Re: Salmon on the fly SF CA Coast

Posted by Mike W on 2012-03-19 16:00:51 in reply to Salmon on the fly SF CA Coast posted by Paul on 2012-03-19 13:24:55

I have managed to catch a few salmon on the fly in the Bodega Bay area but the catches were incidental at best. On each occasion, I was trolling with conventional gear, hooked up and then tossed in a baitfish pattern (blue and white Deceiver in my case) on a sinking fly line while a fish was being fought on the conventional tackle. Every time, the fish ate the fly on the drop, much like mooching for salmon. I suspect that with a little effort, dead drifting or a slowly retrieving a fly through the bottom side of a bait ball might be real effective. The key is to get over the fish first. It's a big ocean. Later in the season towards August, salmon will move in tight to shore in 50 to 70 feet of water, that might be a good time to target them. Regarding hooks, I don't know for certain either but following the general conventional tackle regs is likely your safest bet. Barbless in any case, circle hooks if you're dead drifting, regular barbless if you're trolling a fly. Good luck. Let us know if you stick any.

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