TLDR;
In this episode of the "Fishing for a Reason" podcast, Jamie Props explores the factors influencing salmon biting behavior in saltwater, focusing on coho and Chinook salmon during their ocean staging period. She discusses the impact of tides and currents, moon phases, barometric pressure, scent, and bait/lure presentation. The key takeaways include the importance of tides and currents, the potential role of barometric pressure, the critical nature of scent control, and how presentation triggers a salmon's natural instincts.
- Tides and currents significantly affect salmon feeding patterns.
- Barometric pressure changes influence salmon behavior due to their swim bladders.
- Scent control, both eliminating negative scents and adding attractants, is crucial.
- Bait and lure presentation should trigger a salmon's natural instincts.
Welcome to Fishing for a Reason [0:00]
Jamie Props introduces the podcast, "Fishing for a Reason," highlighting its focus on understanding the "why" behind fishing techniques to improve effectiveness on the water. She mentions a recent Salmon School class where participants, ranging from beginners to experienced anglers, explored the basics of targeting salmon. A question from a student about why salmon bite in saltwater during ocean staging inspired the content of this episode.
Why Salmon Bite in Saltwater During Ocean Staging [3:10]
The podcast addresses the question of why coho and Chinook salmon bite in saltwater as they approach their home rivers to spawn. Salmon feed voraciously before heading upriver because they often don't feed during their spawning journey. These fish are aggressive predators, especially during the staging period, with some coho gaining up to a pound per week by heavily feeding on bait fish. Anglers can observe this aggressive behavior, with salmon sometimes striking lures even before they are fully set up in the water.
How Tides and Currents Influence Salmon Feeding [5:00]
Tides and currents significantly impact salmon feeding and biting activity. Many experienced anglers plan their trips around tide changes. During strong currents, bait fish hunker down near the bottom or behind structures, while salmon conserve energy by positioning themselves near structure or in back eddies. As the current eases, bait fish emerge to feed, triggering salmon to do the same. Slack water often coincides with salmon gorging on bait fish, offering anglers a fast bite until currents strengthen again. Navionics app is recommended for checking current.
Does Moon Phase Really Matter? [10:41]
The effect of moon phases on salmon behavior is a controversial topic. Some theories suggest that full and new moons create stronger tidal currents, leading to better fishing, while quarter moons result in slower activity. However, scientific evidence supporting the moon phase effect on bite rates is weak, with few studies providing significant data. Research on largemouth bass and striped marlin catches showed fairly even distribution across lunar phases. For Pacific salmon, moon phase appears to be a secondary factor compared to tide, daylight, and weather.
Barometric Pressure and Salmon Behavior [14:30]
Barometric pressure changes significantly affect fish behavior. Salmon have a swim bladder, an internal air-filled organ that detects pressure changes in the water column. A falling barometer before a storm often triggers increased activity and aggressive feeding as fish sense the pressure change. During a storm with low pressure, fish tend to become lethargic and move deeper to equalize discomfort in their swim bladders. A rising pressure after a storm gradually restores the bite, though it may not be as intense until the weather stabilizes.
Why Scent is a Game-Changer for Chinook and Coho [19:02]
Scent is crucial in salmon fishing due to their incredibly keen sense of smell. Salmon can detect odors in concentrations of just a few parts per billion, allowing them to pick up on amino acids from prey, pheromones, and even contaminants like gasoline or sunscreen. Anglers often wear gloves and wash their hands to avoid transferring negative scents to their gear. Food-like odors increase searching activity, making scent attractants effective. Practical ways to maintain clean gear include using gloves, washing lures with Lemon Joy soap, and being cautious with scent application to avoid repelling fish.
How Bait and Lure Presentation Triggers a Bite [24:00]
Bait and lure presentation is the final factor in enticing a salmon to bite. Even with perfect environmental conditions, the presentation must appeal to the salmon's instincts. Hunger is a primary motivator, so matching the hatch by presenting something that looks like their prey is effective. Aggression and territorial responses also play a role, with salmon striking lures to attack them. Speed and movement are important, as slower movements can entice a feeding bite, while quick, darting movements can trigger a chase or aggression bite.
Putting It All Together: A Science-Backed Strategy [27:28]
In summary, tides and currents are the most significant factors in determining where and why salmon bite. Moon phase has a limited impact, while barometric pressure changes do affect salmon behavior. Scent control and attractants are crucial, and presentation entices bites by triggering natural instincts. By understanding these factors, anglers can make more effective choices when salmon fishing.
Wrap-Up and Listener Shout-Out [28:28]
Jamie concludes the episode, encouraging listeners to provide feedback on the science-based content. She expresses her enjoyment in creating these episodes and invites listeners to share their thoughts.