tim hopkins
Member
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2006
- RO Number
- 24319
- Messages
- 26
how about some input on bait . what would be the best bait to use for lake ontario salmon ?also the best way to fish it ? thank you all ahead of time.....tim
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
bait
- Thread starter tim hopkins
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2004
- RO Number
- 12830
- Messages
- 674
Your local shop probably can refer you to the best bait for the particular season.
On the West coast we use Anchovies or Herring. You want to avoid bait that is freezer burned and stinking. Some of the better bait is blued and laid out on trays carefully. Avoid handling bait if you have been fueling the boat, working with engine oil or putting aftershave on your face.
The moochers will run the boat around sniffing the breeze. When they pick up the scent of anchovies, and they see anchovy oil on the surface, they will start circling the boat, looking for the bait balls the Salmon are feeding on. (using the depthsounder). Upon finding the bait ball, they will drop a frozen anchovy threaded with a proper hook overboard.
The trollers drag a spinning anchovie behind a dodger. The hooks need to be placed behind the anchovie, because most Salmon are pretty clumsy, striking behind the bait. Trolling is a good way to fish early in our season when the bait is scattered.
If good bait is scarce, you may need to fall back on a variety of lures, such as the Apex, Spoons and Plugs.
I cannot emphasize the importance of local knowledge. While crazed fishermen are racing around the bay, thrashing the water looking for fish, the pros are watching. They are noting the plankton bloom, the subtle waves of anchovies feeding on the suface, the scent of bait being torn apart by feeding Salmon, water temperature, the movement of the tides, barometer and moon.
On the West coast we use Anchovies or Herring. You want to avoid bait that is freezer burned and stinking. Some of the better bait is blued and laid out on trays carefully. Avoid handling bait if you have been fueling the boat, working with engine oil or putting aftershave on your face.
The moochers will run the boat around sniffing the breeze. When they pick up the scent of anchovies, and they see anchovy oil on the surface, they will start circling the boat, looking for the bait balls the Salmon are feeding on. (using the depthsounder). Upon finding the bait ball, they will drop a frozen anchovy threaded with a proper hook overboard.
The trollers drag a spinning anchovie behind a dodger. The hooks need to be placed behind the anchovie, because most Salmon are pretty clumsy, striking behind the bait. Trolling is a good way to fish early in our season when the bait is scattered.
If good bait is scarce, you may need to fall back on a variety of lures, such as the Apex, Spoons and Plugs.
I cannot emphasize the importance of local knowledge. While crazed fishermen are racing around the bay, thrashing the water looking for fish, the pros are watching. They are noting the plankton bloom, the subtle waves of anchovies feeding on the suface, the scent of bait being torn apart by feeding Salmon, water temperature, the movement of the tides, barometer and moon.
Tim, It's been a long time since I salmon fished in Lake Ontario. It was on the U.S. side generally near the Rochester area. I think for the most part artificials are the rule. There is a huge variety of spoons and plugs that can either be cast from shore or boat or trolled either on the surface or from down riggers. If you want to bait fish I would suggest trying to get either alewives or smelt. They are the salmon and trout's most common food source in the lake. I would use at least a #4 hook with a slip sinker about 18-20" above. You can use a swivel to keep it above the hook. Drop to bottom with a free spool so the fish can pick up the bait and run with it.
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2002
- RO Number
- 10503
- Messages
- 3,677
If you get frozen Herring from the West coast, use the Green colored packages. Keep em' frozen till use.
I tied my own leaders, using a 3-0 and a 4+0 hook set. You'll need a picture to show you how to rig a whole Herring. Make sure the back hook, is pointed down. Usually the Silvers get hooked on the trailing hook.
You dont have to troll fast, but the bait needs to be moving rapidly. Silvers like the flash and verve. Keep varying the depth and keep the rod tip moving.
I tied a Chain swivel about 18" above the hooks, to keep the line from twisting as you troll.
The total length of the leader was as long as the Rod. No longer.
If your mooching, just let the Bait down free spool, but not completly loose spool.
Then Mooch up a rod length, reel down, mooch up, repeating that till the boat's full of fish.
Bait fish swim in all directions, so you can fish going in all directions.
Try doing "S" turns (If you have the room between other boats) and be on guard as your bait is making the turns.
You must go through a lot of Chain saw blades, making holes in the ice big enough for a Salmon fishing boat.
I tied my own leaders, using a 3-0 and a 4+0 hook set. You'll need a picture to show you how to rig a whole Herring. Make sure the back hook, is pointed down. Usually the Silvers get hooked on the trailing hook.
You dont have to troll fast, but the bait needs to be moving rapidly. Silvers like the flash and verve. Keep varying the depth and keep the rod tip moving.
I tied a Chain swivel about 18" above the hooks, to keep the line from twisting as you troll.
The total length of the leader was as long as the Rod. No longer.
If your mooching, just let the Bait down free spool, but not completly loose spool.
Then Mooch up a rod length, reel down, mooch up, repeating that till the boat's full of fish.
Bait fish swim in all directions, so you can fish going in all directions.
Try doing "S" turns (If you have the room between other boats) and be on guard as your bait is making the turns.
You must go through a lot of Chain saw blades, making holes in the ice big enough for a Salmon fishing boat.