1. **Know the Depths**: Salmon often swim at certain depths depending on the time of year, water temperature, and food availability. Use a fish finder to locate schools of salmon and adjust your downrigger to target those depths. Generally, during warmer months, salmon can be found deeper, often between 50 to 150 feet.
2. **Use the Right Weight**: The weight on your downrigger is crucial. If you're fishing deeper, use heavier weights to maintain your depth in strong currents. A 10- to 12-pound weight is common for deeper waters, while lighter weights can be used in shallower areas.
3. **Choose the Right Lures**: When using downriggers, opt for lures that mimic the natural prey of salmon. Popular choices include spoons, flashers, and hootchies. Experiment with colors and sizes; sometimes, a specific color can make all the difference.
4. **Maintain Speed**: Salmon are often attracted to certain speeds. A trolling speed of 2.0 to 3.5 mph is generally effective. Adjust your speed based on the responsiveness of the fish. If you’re not getting bites, try varying your speed slightly.
5. **Monitor Your Line**: Keep an eye on the line tension as you deploy your downrigger. If you feel too much resistance, it could indicate that your lure is snagged, or if it goes slack, it might mean a fish has taken your bait.
6. **Use Multiple Downriggers**: If you have the capability, use multiple downriggers to cover different depths at once. This increases your chances of finding where the fish are biting.
7. **Be Patient and Persistent**: Salmon fishing can require a lot of patience. If you’re not getting bites, don’t be afraid to change your lure, adjust your depth, or even move to a different location.
8. **Safety First**: Always ensure that your downrigger setup is secure, and be mindful of your surroundings, especially when deploying and retrieving lines. Safety should always be your top priority.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to a successful salmon fishing trip using downriggers. Happy fishing!
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