Alaska Salmon Fishing Lures, Baits
and Tackle for Freshwater Rivers
Flashtrap
Spinners: Salmon Catching Lures Flashtrap Spinners are proven fish
catching lures and salmon slayers - so effective numerous local charter
captains and fishing guides fish them extensively for several Alaska fish
species. Fishtale River Guides assembles Flashtraps in Alaska, and they are
available locally through 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle in Wasilla (907) 373-5434.
For top quality fishing tackle, a knowledgeable sales staff, and up to date
fishing reports stop by the Three Rivers tackle shop and see their full
selection of Flashtrap Spinners.
What
Professional Fishermen say about Flashtrap Spinners
I have used Flashtrap Spinners for years both
professionally and personally. I have fished them from the lakes and streams of
the Mat-Su Valley to the Sub-Arctic rivers around Nome. I have found them to be
effective on everything from kings and silvers to pike and grayling. The choice
of single or treble hook coupled with the wide assortment of color combinations
and sizes make them a prime choice for everyone's tackle box. -- Bruce Knowles,
Big Fisherman Charters, 1997 Alaska Sports Fisherman of the Year.
Flashtrap spinners catch salmon so well that I use them
exclusively on my charters when we're casting lures for salmon. -- Greg Accord,
Accord Guide Service Wasilla, Alaska.
We've found your Flashtrap spinners to be our most
productive lure for catching silver salmon. -- Greg Evans, Salmon Ready
Outfitters and Guides Wasilla, Alaska
Your Flashtrap spinners are quality lures that catch fish.
They are one of our best sellers. -- Mike Hudson, manager, 3 Rivers Fly and
Tackle. Wasilla, Alaska.
Everlasting Slip Bobber -
Having fished many brands of floats or bobbers over several years time, ESBs -
everlasting slip bobbers - have proven the most durable, easy to use, and
economical bobbers our guide service has ever used. Click on the ESB image below
to learn more about this superior product at the
HLOutdoors website. -- Andy
Couch, Fishtale Owner
Float or Bobber fishing for Alaska salmon. Here's a slip bobber technique that has proven extremely successful for
our guide service when fishing Alaska rivers for king and silver salmon. For
best results we anchor a boat above a long straight run of consistent depth
water. Next we rig and adjust slip bobbers so they suspend salmon eggs (roe)
inches above the river bottom. In slower and shallower water salmon eggs can
be fished without weight, while in deeper or quicker runs a few split shot
helps keep the bait near bottom. After positioning the boat and adjusting
our bobber rigs we simply drop the floats and bait behind the boat and let
the current drift them through the run. It is important to keep the bobber
drifting freely with the current, while fishing, because if the reel is
engaged the bobber drags, and current will kick the bait up, near the
surface, and away from the primary salmon catching zone.
We prefer fishing large brightly-colored bobbers, like a
size 5 or 6 ESB, because they will float a lunker-sized gob of salmon eggs,
along with a double hook rig, and a couple split shot, while riding high enough
in the water to be visible a considerable distance behind the boat. How far do
we let bobbers drift? On a long straight run we may release more than 100 yards
of line from the reels while fishing. In fact, we've hooked several salmon at
the very end of our lines, and partially because monofilament and even super
braided lines stretch , we've never broken a line in this situation. However,
when fishing baits under floats to the end of your lines, it is good idea to
bring an extra fishing outfit or spare spool of line just in case.
Advantages for fishing slip bobbers and bait straight
behind the boat are: #1. You can fish a large amount of water quickly and
thoroughly in a short amount of time, and #2. You will experience little slack
line bellying in the current unless your bobber stops. When a salmon starts
eating your salmon eggs and the bobber begins dancing on the surface, you should
hook more salmon if you wait until the fish pulls the bobber completely
underwater, before setting your hooks. In fact, even allowing a little slack
line to drift downstream of the bobber before setting the hooks may be the best
technique, as the downstream belly formed in the line pulls hooks back into the
corner of a salmon's mouth as it faces upriver mooching your bait. While waiting
a few moments after your bobber disappears before setting hooks often produces
more hookups, if your bobber suddenly jerks underwater or torpedoes sideways
across the water's surface, set the hooks immediately! Your salmon has felt a
hook, and is running around trying to get rid of it.
