Ok.... Blackmouth season is upon us! A couple questions if I may?

I heard that a good trolling speed in the Sound for salmon is about 2-3 knots... help a rookie...how fast is that? What is the conversion formula to MPH?

Also, when jigging for salmon off the shelf where it drops to literal oblivion (400 + feet!) how deep should i be jigging? or should i be jigging on the shallow end of the shelf?

Thanks in advance for the help!

We normally troll from 2.5 to 3 mph.

The speed is an issue when you are using a flasher/hootchie or flasher/bucktail combo, and even then its not exact. For these setups the most common leader length used is 30 to 34 inches, but everyone has there preference. If you are in an area with alot of current, you have to adjust your speed/leader length accordingly. 2.5 to 3 knots just gives you an idea on about the speed you should go.

A knot and MPH are close enough that at slow speeds there is no difference you would need to wory about.

If you are using herring, troll fast that 2-3 mph when your looking for bait, but once you find it, troll around it as slow as possible as long as you get that good spin on your herring. Present the salmon with the easiest meal they can find.

Jig where the bait is, depth does not matter.

Rookie

To get miles per hour from knots; multiply knots by 1.151 For most of our purposes, consider them the same. Trolling speed will depend on a number of things like the type of salmon you are fishing for (faster for coho and blackmouth, a bit slower for kings), the type of gear you are trolling and the tides or currents.
As far as jigging in 400' for salmon, I don't know anyone who does, though some commercial trollers get down pretty deep. Most of the salmon fishing that I'm aware of takes place in the top 200' of water. It is very tough to fish deeper due to the weights involved and currents. For jigging, concentrate on 90 - 140' where a bank drops off. Fish near the bottom unless you see schools of bait fish suspended. Mid Channel Bank, Jeff Head and the edges of Possession Bar would be good places to try jigging for blackmouth. I haven't checked the regs yet, but I think they are all open on Feb 16. I would recommend that you either take a salmon fishing course or join a club like Puget Sound Anglers or other similar club. It will cut your learning curve way back.

Good luck
Scott

Thanks for the info...

so...tell me more about these "salmon fishing classes." Where do i sign up for something like that?

I've already been out on a couple of guided trips (in the fall).... are you referring to something else?

Thanks

Rookie,

There is a day long Saturday seminar on February 24th being held in Renton. Tom Nelson, long-time salmon fishing instructor from Highline and Bellevue Community Colleges, along with John Keizer, Joe Pecaro (sp), Tom Pollack and others. Topics covered will include all types of salmon fishing; mooching, jigging, and downrigger fishing. Halibut and bottomfish techniques will also be covered...eight hours of instruction-60 bucks. I have not taken the class but the reports I have heard are good.. Contact Tom Nelson (206)-772-6882 or John Keizer (253) 565-6598...I would also second the suggestion to join PSA (Puget Sound Anglers)...the website for their newsletter is www.thereelnews.com.

Tight Lines!

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Check out the classes also being offered at the Seattle Poggie Club. Contact Bob Maas at (206) 784-3419 for cost and details. 5 classes every Monday in April. They cover topics like trolling, electronics, jigging, mooching, etc. Also cover saltwater and freshwater (lakes and rivers) in Washington. Tell him you heard of the class from the internet...