So I have some plugs that have been kicking around the box for awhile without getting much use. I know some guys use them so I am hoping for some advice.

How do you effectively use plugs for salmon trolling? I am looking for leader lengths, mono strengths, flasher/dodger combinations that work, maybe advice on which sizes are the best?

I have been told they are mostly for deep downrigger trolling, is this true? I have some smaller ones that I thought might work for silvers?

Thanks in advance for the advice.

CF

I fish plugs quite a bit and with good success. I usually tie my plug directly to my main line except when fishing for larger kings. Then I will use a 50" piece of heavier leader just to ward off breaking the line on the teeth. I always fish my plugs at least 50' behind my cable. I have caught fish at all depths on plugs. However, one thing I have noticed is that plugs are usually more effective when there's bait present. Also, I have found that for every 4 plugs I buy, usually only one or two of them really catch the fish. When I get a good plug, I guard it with my life. No one else uses it. I generally use 5" plugs but will move to larger 6" and even sometimes 7" especially when targeting kings in the summer. Over the years the mother of pearl (Tomic 603) or variations of that have been my best producers. I have had good success with the cop car plug that came out this past year. You need to have a good speed to fish plugs. No slow trolls or they don't wobble right. I have had great success fishing them at the same time I fish a flasher and squid, spoon or bait combination.

What Hoghunter said, and I will add that Plugs start to dart back on forth 3-5 feet at higher speeds. This is the action you want. You wont want a slow wobble like you may see when you water test them at the boat, they should zip back and forth like a Rapala does. 0-3 mph, you have the wobble, go 4-5 and the plug will work correctly.

I also mainline to a 50# 6 foot leader via a heavy bead chain.

Do you have DR's?

One of the best kept secrets in the Sound... Plugs for Silvers! ... quality BM (or Kings) will definitely hit a well tuned plug!

I would not advocate the use of a flasher (or dodger) when using a plug. It will throw the correct action off considerably.

Concur with the above post- speed is crucial. When I fished commercially, it wasn't uncommon to troll spoons and plugs at 6 to 8 knots. Fire up them RPMs!

If you want adding vibration and flash in the water, add a lake troll to the ball. This is one heck of a combination that is far too often overlooked among anglers in the Puget Sound!

Match the size of your plug to the natural's....

Your drop back off the DR release should be at a minimum of 40 feet. 50-70 is even better!

If you do not have DRs, I would recommend a Metzer type sinker roughly 10 feet above the plug.

Do not tie your mainline directly to the front of the eye post. On top utilizing a River's Inlet know will add additional action..

Hang on! Hits and hook-ups at faster than normal trolling speeds are absolutely heart-stopping.

I do have downriggers on the boat. I have been using your standard rigs with good success on the sound. I just wanted to try out all of the plugs I have picked up over the last 20 years or so. They look good and like something a big King would chomp, I just never gave them much water time. Thanks for the advice I will try them next time out and report back!

CF

CF,

One other item I forgot to mention...

It is hard to find a decent producing plug- not all are the same. This is including the same manufacture, color, style, etc... Every plug is different!

You might find 1 in 10 to consistently put fish in the boat. When you do find that special plug, do not alter it in any way!

Put the rest on eBay- someone will buy them!

CF,

One other item I forgot to mention...

It is hard to find a decent producing plug- not all are the same. This is including the same manufacture, color, style, etc... Every plug is different!

You might find 1 in 10 to consistently put fish in the boat. When you do find that special plug, do not alter it in any way!

Put the rest on eBay- someone will buy them!

CF,

One other item I forgot to mention...

It is hard to find a decent producing plug- not all are the same. This is including the same manufacture, color, style, etc... Every plug is different!

You might find 1 in 10 to consistently put fish in the boat. When you do find that special plug, do not alter it in any way!

Put the rest on eBay- someone will buy them!