I never would have guessed longlining bobbers and bait for
salmon could be so much fun. When we get on a good school of salmon, and the
bite is on, everyone in the boat starts watching each bobber as they float down
river. When a bobber goes down, fishermen may forget which bobber is their own,
and two or three people sometimes jerk back in unison hoping to catch one fish.
On other occasions fishermen get so excited they jerk to set hooks, before
engaging their reel, and instead of hooking a salmon, big coils of loose line
spring off the reel. Then there are times when three or four bobbers pull under
simultaneously, everybody hooks up, and people are scrambling all over the boat
trying to keep their lines from tangling, as thrashing salmon battle in every
direction. Yes, ESB bobber fishing for Alaska salmon can be a boatload of fun!
-- Andy Couch
http://www.sufix.com/FishingLine/SUPERBRAID.htm
http://www.pautzke.com Pautzke's Fire Cure salmon egg bait cure -- for the 2006 season we
started using Pautzke's new Fire Cure formula for curing salmon roe bait we
fish on our guided salmon fishing charters with excellent results. Fire Cure
comes in 4 colors, and cures salmon roe eggs quickly and consistently, while
adding Pautzke's Krill Scent, to produce bait that triggers aggressive
strikes from salmon, steelhead, trout and char.
Pautzke's Balls O' Fire salmon eggs -- Balls O' Fire bait has been a
staple on my Alaska Ice Fishing trips for trout, char and land-locked salmon
for more than 35 years, and simply produces more bites than any other
commercial single salmon eggs I have ever fished. Pautzke's Balls O' Fire
bait eggs are also considerably less messy than good roe bait, which is a
significant advantage when one is baiting hooks during cool winter weather.
The small jars fit easily in a pocket keeping the bait warmer and easier to
work with. For more information about Pautzke bait, bait cure, and scent
products, visit their website. If you enjoy fishing the best bait and scent
products available, ask for Pautzke products at your local tackle shop or
store. Pautzke Bait Company (509) 925-6154 in Ellensburg, Washington.
http://www.quantumfishing.com Cabo Spinning Rod -- While fishing for Alaska salmon in my Deshka and
Little Susitna guide boats, guest fishermen will have the opportunity to
fish with top of the line Quantum PT (Performance Tuned) rods and reels.
These smooth casting rods and reels will enhance your fish catching
abilities and increase enjoyment of your trip. The Quantum Cabo spinning rod
model CBIS70M is a favorite salmon spinning rod for casting spinners,
spoons, and baits on medium sized Alaska rivers like the Deshka and Little
Susitna. For the 2008 season I recently purchased a set of the heavier
CBIS70MH Cabo spinning rods. The CBIS70MH still has a light balanced feel,
but packs more hook setting power, and fish fighting backbone, great
qualities for catching Deshka River king salmon.
Smooth and Durable Spinning Reels -- Quantum
Performance Tuned spinning reels have proven extremely durable and smooth
over several years of fishing. On charters we've fished size 40 Catalyst,
Energy, Boca, and Cabo spinning reels, which have exhibited exceptional
durability and operated smoothly, while catching five species of Alaska
salmon. These reels feature buttery smooth drag systems, along with
Quantum's magnetic bail system -- the smoothest bail system I've ever
fished. For the 2008 season I'm planning to guide extensively with the Boca
PTs 40 and Energy E40PTi-A spinning reels.
Backtrolling Rods -- My two personal favorite
king salmon backtrolling rods are the Quantum Energy EMC76H (no longer
available) and the newer Quantum Performance Tuned PTC747XF. Both of these
rods were designed for the technique of flipping bass lures into lilly pads
or weed mats, and then quickly hauling bass out of the snaggy mess, both
before or after they became entangled.
In my experience Quantum bass flipping rods provide
plenty of backbone for hooking and pressuring powerful king salmon, while
simultaneously being light enough to make salmon fishing more pleasurable.
At over 7 feet in length they are a good length for battling salmon from a
boat, without being so long as to make boating fish difficult. --
Andy Couch
http://www.daiwa.com Light Weight Spinning Reels -- Daiwa has sold innovative top
quality fishing reels and tackle for decades, and during the past couple
Alaska salmon fishing seasons, Ive experimented with fishing 30 lb. and 40
lb. super braid line on Daiwa's lighter weight 3000 size spinning reels.
