{"id":16908,"date":"2023-09-10T13:20:49","date_gmt":"2023-09-10T17:20:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/troutandsteelhead.net\/?p=16908"},"modified":"2023-09-13T17:37:10","modified_gmt":"2023-09-13T21:37:10","slug":"plug-fishing-for-salmon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/troutandsteelhead.net\/plug-fishing-for-salmon\/","title":{"rendered":"Plug Fishing For Salmon: 10 Best Tips For More Fish"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Fishing plugs and lures for salmon can be very effective. Image courtesy of our team photographer Dylan<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This article is about plug fishing for salmon in rivers with an emphasis on plug fishing from a boat. My knowledge of plug fishing is gained from years of guiding and learning different methods from other successful guides and plug fishermen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lures and setup are proven to be effective, and I’ll go over this and everything else you need to know to increase your chances of catching more salmon on plugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

How To Effectively Fish Plugs For Salmon: 4 Methods<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Plugs are a type of wobbling lure that entices salmon to bite. Plug fishing for salmon involves presenting plugs out of the back of the boat, often using a method known as back trolling or just regular trolling. Plugs can also be cast from the bank or when wading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Back Trolling Plugs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the river, most anglers fish plugs using the back trolling method<\/a>, which involves running plugs out of the back of the boat and slowly sliding the boat downriver towards the holding salmon. This article is primarily about this style of plug fishing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Casting Plugs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I cast a lot of plugs<\/a> from the bank or when wading with clients. Plugs can work anywhere when casting, but they work best in water from 5 to 15 feet deep. Casting plugs involves casting the plug out and across the river and then swinging the plug, or slowly reeling the plug in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Trolling Plugs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Trolling plugs involves moving the boat in a forward direction while pulling plugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can flatline plugs for shallow fishing, or you can run plugs off of a downrigger ball for deeper water fishing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For deep water, you can also use Dipsy Divers or Jet Divers to get your plugs deep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anglers and guides will also use surface side planers to spread the plugs and other lures out to cover more water. See Trolling For Salmon<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Back Bouncing Plugs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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A nice coho salmon caught while plug fishing for salmon. Photo courtesy of Healy Outdoors<\/a> Guide service in New York.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I’m not going to get into it, but back bouncing plugs<\/a> is another method used by anglers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back bouncing involves anchoring your boat above the target areas and using a heavy weight to anchor the plug or drag the plug down the river into the salmon hole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Set-up For Plugs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There is some essential gear that will help you catch more salmon.<\/p>\n\n\n