Help! Trying to Get My Son Hooked Onto A Pink Salmon...Need Your Advice

[silverdalesauer]

I'm not gonna lie... I have no clue about Puget Sound Salmon fishing. I grew up in Northern Maine. I've gone with some guides a few times (never caught a fish). I've been out once with a friend on his boat (caught a rock fish). And have recently taken my son out to try for pinks, but to no avail. Really, I'm more into fishing lakes and streams for trout, but my 9 year old continuously begs me to take him Salmon fishing.

So last week I went to Sportsman's Warehouse and asked for some help. They got me started and suggested we just use his rod and reel (the basic Zebco kids trout pole). I took him out to the nearest beach where they suggested (Point No Point) and we observed others catching. It was fun and we left hopeful that we'd eventually get something.

We went back a couple days later and fished for 5 hours without a bite.

Then, today we went back and tried for 4 more hours. Nothing.

And what's most frustrating is that all the others around us were catching their limits! I understand the basics of fishing and that much of it is about luck and timing. But my poor boy left today in tears as he's put in the time and not once complained. So, the father in me just desperately wants to do this right so I can get him onto a fish.

Can someone give me tips, rigging information, and suggestions before I go out and spend a bunch of money on gear that is not the right stuff? Thoughts? I'd greatly appreciate it.

[jay.sharkbait]

I wish I could help. It's going to be at least another week before I can get out.

Please don't give up....... ever

[cookingdaily]

what are you using? Pink jig head with short pink skirt  worked for me

[Colville]

Change it up.  Sometimes they are up and you cast and real as soon as it hits. other times down, so let it run to the bottom before starting your retrieve. Depending on the lure maybe you need to give it some jerks and real back to give action or maybe just an ultra slow retrieve. Don't cast the same way to the same spot over and over with the same presentation.  Watch the guys and see how long they are letting the gear sink before they retrieve. Note the gear, buz bombs, casting spoons, jigs with weight etc.

[silverdalesauer]

what are you using? Pink jig head with short pink skirt  worked for me

what's a "pink skirt"? is that a hoochie?

what size jig head/hook would you suggest?

there was a guy out there today who caught 4 in about 1 hour and he wasn't using spoons or buzz bombs.

[Bullkllr]

what are you using? Pink jig head with short pink skirt  worked for me

what's a "pink skirt"? is that a hoochie?

what size jig head/hook would you suggest?

there was a guy out there today who caught 4 in about 1 hour and he wasn't using spoons or buzz bombs.

Pretty commonly available and productive. Same idea in marabou or rabbit fur work well also, but are more pricy. I usually use them in rivers and usually stay 1/4 oz or under. Less if under a float. Might want a little heavier for casting distance on the beach maybe(?)

[silverdalesauer]

suggestions on rods, reels, line weight/type, leaders, swivels? does it make a dramatic difference as to those things?

[BOWHUNTER45]

Bullkiller is correct ...all you need for pinks is a jig head with a hoochie skirt ...I never could figure out why anyone would want to spend money on shrimp ...especially now when they are pushing $ 4 a dozen ...

[shorthair15]

any kind of pink spoon or spinner will work dick nites work well to. i use to catch them on 50 cent spoons in pink. pink jigs will work to. just matters where your fishing for them in the salt or the rivers?

[hollymaster]

Add a little smelly jelly in shrimp scent to the jig.

[Bullkllr]

suggestions on rods, reels, line weight/type, leaders, swivels? does it make a dramatic difference as to those things?

Ideal would probably be a 9-10 foot spinning rod with 10# or so line, That said, a longish trout rod with 6-8 # line would probably be minimum. Most of the lures you can tie straight to your mainline. Light spoons like a Dick Nite will need a weight 3-4ft above it- maybe 1/2- 1 ounce.

I wouldn't worry too much about swivels etc. Once you have a few of the basic lures you can see how others are rigging them. Ask, lot's of people willing to help- it's not like a secret. If there's no one around you're probably in the wrong spot.

Hope these help:
Decent overview
http://www.gameandfishmag.com/fishing/fishing_salmon-steelhead-fishing_wo_0106_02/

From WDFW
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOp0EplIGUw

Recent report
https://www.tedssportscenter.com/reports/2015/08/08/Beach-Fishing-For-Pink-Salmon/

Last part has beach fishing info
http://salmonuniversity.com/archives/818

Helpful info for buzz bombs
http://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/lifestyle/320335391.html

Lot's of info out there; google "pink salmon from beach/shore" or something similar.
Good Luck, they're out there- go get 'em!

[lokidog]

"I wouldn't worry too much about swivels etc. "

I have to disagree with this... if using a spoon.  Ten casts and your line will be so twisted it won't hardly leave the rod.....  Just use a swivel that has a little hook on the end, not the straight wire ones.

I do not shore fish for pinks, however, from my experience, if you are using the same lure and roughly the same rod/line and not catching fish next to someone who is, you are not retrieving it in a manner the fish like.  Mimic, EXACTLY, what the successful person is doing.  Ask them how far they are letting it sink if you cannot tell,  retrieve at the same speed, jerk if they jerk, etc.

My ex would complain about my "luck" catching fish while she did not.  We had the same lure/rod/reel combination, she would never, ever watch to see how her retrieve was different than mine.   

