The Alaska King Salmon is the state’s official fish and the ultimate prize for any angler hoping to catch a huge one. The world-famous Kenai River is teeming with king salmon. Sport fishers in the Kenai have hauled in monster salmon measuring nearly 100 pounds, and 40 and 50 pounders are not uncommon. Thousands of people travel to the Kenai River to hunt for the King with the help of a qualified river guide.
What kind of bait do you use? The most excellent rigs for attracting Alaska King Salmon are a few different varieties. Three effective lures that usually produce the best results are Spin-N-Glows, Vibrex Spinners, and plugs. Back trolling and drifting are two frequent fishing strategies used on tour boats on the Kenai, while back bouncing, a third and relatively new strategy, is also proving to be beneficial.
Spin-N-Glows and salmon eggs or plugs are commonly used in back trolling. Magnum Wiggle Worts, Flashtrap Spinners, Tadpollys, Kwikfish, and Flatfish are all good back trolling lures. Divers, trolling weights, and diving lures may be used in addition to the lure, depending on the current, depth of the water, and position on the river. Salmon will be attracted to baits that move erratically and rotate, especially those that give the impression of an aquatic creature in distress.
Back trolling requires the boat to work against the current, with the motor running at the same or slightly slower than the river. This method will keep the boat in the same position on the river or allowing it to proceed slowly down the river. The boat should be going downstream at a slower rate than the current, with the lures ahead of it. The bait is usually moved close to the river’s bottom, with a diver or weight attached 18 inches distant to allow for proper depth. When the rod goes down and remains down, you know you’ve caught a King Salmon on your line.
Back trolling is similar to drifting; however, the bait is allowed to bounce off the riverbed softly while the boat drifts with the current. To keep the line at the proper depth, weights are used. This is a challenging technique to perfect since it’s not always easy to tell the difference between a fish taking the bait and your line striking the bottom. A hit is usually indicated by a pause in the line’s progress.
The bait is bounced off the bottom while the boat is carefully backed over a hole with back bouncing. When properly weighted, Sink-N-Glows, a Vibrex spinner, or similar lures can produce good results. If you feel a tug when you’re fishing, it’s a good bet there’s a salmon around.
If you’re going to use a plug, go with K-15s or K-16s because you’ll need something big. Divers work well together to bring the plug to the correct depth, and bright, flashy colours are ideal since they attract attention.
Don’t worry if you’re fishing the Kenai River and can’t find suitable bait at home. Although some of these things may not be available in your area, bait and tackle shops around the Kenai have plenty of Spin-N-Glows, Vibrex spinners, Tadpollys, Kwikfish, and other options.
If you arrange your fishing trip with a licenced guide, you will benefit from their expertise, experience, and supplies, which will make your travel less stressful and more fruitful. When fishing for Alaska King Salmon, you want to take advantage of every opportunity to catch your limit and enjoy some of the best fishing on the planet.