Trinidad, California Salmon?

Phil Layer · 05-22-2006, 10:38 AM

I'm headed down to Trinidad for the long weekend to fish for salmon with a buddy who has not fished there either.

We'll be in a 20 foot sled so we won't be venturing far from shore.

Any tips on what to do / what not to do will be appreciated. Downriggers needed? Herring? Spinners? Numbers or locations to try?

Onokai · 05-22-2006, 11:04 AM

The bite has been straight out past the whistle bouy in 180 feet of water off the downrigger's. Thats just the reports I have heard as I do not fish the pink meat much. The bite was red hot a few days ago but has slowed. Snotty ocean now should calm by weekend. Mark

Bird Chaser · 05-22-2006, 11:18 AM

The BIG bite has been south but has been moving north quite rapidly. 5/15 it was about 4040N and stayed there until 5/20 but on 5/21 blanko it had moved to 4051N. WX forecasts indicate rough water until about5/28-29 and where the BIG bite will be by then is only a guess, but as ONOKAI said its usually good hdg 270 deg off the Trinidad whistle 160' to 220'.

Phil Layer · 05-22-2006, 02:45 PM

Thanks for the info.

Are downriggers a must for these fish? Can they be had consistently with divers?

Bird Chaser · 05-22-2006, 04:18 PM

Downriggers are nice but not entirely necessary. A lot of fish are coming in 30-50 pulls on a deep six. So far I'd say the bait of choice is either anchovies or a watermelon colored apex. Personally I prefer the new Triple-Threat marketed by Englund Marine stores instead of the power downrigger that I have since it eliminates having to use a flasher. It will dive to 150' and I use it with apex es and hoochies.

Draggin' Bait · 05-22-2006, 04:34 PM

One of the employees at Englund Marine in Eureka fished Trinidad this weekend. They did very well trolling white spoons and purple hoochies seven feet behind Deep Sixes, in the upper 30 feet of water. We fished out of Eureka and did very well with anchovies behind hammered flashers, from 35-55 feet down (except for one which hit on the surface while I was still putting the line on the downrigger! LOTS of fish out of Eureka and Trinidad. Note that Eureka is a free launch and Trinidad will cost you. On the other hand Trinidad has a fish cleaning station and Eureka does not. On a busy day there is likely to be an irritatingly long wait to be taken out of the water at Trinidad. In either case come on down -- glad to have you join us.