Models fished on my charters include Exceler, Tierra, Capricorn, Fuego, and
Certate. Spool size and line capacity on Daiwa reels tends to be larger than
on similar sized spinning reels from other companies. Less line tangling,
less twisting problems, along with better casting distance result from the
larger diameter spools, and in my opinion, this is where Daiwa spinning
reels really shine.
My personal favorite Daiwa spinning reel from the 5
mentioned above is easily the Fuego 3000, because of its light weight and
more positive bail trip. Catching silver, chum, sockeye, and pink salmon in
freshwater on the Fuego is a real treat, however when fishing for larger
king salmon, I opt for the heavier built Tierra. The Capricorn, while a fine
reel, in my mind is an earlier generation Tierra (with less features) that
may be phased out. I fished my first Exceler this past season, and it proved
an excellent value: smooth gears and drag, with many of the same features as
the more expensive models, while retailing at only $60. Certate is a premium
quality spinning reel at a premium price. While clearly a nicer reel than
the Exceler, Tierra, or Capricorn, for me, the Certate spinning reel is
value prohibitive for outfitting a guide boat.
http://fish.shimano.com/ Calcutta Baitcasting Reels for Backtrolling -- When backtrolling for
king salmon, I prefer premium quality durable baitcasting reels with a
smooth long lasting drag system. The Shimano Calcutta 400B is one of the
best reels I've guided with on Fishtale king salmon charters. I have also
used Shimao Cardiff 400A baitcasters, which initially seemed to perform like
a Calcutta, but at about half of the cost.
After a season comparing the two baitcasting reels,
however, the more expensive Calcutta 400B baitcasting reel has proven
considerably more durable, and definitely worth the extra cost.
Shimano Stradic FI Spinning Reel -- New for 2008.
http://www.luhrjensen.com Salmon Fishing Lures, Tackle, and Gear -- Luhr Jensen manufactures
and distributes a huge variety of fishing tackle and gear, including
Kwikfish plugs which are favorite king salmon lures on Fishtale River Guides
charters. Another worthwhile salmon catching tackle item is Luhr Jensen's
light weight Jet Diver. We use size 20 and 30 Jet Divers to fish baits near
the bottom while backtrolling or anchor fishing for king, silver, and chum
salmon.
http://www.sufix.com/FishingLine/SUPERBRAID.htm
Sufix Performance Braid Review -- After test fishing this line for a
couple seasons I'm a convert, and Suffix Performance Braid has become my
favorite salmon fishing line. Here's why: like other super braid lines,
Performance Braid casts well, has good sensitivity, and limited stretch.
Less line tangling, more consistent strength, and quieter when fishing, are
qualities Ive found superior in Performance Braid. This is the primary line
guests fish for salmon on my guide boat when casting lures with spinning
reels, or when drift fishing bait, either along bottom, or under bobbers.
A word of caution to anglers who have always fished with
monofilament line, Sufix Performance Braid costs considerably more, but
after experiencing the addictive qualities of this line, and learning a few
tricks to fishing it effectively, the thought of fishing for salmon with
monofilament line, may become depressing.
Because it is relatively new on the market, I had
trouble finding Sufix Performance Braid at Alaska tackle shops, but the
helpful folks at 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle in Wasilla special ordered a bulk
spool for me. A Google search for Sufix Performance Braid will produce
numerous online tackle dealers, if you can not find this braid at your local
tackle shop.
To reduce cost when experimenting with a new line,
purchase only enough line to fill a reel or two. If during your testing the
new line proves superior, consider making your next purchase a bulk spool.
Line usually costs considerably less per yard when purchased in bulk, and
over time, percentage of line lost to spool remainder is considerably less
with a bulk spool, than with multiple smaller spools.
http://www.powerpro.com
Power Pro Super Braided Fishing Line -- Power Pro is a quality fishing line
made in the U.S.A., and readily available in many Alaska tackle shops. After
using different strengths of Power Pro line, I recommend 30 lb. or 40 lb.
Power Pro for spin fishing for salmon in Alaska rivers. Salmon anglers
fishing with baitcasting reels often select even heavier line.
