By Lauren Wise
Alaska is well-known for fishing, where you can catch King, silver, red or pink salmon. The King salmon is the official fish of the state of Alaska. In the Kenai River, King salmon commonly weigh in at 50 pounds. If you want to land such big delicious salmon but have never been salmon fishing in Alaska, it is important to know some key tips.
Use Sturdy Tackle
To catch Alaskan salmon, use a thick fishing line that has a sturdy knot so it won't break when you are wrestling with the fish. The rod should be about 7-9 feet long, with large tackle and a heavy bases, and a spinning or bait-casting reel for the smoothest drag. Having this type of equipment will let you focus on reeling in the salmon instead of worrying about your equipment snapping.
Bait
You can use live bait or artificial lures to catch Alaskan salmon, depending on where you are. In freshwater, live bait is best to use, while in saltwater, artificial lures may be more efficient. These include cut herring or herring attractors, or a float with prawns roe or small shrimp. You can also use flashers, Kwikfish, Wiggle Warts, Flatfish, TadPolly and salmon egg clusters.
Fish At The Local Spots
Go where the locals go. But one place you must visit is the Kenai River. Other freshwater locations include Crooked Creek, Anchor River, Kasilof River, Deep Creek and the Ninilchick River. Nine out of 10 of the top King salmon record holders were fished from the Kenai. Saltwater locations are from Anchor Point to the mouth of the Kenai River.
Technique
In saltwater, use trolling weights and diving lures. Or you can use downriggers set at various depths to increase the chances of catching a salmon. You can also try backtrolling or backbouncing with weights, or spooning off bottom rocks. If you are fly-fishing, use attractor flies, and if you are bank fishing, be aware that you need to run as hard as you can when you hook a salmon in order to haul it in.
When To Go
This best time to fish for salmon in Alaska, be it saltwater or freshwater, is from May to August during the migration to spawning streams. It is during this time that they follow the coastline waterway and then head up streams or rivers.
Resources
About the Author:
Lauren Wise has more than eight years' experience as a writer, editor, copywriter and columnist. She specializes in food, wine, music and pop culture. Her writing has appeared in various magazines, including "Runway," "A2Z," "Scottsdale Luxury Living" and "True West." Wise holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Arizona State University.
