The Common Techniques to Catch Coho Salmon

Coho Salmon, also known as silver salmon or silvers, are popular fish located in western regions of the USA. We can catch silvers from California to Alaska, with the species being popular in Oregon.

If you want to target and catch Coho Salmon, you’re in the right place. We will show you the most common techniques to catch Coho Salmon, so read on!

The Common Techniques to Catch Coho Salmon

Coho Salmon are part of the pacific salmon family, known for their white gums and black tongues. Their bodies can be silver, red, or wine, depending on their age and gender, while their heads and back are usually dark blue-green.

Coho salmon would weigh between 5-15 pounds and measure about 17-24 inches long. However, there are more significant varieties of Coho Salmon that can weigh over 30 pounds, measuring up to 38 inches long.

So, how can you successfully capture this fish? Here are the common techniques to catch Coho Salmon:

Figure out where and when to fish

In Oregon, the best areas to go Coho Salmon fishing in are ocean waters with a surface temperature of 52-56 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s the temperature before the sun begins warming the waters for the day. If the water temperatures are a bit higher, you can still catch Coho, though it may take a bit more time and effort.

You should also check for any trash lines and current edges at the water surface. The edges concentrate small fish and plankton, with bigger Coho feeding on them. Just make sure you don’t go too deep, running your gear in the prop wash.

Let out only enough line for the gear to drop below where you can see it, about 6-12 feet down. You can run gear deeper if you aren’t producing any bites; tough Coho feeds closer to the water surface.

What gear should you use?

You can’t catch Coho salmon successfully without the right gear! Here are our gear recommendations for better success:

• Rods – We recommend spinning gear setups or conventional rods. Anglers might even carry multiple rods made for different fishing techniques. Either way, opt for a medium to heavy rod with moderate to heavy action.
• Reels – If you use a spinning rod and reel, an 8’6 to 9’6 long rod is best, as long as it can handle 100 yards of a 10-15lb test line. If you’re targeting larger Coho salmon, we recommend a conventional rod and reel of the same length, though you can get a shorter one as needed.
• Fishing line – We recommend using an 8-15 lb test line for lighter spinning rods and reels. Opt for a 15-20 lb test line if you’re casting heavy. You can choose branded, monofilament, or fluorocarbon line, depending on your preference.
• Hooks – People commonly fish Coho salmon with treble and octopus hooks. Opt for a size smaller than you’d use for other salmon, such as size 4 to 2/0, depending on the bait size.
• Lures and baits – We recommend using plugs for waters with little to no current, spoons during the spawning season, or salmon eggs, which Coho salmon love. You can use spinners, which aren’t as popular when Coho salmon fishing, but they work if used properly. As for color, opt for a bright fluorescent chartreuse lure to attract Coho salmon.

Increase the casting distance

Coho salmon are easily spooked by boats, so if you go boat fishing, whether on your own or with charters, then you must be a bit sneaky! If you’re too loud, you end up spooking Coho, so you’re less likely to get a bite.

Avoid scaring fish by using a longer rod to increase the casting distance. Or, you can fish along the bank once you know where fish are holding.

Spot activity properly

When Coho makes their runs, you should watch out for any activity, preparing yourself to look for new locations.

Jumping Coho in the area is a good sign though you may find it difficult catching them. You should also lookout for any gull activity near the water surface, which means the fish are hunting something. That may mean you found the spot Coho salmon are holding!

If you’re totally new to fishing and spotting activity, we recommend joining a fishing charter. They have a professional crew to take you to the waters where your targeted fish species are, even teaching you how to catch Coho!

Bonus Tips

Here are other extra tips and techniques to follow for a better chance at catching Coho Salmon:

• Do NOT pick the rod up, lower the tip, then yank back. There’s no need to set a hook on Coho salmon. If you’re trolling, then the boat and fish are taking care of this part.
• Never raise the tip of your rod, which gets Coho jumping. Jumping Coho ends up becoming lost Coho.
• Keep tension on your line. Please don’t drop the rod tip for gaining line unless you feel it the entire time.
• If you feel you lost a potential catch, then reel as quickly as you can! Coho would usually run towards the boat, thinking you lost them. Maybe you lost, but perhaps not, so it’s worth trying.
• When you’re trolling for Coho Salmon, make sure you go fast! This is common mistake beginner anglers commit when targeting Coho Salmon using hoochies or spoons. Troll at about 3-6 mph, only slowing down if you’re using plug cut or whole bait to avoid tearing it.
• Nothing will work every single time. Don’t hesitate to switch techniques up if you don’t get any bites while other anglers are. You can change the trolling speed, the direction of trailing, depth, attractors, lures, or begin again.

Wrapping It Up

Hopefully, this article on the common techniques to catch Coho Salmon gave insight on what to prepare and do once you’re in the waters. If you’re looking for a fishing charter to guide you to the areas with Coho salmon, feel free to contact us for more information!