There are differences between fishing monofilament
line and one of the new super braids that anglers should know about, in
order to achieve best results with a super braid. Visit the Power Pro
website for detailed knowlegable suggestions about fishing the new
generation super braid lines.
http://www.gamakatsu.com Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap Hook style #230412 -- While reading Salmon
Trout Steelheader Magazine, I learned about this new style single hook that
was producing better hook up rates for salmon and steelhead fishermen. Later
at 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle, I found this Gamakatsu hook style already in
stock, so I purchased a package of size 4 hooks, and tested them on winter
ice fishing trips. The Finesse Wide Gap hooks caught enough landlocked
salmon, rainbow trout, and large Arctic Char, that I decided to special
order large quantities of size 3/0 and 4/0 hooks from the tackle shop to
fish on my summer salmon charters.
As many fishermen already know, Gamakatsu hooks are
famous for being extremely sharp right out of the package. Combining sharp
Gamankasu hook points with this style of hook produces a combination that
penetrates, then holds extremely well, resulting in a higher percentage of
fish caught per hook up. For this reason, the Gamakatsu Finesse Hook has
become my go to hook for bait fishing with salmon eggs.
Alaska Outboard Jet Guide Boat
Click to enlarge.
Greatland Welding and Machine -- Custom Built Guide
Boat
After operating and examining jet sled style guide boats for more than a
decade, I had Greatland Welding and Machine in Palmer, Alaska custom build
outboard jet boats with all the features I wanted. My Greatland boats
feature 22 - 24 foot long, wide flat bottom hulls, with a jet tunnel option.
The transom height is built to specifically match the outboard jet motor
mounting height. Extensive dry storage space under the bow hatch provides
enough room to stow an entire camp worth of gear, and 6 additional seat
storage boxes attach along the sides of each boat. Walk through seating
provides easy access to all parts of the boat when fishing, moving about, or
transferring gear. Padded Fish On swivel seats provide comfort and style.
Each boat features extra wide fishing rod / tackle trays, a lockable battery
box, and nonslip aluminum treadplate floor. Carefully placed UHMW oar blocks
provide optimum comfort, control, and quiet maneuverability when back
trolling a boat with oars.
On my home river, the Little Susitna, the Greatland
guide boat is recognized as the industry standard, with more fishing guide
businesses operating custom built Greatland boats than any other jet sled on
the river. Did I mention the boat price is great! Contact Greatland Welding
and Machine owner, Gary Feaster, at 907-745-2383 for information.
Aluminum Boat Repair / Customizations -- Jet
Service
Greatland Welding and Machine is also an authorized Outboard Specialties jet
unit dealer, services outboard jet units, stocks an extensive line of
reasonably priced outboard jet parts / accessories, and welds, repairs, and
customizes aluminum boats.
Suzuki 140 Outboard Jet Motor
Click to enlarge.
http://www.suzukimarine.com Suzuki Outboard Motor with Tiller Handle and Jet Unit --
During the 2005 season I purchased a 140 horse Suzuki four-stroke motor, and
had my dealer, Anchorage Yamaha Suzuki Marine, install a tiller handle and
jet unit. In more than 20 years operating as a fishing charter captain this
new motor is absolutely the sweetest outboard I have ever run. It starts
easily, runs quietly, idles down smoothly and slower than any outboard over
50 horsepower I've run, making it exceptional for trolling even with the
large horsepower. Visit Suzuki's website or call George Pearce at Anchorage
Yamaha Suzuki to learn more about high technology Suzuki outboards.
907-243-4903.
Yamaha 90/65 Jet Drive Outboard
Click to enlarge.
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outboard Yamaha Outboard Motors --
Yamaha Outboard Motor - F90 Jet Drive -- I've run Yamaha four stroke jet
equipped outboard motors for several years and they've been very dependable
and operate more efficiently at higher throttle settings than other outboard
jets. The Yamaha F90 jet drive has proven very dependable and a good match
horsepower wise when paired with my 22 foot Greatland guide boat.
