it easier to pull the diver and a line counter reel so you can adjust the depth setting. 

SETUP BASICS

MOOCHING

Marina with industrial structures, clear sky, and bird flying

1. THE SETUP

Mooching is quite simple, it only requires a banana weight, a leader with a pre-tied double hook mooching rig, and a cut plug herring.

Empty harbor area with clear blue sky, structures for boats, and a crane.

2. BAIT THE HOOK

For baiting the hook you will first want to cut plug the herring which is cutting the head off at two 45 degree angles. Make your cut at 45 degrees while also holding the blade angle at 45 degrees. This will ensure you have a good spinning bait while letting it down and reeling it in.

Empty harbor area with an open sky, dockside structures, and a lone bird in flight.

3. WORK THE WATER COLUMN

To mooch you want to locate schools of bait and work the drift so you slowly move over the bait. While drifting you lower your bait through the water column slowly and then retrieve it back up and repeat. If you lower to quickly you will end up tangling the line and twisting. Have patience.

SETUP BASICS

JIGGING

Empty marina with large hoist, boats in the background, clear blue sky, and a seagull flying overhead.

1. THE SETUP

Mooching is quite simple, it only requires a banana weight, a leader with a pre-tied double hook mooching rig, and a cut plug herring.

Harbor scene with a boat lift and marina, clear blue sky, and seagull flying overhead.

2. BAIT THE HOOK

For baiting the hook you will first want to cut plug the herring which is cutting the head off at two 45 degree angles. Make your cut at 45 degrees while also holding the blade angle at 45 degrees. This will ensure you have a good spinning bait while letting it down and reeling it in. To bait the hook first thread the bottom hook through the tail end of the herring and then put the top hook through the diamond shape at the top near the back of the head removal area.

Harbor with boat dock, cranes, and blue sky, featuring a warehouse and a flying bird.

3. WORK THE WATER COLUMN

To mooch you want to locate schools of bait and work the drift so you slowly move over the bait. While drifting you lower your bait through the water column slowly and then retrieve it back up and repeat. If you lower to quickly you will end up tangling the line and twisting. Have patience.