Good luck.

[cookingdaily]

what are you using? Pink jig head with short pink skirt  worked for me

what's a "pink skirt"? is that a hoochie?

what size jig head/hook would you suggest?

there was a guy out there today who caught 4 in about 1 hour and he wasn't using spoons or buzz bombs.

Pretty commonly available and productive. Same idea in marabou or rabbit fur work well also, but are more pricy. I usually use them in rivers and usually stay 1/4 oz or under. Less if under a float. Might want a little heavier for casting distance on the beach maybe(?)

Exactly what I use

[silverdalesauer]

You guys are awesome. Gonna give these tips a try and hope for success.


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[Bullkllr]

"I wouldn't worry too much about swivels etc. "

I have to disagree with this... if using a spoon.  Ten casts and ypour loine will be so twisted it won't hardly leave the rod.....  Just use a swivel that has a little hook on the end, not the straight wire ones.

I was figuring he has some tackle already on hand, probably some kind of swivels included, and he could get by with those, not arguing that swivels are unnecessary. Just that a lot of specialized salt water salmon tackle is not needed to catch a pink or two from shore.

FWIW, proper retrieve speed on most spoons produces a wobble not a spin, but yeah a swivel somewhere in the rigging is often a good idea.

[silverdalesauer]

suggestions on rods, reels, line weight/type, leaders, swivels? does it make a dramatic difference as to those things?

Ideal would probably be a 9-10 foot spinning rod with 10# or so line, That said, a longish trout rod with 6-8 # line would probably be minimum. Most of the lures you can tie straight to your mainline. Light spoons like a Dick Nite will need a weight 3-4ft above it- maybe 1/2- 1 ounce.

I wouldn't worry too much about swivels etc. Once you have a few of the basic lures you can see how others are rigging them. Ask, lot's of people willing to help- it's not like a secret. If there's no one around you're probably in the wrong spot.

Hope these help:
Decent overview
http://www.gameandfishmag.com/fishing/fishing_salmon-steelhead-fishing_wo_0106_02/

From WDFW
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOp0EplIGUw

Recent report
https://www.tedssportscenter.com/reports/2015/08/08/Beach-Fishing-For-Pink-Salmon/

Last part has beach fishing info
http://salmonuniversity.com/archives/818

Helpful info for buzz bombs
http://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/lifestyle/320335391.html

Lot's of info out there; google "pink salmon from beach/shore" or something similar.
Good Luck, they're out there- go get 'em!

Thanks!

[grade-creek-rd]

The August issue of Salmon-Trout-Steelheader (found at all sporting goods stores and most grocery stores) has an article all about fishing for Pinks at the public fishing puers in Puget Sound...same concept from shore applies, including the gear mentioned in the article...

G-C-R

[Bullkllr]

Any updates ?

I'd be interested to hear how the effort is going.

[silverdalesauer]

Took both sons out on Wednesday. I hooked into one, but it came off. Neither boys caught one.

Then, of course the newlywed couple  from Montana - fishing beside us - who had never been Salmon fishing before caught a beauty. 😒


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[Katmai Guy]

Distance you are able to cast is sometimes an issue.  Usually the farther from the beach the better.  Watch where your neighbors catching the fish are casting and match the distance.  Might help

[silverdalesauer]

SUCCESS!!!




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[Gobble Doc]

 

Awesome!

[lokidog]

 

[Smokepole]

That's a nice one!  Very cool. 

[Bullkllr]

 

[Birdguy]

Right on! Way to stick with it. Great for all of you. Careful that fish may be all it takes for him to make fishermen out of all of you  .

[silverdalesauer]

Enjoyed eating it too! This is a recipe I found for grilling Pinks.

The boat: Create a foil "boat" to place the fish in using tin foil. Fold it up to create walls that will hold the secret sauce

The fillet: Place your fillet on the foil and squeeze the juice of 1/2 lemon to coat. Allow to sit for 10 minutes before sprinkling with either, or a combination of, lemon pepper & Johny's Salmon seasoning

The Sauce:
1 stick butter
2 cloves garlic crushed
1 Tbs ketchup
3 dashes Tabasco
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Juice from 1/2 - 1 whole lemon
Lemon pepper to taste - (approx 1/2 TBS)

combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan and melt. (great on steaks too!)

The Grill: Preheat your grill to 400*

The bath: pour the lemonny-garlicy-buttery goodness on top of the salmon.

The braise: place the foil boat in the grill and cook with the lid closed. DO NOT BURN THE BUTTER. Check after 5-10 minutes and turn down the heat to medium.

The sear: There is an argument that salmon should be seared first, then finished skin down and vice-versa. I do both and really don't care about the finer points, I know what tastes good to me. Once the fish is done to your liking slide the boat over and crank up the grill. Place the fish skin side up. A tip here is to pre-cut your fillet into manageable portions. We aren't going for presentation here, we are going for taste. Sear the fish to your liking, rotating a 1/4 turn to get those pretty grill marks. This step really firms up the fish and produces those yummy Maillard reactions. This also gives you the opportunity to scrape off the skin and baste with some sauce from the boat on the tasty grey matter.

And this is the end result of our catch.






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