Fishing for Salmon on the Flats

Seems like there is lots of posts here on salmon fishing in deeper water here, but not much on what to do in 2-10 feet of water.  I've been fishing the tidal flats for coho in the Hood Canal with some success, but would love to figure out what works and what doesn't.  Mostly I have been in my SOT kayak, but have also tried using waders or just from the shore.  I can see lots of fish jumping at times, but haven't seen much of a catch rate either by myself or from others in kayaks or other boats.



Here is my best fish so far caught from my kayak casting almost onto the shore from out in deeper water.  I also caught two smaller ones, including my record small coho at under 12"   There are lots of small streams and tidal flats, most seem to have a mix of salmon and cutthroat trout.   Lots of times you see the salmon jump within a few feet of shore where I once would have thought no large fish would be found. 

I've tried  a spinning rig casting Buzz Bombs, various spoons and spinners, and am trying to get my fly casting back to where it was half a decade ago. 

Any suggestions on how I can be more effective would be appreciated.  I figure the fish will continue to be there in and around the flats until it rains. 

Specific questions include what size and colors of Buzz Bombs and/or other lures, tackle and rigging specifics, and best tidal times and time of day.    Smooth, even retrive or a jerk and wobble retrieve?  Cast right at jumping fish or try an cast to where I think they might be swimming to?

So far I have caught fish on incoming tides just before high tide in the afternoon or evening using white/pink and orange Buzz Bombs using a fairly smooth and even retrieve.   No luck in the early morning within a half hour before or after sunrise, but I have a neighbor who has done well an hour or two after sunrise.
 
So many fish, so little time...

Cool man! Sounds like you're doing alright. Coho can be frustrating, especially when they are so visible like that. When they have lockjaw, nothing will get them. But there are those few times when the bite it on and they will hit almost anything.

I think buzz bombs of the 2.5" variety in silver or pink pearl (or combo) are a good bet. Downsize to 2" if you're not getting any action.

I cast right at jumpers leading them a bit. If the bite is on, they will hit. Otherwise casting where you think they will be is good. I personally like the jigging-like retrieve you mentioned. Buzz bombs are great for that.

Have you tried pulling around a orange or red label cut plug herring? That might be worth a try a small crescent sinker and double-hook arrangement is good. You can add a low-drag flasher (like a konezone), which might help. If you want to stay stationary, i've heard a herring under a float works quite well, though I haven't tried it myself.

I would think first light would be a good time. Otherwise, try fishing thru tide changes. From at least 1hr before to 1hr after.

Anyway, sounds like you're on the right track. Some more experienced salmon guys on here might have some other ideas. Report back how ya do!

I've had success trolling pink spoons for shallow coho. I like the coyote spoon, about 3".  For some reason I get a lot more on pink than any other color. Use a good swivel about 6' up the line.  I never use more than 1/2 oz of weight, if any at all. If you have a fast-action rod the tip should wobble when you hit just the right speed to make the spoon work, and you can tell if you snag weeds as the twitch action of the rod tip stops. I also use a heavier spoon or mini candlefish lure with hook removed and chain swivels on each end as a teaser about 5 or 6 feet up the line.  But I agree with Rory, if they aren't on the bite there's not much you can do even when they are jumping all around you.  Good luck.

I haven't been out yet but had the same experience last year. Fish jumping all around and no bites. Just from reading magazine articles and forums it sounds like pink hardware is the ticket. I have amassed an arsenal of pink spoons and spinners for my next encounter.

Pink or Red Blue Fox Spinners are Killers.  If you can't buy a bite, try switching up to a Black on Black Blue Fox with a fast retrieve.

-Spot-

Thanks for all the comments and advice.  I was out this morning but didn't see much fish activity and had no luck.

Am I right in thinking that smaller Buzz Bombs 2-2.5" are probably more effective than the 3-4" ones? 

I'll try some Blue Fox spinners and a Coyote spoon or two.  I give it a try again this weekend and report back the results.

silvers like small baits! (except when they prefer larger  ;-)  )

Pine Cone - where you fishing?

Pine Cone - where you fishing?

Sorry for the delay, but sometimes life gets in the way of fishing and posting about fishing

I'm mostly fishing Squamish Harbor just south of the Hood Canal bridge because it is where I live. 

Tried a variety of things in the last couple of weeks.  Fewer fish than in late September, but they are still around.  Tonight you could see the tribes fishing just south of the Hood Canal bridge with big boats with nets. 

Last week I fished some, had no luck at all.  One night last week I was out on the flats in about 2-3 feet of water in my waders, surrounded by fish.  I tried flies, buzz bombs, and some others, but while I could get some nice fish following my flies or lures, no bites.   It was like  I was fishing for phantom salmon.  You could see them jump, you could see their fins sticking out of the water, you could see their wakes as they followed the lure.  Totally exciting, totally frustrating.

This afternoon I had a feeling that the change in the weather might make it an evening to fish, so I left work at 4pm and was on the water by about 5.  Lots of junk in the water due to the weekend storms, so I gave up on the tide flats and tried some places along the shore.  My current belief is that to catch lock-jaw coho you have to take all the advantages you have available to you, so I have been using lots of scent lately, either herring or sand shrimp on my lures.  Tonight the magic combination was a 2 1/2" orange buzz bomb cast within a few feet of the shore with sand shrimp scent on it.  The result is in the picture below...



I also caught a couple of cut-throat in the same spot.  With luck I will try again in the next few days, but since it is deer season I'm not sure how to split my time between hunting and fishing.  Choices, choices

Excellent work, PC! I agree with you on your approach.

If I were hungry for venison, I'd whack one of the does that come up to our porch to eat the wife's plantings....could maybe make a trail of corn up to the oven. Just sayin....