Salmon Fishing Gear

Salmon are a coastal running fish that can be found along beaches, headlands, inshore bommies, bays and estuaries. They are a schooling species that often travel in huge numbers which makes for some exciting fishing. Often if bait is in the area, the salmon won't be fair away, regardless of its location.

Being a pelagic species, salmon are a great lure fishing target. Any presentation that imitates a small baitfish will generally produce fish. Metal spinners, bibbed divers, soft plastics, poppers, vibes and even flies are all viable options. The most effective retrieves are often fast and very erratic to represent a fleeing baitfish.

Salmon are also able to be successfully targeted while bait fishing. Whole baits like pilchards and squid produce the best results, but any oily flesh would be a good option. Baits can be rigged on ganged or snelled hooks for best hook coverage, and can be fished on either a trace and ball sinker rig or a paternoster style rig.

Salmon are energetic hard fighters that will often make long hard runs and even take to the air in some cases. They aren't particularly dirty fighters so it is possible to catch them on quite light tackle, but medium strength outfits in the 6-10kg range would be a more fitting. Salmon don't have sharp teeth so leader only needs to be in the 20-30lb range. To find out more on how to catch Australian salmon check out what our BCFing experts have to say!