The Best Techniques For Salmon Season

As autumn approaches the southwest of Western Australia and the summer easterly winds finally start to dissipate the cooling weather triggers the mighty "grey nomad" migration northward in search of warmer weather. However, something else also starts to stir with the change of seasons! Something that gets the blood of many West Aussie surf and rock fishers pumping with excitement!

Triggered by the overwhelming urge to breed and further persuaded by the strengthening Leeuwin current and its promise of warmer water. Hordes of hungry Australian salmon start making their way along south-coast heading northward to spawn, in turn creating one of Western Australia's great natural sportfishing events... Salmon Season!

With the fish moving in such large numbers along the coast, often forming large "football field" sized schools numbering in the thousands. Salmon season provides fishers of all skill levels with a great chance at tangling with these iconic Australian sport fish. However, with so many techniques available to the modern angler it can be difficult picking the right technique (and tackle) to target the fish you're after. So, as you read on, let us break the choices down and give you the best chance at picking the technique and tackle to get you onto a salmon this season!

Let's start by dividing salmon fishing into two main styles, each having their own unique "vibe" and providing two completely different but equally enjoyable experiences!

The first we like to call…

Bait & Wait

This style is perfect for those wanting to chill out on a beach and have a brew (or soft drink) while chasing a fish. The technique aims to maximise relaxation while maintaining fishing efficiency and this makes it perfect for family outings, beginners, social gatherings and non-migratory grey nomads.

The technique. As the name would suggest, involves picking a single location to do your fishing from. Casting out a fresh bait, throwing the rod in a holder and enjoying the scenery while waiting for a bite. This takes advantage of the migratory nature of the salmon, which are constantly moving along the coast and lets them come to you! So rather than worrying about the rising cost of fuel and the growing amount of km's spent chasing salmon around the coast you can focus on having a line in the water and enjoying the beach.

Don't let its sedentary nature fool you though, this fishing style is deadly effective! By staying put you are allowing the scent from your bait to spread out and draw fish into your area! You can also add burley as well (providing there are no swimmers around) to further increase your chances. This also has the added benefit of producing a myriad of by-catch species such as flathead, tarwhine, tailor, mulloway, whiting and shark!

Tackle to suit the "bait and wait" fisher-person doesn't need to be expensive either! A decent quality 10 to 12ft surf combo to get your line above the waves and maximise your casting distance is the first step. Add to that a couple of pre-tied salmon rigs, a fresh packet of "mulies" (pilchards) and somewhere to store your catch like an esky or bucket and you're almost ready to go! Last of all, a PVC rod holder to keep your reel out of the sand and you'll now be ready to hit the beach and catch a salmon! You can follow the links below to a few combos and rigs we recommend!

Does sitting around sound a bit… boring? Or perhaps even the idea of fishing with the family drives you crazy? Maybe you want to combine fitness and fishing into one complete hobby…..

Well then, allow us to introduce technique number two!

Run & Gun

Essentially the ADHD version of salmon fishing, the "run and gun" style doesn't do sitting still!

Rod holders and beach chairs have no place here… Instead, we opt for mobility! Actively tracking your prey down, moving from gutter to gutter, beach to beach and headland to headland. Taking the pro-active approach rather than waiting for the salmon to come to you allows you to cover a lot of ground and adapt to changing conditions with speed and efficiency.

Because of this, the "run and gun" technique lends itself perfectly to lure fishing! By switching the bait and sinkers out for a handful of lures you can minimise the weight you carry while maximising your ability to fish on the move. Lures like metal slices, poppers and stick-baits are extremely effective on Australian salmon, make for awesome visual strikes and offer great castability in most conditions.

Best Salmon Fishing Gear

Keeping your kit lightweight doesn't just end with your choice of terminal tackle and to get the most enjoyable experience selecting a suitable outfit is key. A graphite spinning outfit between 8 to 10ft in length and around 6-10kg line rating is the perfect balance between weight and castability. Matching this with a 4000-6000 sized spinning reel filled with 15 to 30lb braided line will also help to increase your cast distance and the extra sensitivity braid provides will help you stay in touch with your lure even in heavy surf.

Tackle aside there are two more items that are a must-have for the angler on the move. The first is a decent tackle backpack/sling large enough to fit a couple of tackle trays, pliers, a drink bottle and some leader. The second is a solid pair of reef shoes, these will help traverse the limestone sections of reef so common along the south-coast and add a little protection against hooks, spikes and the odd rogue bluebottle!

Get All The Best Salmon Fishing Gear At Anaconda

So what type of salmon hunting technique resonates with you? Chilling on the beach with the family or donning the reef boots and continuing to work off those holiday season treats? I know I'll personally be puffing my way along the reef wishing I hadn't eaten that extra servo snack on the drive out! We hope you found the above information helpful and whatever style you choose good luck from the team at Anaconda Albany, we wish you a successful "Salmon Season". Check out our Adventure Centre for more helpful fishing articles such as:

• The Benefits Of Using A Fish Finder
• Top 5 Barra Lures
• A Guide To Fishing For Yellowtail Kingfish
• Top 10 Lures For Catching Trout

Find your local Anaconda store and check out our extensive fishing range for your next outdoor adventure