The four Yamaha jet drive models currently available include F115 /80, F90
/65, F60 /40, and F40 /30. The Yamaha outboard jet drive option is an
outboard motor equipped with an Outboard Specialties jet unit rather than a
standard propellor lower unit, and saves the buyer about $1500 - $2000 over
the cost of purchasing a standard outboard motor, and then purchasing and
installing an Outboard Specialties jet unit. In 2005, Yamaha added fuel
injection to it's 90 / 65 horsepower jet drive and 60 /40 horsepower jet
drive models, this yields an additional substantial savings in fuel
consumption over older Yamaha 90 / 65 and 60 /40 outboards.
http://www.tackletour.com Tackle Reviews --
TackleTour.com provides independent thorough reviews of rods, reels, lines,
lures. tools, watercraft, and other tackle and gear anglers could find
useful. This is a much appreciated site that allows anglers to gain in-depth
understanding about all types of fishing tackle with out, "buying to try,"
each available fishing tackle item. Web surfers may suggest tackle for
review, and the forum section is excellent for asking questions about items
that have not yet been reviewed and learning from the experiences other
anglers.
http://www.rodsbyairrus.com Airrus Ultra XL Spinning Rods - Airrus
Ultra XL Spinning Rods - after reading two reviews about Airrus rods on the
Tackle Tour website, and reading comments from Airrus owners raving about
how great their rods were in the Tackle Tour forum section, I ordered five
Airrus Ultra XL model UXLS701MH spinning rod for use on Fishtale's guided
salmon fishing trips. We own plenty of great spinning rods, but the
opportunity to fish an innovative award-winning rod will undoubtedly appeal
to anglers interested in the high tech gear.
Airrus Puls-R Spinning Rod - model Pul731MH-S - After fishing with
Airrus Ultra XL rods, I upped the ante again this year, and purchased one of
the newer Airrus Puls-R rods (ICAST 2006 award winner) to test on my 2007
salmon fishing trips. Even though I already owned and liked the Airrus Ultra
XL rods, the newer Puls-R model positively impressed me enough that for the
second time in two years I ordered an entire set of Airrus rods, primarily
for fishing for Deshka king salmon and also to use while drifting salmon
eggs under bobbers during the 2008 season. The Airrus Puls-R features a
slightly softer, better casting action than the Ultra XL model, while
retaining the extra hook setting ,and fish fighting power Ive come to expect
from an Airrus rod.
Learn more about Airrus rods
by visiting their website, or reading rod reviews on the Tackle Tour tackle
forum. For help selecting and ordering an Airrus rod matching your specific
fishing needs, call Charles Steffler, President of Airrus Rods, at
936-582-1677.
http://www.fishalaskamagazine.com Fish Alaska Magazine - the only magazine we know focusing exclusively
on Alaska sport fishing. Their articles cover fly fishing, saltwater
fishing, new tackle and techniques, fishing for shark, halibut, rockfish,
salmon, rainbow trout, steelhead, Northern pike, Arctic grayling, Arctic
Char, Dolly Varden, lake trout and more. Their May 2002 issue published an
article on backtrolling for Little Susitna River king salmon, and their May
2006 issue will feature an article about the Nye Mat-Su King Salmon Derby.
Each month the magazine posts 3 articles from the current issue on their
website, so feel welcome to visit the website and read some articles.
Perhaps, youıll decide itıs worth a subscription. For more information
call 907-345-4337.
http://www.3riversflyandtackle.com/index.html
For Alaska fly fishing and tackle needs and an extensively knowledgeable staff
contact or visit 3 Rivers Fly & Tackle in Wasilla, Alaska. The 3 Rivers tackle
shop specializes in all types of Alaska fishing gear, weighs huge salmon for the
Mat-Su King Salmon Derby, and serves as an excellent source for information
about Matanuska and Susitna Valley fishing hotspots. Visit their website for
internet specials, fishing reports, and ever expanding opportunities to purchase
tackle and gear online, or contact 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle at 907-373-5434.
http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com
Sportsmans Warehouse provides the largest selection of fishing tackle, rods,
reels, and gear in not just Wasilla, but the entire Matanuska - Susitna Valley
area. Sportsmans Warehouse also has Anchorage and Fairbanks locations and
features extensive outdoor clothing, hunting, boating, and camping equipment in
brightly lit stores with wide aisles and helpful salespeople.
To make reservations for a guided Alaska salmon fishing trip,
where you'll have the opportunity to fish with some of the best salmon fishing
gear and tackle available in Alaska, call Fishtale River Guides at 907-746-2199
or click, fill out, and submit our
Fishing Trip Reservation Form.
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Saturday, March 01, 2008
Flashtrap
Spinners: Salmon Catching Lures
