Salmon Fishing

Dakota tackle can help you out,  also Scotts Bait in Pick City has a good selection.   Scott is usually around in the morning and can help you out.    People fish mostly an 11 inch rotating flasher in front of a plastic squid.  A few use Herring.   The most popular colors are blue and white.  Pink and green are a couple of other colors that are used. 

I usually have my riggers down about 65-75ft.   Next month when fish start staging for the spawn people start pulling cranks closer to shore and not as deep.   If you have a marine radio there is usually some chatter on there.   Most of the boats seem to put in at Goverment Bay and people are usually pretty helpful.    These fish are going to die whether they are caught or not. 

Has anyone tried verticle jigging for them, ie hammered spoons or the "ice fishing" Rapala?  Is there any reason not to try this technique?

Take an FB member that is seasoned in salmon fishing out for a day and you'll learn alot.

It a rough year to learn. Salmon tourney had 35 teams and many are dedicated salmon anglers. There was a seven pounder, a three pounder and a 00.28 pounder caught in eight hours of fishing. Fish numbers down (but kinda rebuilding) plus think fish are still west. With so much water coming in they probably ran like the dickens. Issue is not that many and plenty of grub for them so challenging regardless.

My point is learning the ropes isn't too challenging. You have gotten good tips and I would strongly suggest you get in touch with the great planers club. Just google them here in north Dakota. Now back on point fishing could frustrate you but just remember the shape sak is in so you don't get upset and quit because you think you aren't doing something right.

There will probably be a little bite shortly but it might end up being more of the crank bite mentioned earlier. Like I said contact the club and you will get loads of info.

I marked alot of big fish suspended chasing smelt south of shell this weekend.  I'd guess they were salmon. 

just remember salmon don't need to be hungry to bite.  I find its best to make them angry.  Hot pinks, and fluorescent oranges, big loud n flashy.

eyexer Said:
I marked alot of big fish suspended chasing smelt south of shell this weekend.  I'd guess they were salmon. 

Probably a good bet, we caught two sunday on cranks in that general area.

Thanks for the help, and keep it coming.  Just wanted to try something new as far as fishing goes.  Did it a few years ago, and cought them on the crank bite and it was a blast.  Just seems no one wants to carry anything to catch them in Minot.

All4eyes Said:
Thanks for the help, and keep it coming.  Just wanted to try something new as far as fishing goes.  Did it a few years ago, and cought them on the crank bite and it was a blast.  Just seems no one wants to carry anything to catch them in Minot.

Go online and order the tackle.  Luhr Jensen makes some great choices.

Any place you reccomend for tackle?

bright fluorescen pink, orange, and yellow spoons of different styles & sizes are some of my favorites for casting. Also tough to beat fresh collected eggs from a previously caught female under a bobber.