How to Fish for Salmon With Jigs From a Dock
Salmon fishing with jigs from a dock is a simple and inexpensive way to catch this delicious game fish. Since the fishing occurs from a fixed position, plunking is an effective technique for using jigs. Plunking is essentially still fishing from a riverbank, but in this case involves a dock. The jig is fished off the bottom of a river, with an occasional twitch to draw the attention of passing salmon. Additional sinker weights besides the jig head can be used to hold the bottom in fast-moving water.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Rod and reel spooled with line
- Three-way swivels
- Jigs with hook, sizes 1/0 to 4/0
- Pyramid sinker weights
- Fishing license and salmon permit, where required
Instructions
-
-
1
Tie a three-way swivel to the end of the main line using a clinch knot. An illustration of the knot is linked in Resources below.
-
2
Connect a length of leader line about 18 inches (regular fishing line cut to the desired length) to one of the remaining loops on the three-way swivel, using a clinch knot.
-
-
3
Tie a jig to the other end of the leader line. Chartreuse (greenish-yellow) jigs are effective for catching salmon.
-
4
Cast the line from the dock and allow the jig to sink to the bottom. Watch the line in the water. If the line begins moving in the direction of the current, it means the jig is not holding the bottom. Reel in.
-
5
Tie a second length of fishing line from the third loop in the three-way swivel to a pyramid sinker. The distinctive pointed shape of the sinker helps it bite into the riverbed to hold the line in the desired spot in fast water.
-
6
Cast the jig and allow to sink to the bottom. Reel in slack line and twitch the rod tip occasionally to jerk the jig off the bottom so it can flutter down again in imitation of a baitfish in distress.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Check local regulations on permits and licensing before going fishing. Salmon season varies by locality, as well as restrictions on techniques, baits and lures, and minimum size limits of the catch.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit jig bait on the coast image by Kokhanchikov from Fotolia.com
