Fall Chinook Starting To Enter Coastal Rivers
With the recent rains over the weekend, fall chinook are entering the lower coastal rivers in fishable numbers. And while peak numbers are still about a month away, it is definitely worth fishing now. Here’s a few tips that can help you make the most of your early-season trips in the river:
Concentrate On The Incoming Tide
Correlate your time on the water with incoming tides. With water temperatures in the 60’s and 70’s, the incoming tide brings a cool layer of water into the river along the bottom. This is where the fish are. Troll with the tide and keep your presentation down low, in the cooler water. This gives you the best chance of putting your offering in front of the fish. Also, make sure you’re trolling as slow as you can. Hang a sea anchor or 5-gallon bucket off the back of the boat on a short rope. This slows down the boat (and your bait) enough to entice a strike.
Look For Bait In the Lower River
Despite what you hear or read, salmon are still feeding on herring and other bait fish while in the bay and lower river. If you see large schools of bait, salmon will be in the area. Using your fish finder to scope out schools of bait is one of the best uses for this device. Concentrate your fishing efforts where bait is present. Bird activity also can tell you where the bait is.
Herring and Spinners Are Top Producers
Cut-plug herring and spinners (all different types) are top fall chinook-producing baits. While fish are caught on herring straight out of the pack, your bait will last much longer and look much better if you brine it ahead of time. Give yourself every advantage on the water by taking care of your bait! After brining I usually freeze my herring in small quantities (10-12 fish in a plastic bag). I find that slightly frozen bait cuts much better. Keep your bait cold all day in a small cooler, and keep the rest frozen in a separate cooler. If you don’t use all your bait, you can toss the other unused bags back in the freezer for your next trip.
When using spinners, use a little scent for better results. ProCure™ makes a terrific product that stays on spinners and wobblers a long time. Their Herring Gel product can be spread on the spinner blade and will last several passes.
Check Your Bait Often While Fishing
Fish won’t take a bait fouled by weeds, Eelgrass and other debris. Check your bait regularly to make sure its not fouled. Watching your rod tip carefully will tell the whole story: spinners should make a sensitive rod tip “tic” slightly. A fouled spinner means no movement of the rod tip. Also, if the rod tip is bent more than usual, it usually means your dragging some salad with your herring.
See You On The Water,
Action Jackson
(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)
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