How to Fish for King Salmon

King salmon are the largest salmon, requiring special equipment and techniques. Their sheer size makes them a challenge to catch, but it's worth it: They're considered the second best salmon to eat, after reds.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Surgical Tubing
• Pencils
• Fishing Lines
• Fishing Lures
• Fishing Poles
• Fishing Reels
• Fishing Tackle
• Fishing Vests
• Salmon Eggs For Fishing

1. Obtain a heavy fishing pole, rated for 25 lbs. or more test line, and a casting reel rated for the same weight.
2. Use flashing lures such as Pixie spoons, Mepps spinners, or vibrating lures combined with cured salmon eggs when fishing for kings.
3. Add weight to the line proportional to the speed of the river so the lure remains in the current just off the bottom.
4. Use 1/4-inch pencil lead for fast-moving rivers. It's available in short lengths or cut from a spool, and attached to the line with a 3-inch length of surgical tubing of the same diameter.

Tips & Warnings

• Use even larger line weight and poles if you're fishing for meat, not for sport.
• King salmon, also called chinook salmon, can be found all along the north Pacific coast, but the most famous king salmon runs occur in Alaskan rivers.
• The current record for king salmon is 97 lbs., but fish of even half that size are relatively rare.
• When salmon begin a run up a freshwater river, they stop eating and will not strike at a lure out of hunger. They appear to strike out of irritation and often pick off loose salmon eggs and carry them in their mouth.
• Kings strike best in faster currents and in overcast or rainy weather.
• Salmon eggs are considered bait, and are illegal on some rivers.
• Regulations on salmon fishing can be complex. Contact your local Department of Fish and Game for a complete list of license fees and fishing regulations.