Top 10 Best Natural Baits for Salmon

Natural Baits for Salmon – Salmon fishing is an exciting sport, and using the right bait can make all the difference in catching a prized fish.

Natural baits are often preferred by anglers because they closely mimic the food salmon consume in the wild.

Whether you’re fishing in a river, lake, or the ocean, using effective natural baits can help increase your chances of a successful catch.

In this article, we’ll explore the Top 10 Best Natural Baits for Salmon that have proven to be effective across different fishing environments.

1. Salmon Eggs

Salmon eggs are one of the most popular and effective natural baits for salmon. These eggs are a natural food source for salmon, especially during the spawning season.

When salmon are preparing to spawn or have just finished spawning, they are highly attracted to clusters of eggs.

Using cured salmon eggs is especially productive in rivers and streams, as the scent and visibility of the eggs can trigger a strong bite.

Why It Works:

• Salmon instinctively eat eggs for nutrients.
• Bright color and scent attract salmon easily.

Tips:

• Use egg clusters tied in small mesh bags to prevent them from breaking apart.
• Adding scents or curing the eggs can increase effectiveness.

2. Herring

Herring is another top bait choice, particularly for ocean salmon fishing. Herring is a staple in the diet of many salmon species, making it a natural attractant.

Fresh or frozen herring can be cut into strips or used whole, depending on the size of the salmon you’re targeting.

It’s often trolled behind a boat or drifted in slow-moving water to mimic the movements of a wounded fish.

Why It Works:

• Herring is a common prey for salmon in saltwater environments.
• Its oily flesh releases a scent trail that draws in salmon.

Tips:

• Try rigging herring in different ways, such as using a cut-plug to give it a spinning action.
• Add a flasher or dodger to increase visibility.

3. Shrimp

Shrimp is an excellent bait for both saltwater and freshwater salmon fishing.

Freshwater shrimp are a natural food source for salmon in rivers, while saltwater shrimp mimic the crustaceans that salmon feed on in the ocean.

Shrimp are highly visible and have a strong scent that salmon can detect from a distance, making them a reliable choice for attracting fish.

Why It Works:

• Shrimp are part of a salmon’s natural diet in both fresh and saltwater.
• Their scent and movement trigger a predatory response.

Tips:

• Use fresh shrimp when possible, as they retain more scent.
• Thread the shrimp onto your hook carefully to keep it intact.

4. Sand Shrimp

Sand shrimp, commonly found in coastal waters, are another effective bait, particularly for salmon in estuaries and rivers.

These shrimp live in the sandy or muddy bottom of coastal environments, making them a natural prey item for salmon transitioning from saltwater to freshwater.

Sand shrimp are often used when drift fishing or plunking in rivers.

Why It Works:

• Sand shrimp are part of the natural food chain in coastal rivers.
• Their natural movement and scent are irresistible to salmon.

Tips:

• Hook the sand shrimp carefully to keep it lively for better presentation.
• Pair it with a small weight to keep it near the bottom where salmon are feeding.

5. Worms

Worms, particularly nightcrawlers, are a versatile and effective bait for salmon fishing in rivers and streams.

Salmon, especially in freshwater, are known to bite on worms as they resemble other invertebrates salmon might feed on. Worms are easily accessible and can be rigged in various ways to attract salmon.

Why It Works:

• Worms are a natural food source for salmon in rivers.
• Their wriggling motion triggers salmon to strike.

Tips:

• Drift worms naturally with the current for the best results.
• Combine worms with other bait, such as salmon eggs, for a more enticing offering.

6. Squid

Squid is a highly effective bait for salmon, particularly in saltwater environments. It’s especially useful when trolling or jigging for salmon.

The texture and movement of squid resemble small prey that salmon are accustomed to hunting in the ocean.

Squid can be used whole or cut into strips, depending on the size of the fish you’re targeting.

Why It Works:

• Squid’s texture and movement mimic natural prey.
• Its scent spreads well in the water, attracting salmon from a distance.

Tips:

• Use strips of squid to create more movement in the water.
• Pair squid with a flasher to draw more attention to your bait.

7. Anchovies

Anchovies are another oily baitfish that is highly attractive to salmon, particularly in saltwater.

These small fish are part of the salmon’s natural diet, making them an ideal bait choice.

Anchovies can be rigged whole or in strips and are often trolled behind boats in areas where salmon are feeding.

Why It Works:

• Anchovies are a natural part of a salmon’s diet.
• The oily scent trail created by anchovies draws salmon from afar.

Tips:

• Use anchovies with a rotating rig to simulate the motion of a wounded fish.
• Fresh or frozen anchovies work well, but frozen can be easier to handle.

8. Crayfish

Crayfish are highly effective for salmon fishing in freshwater rivers and streams.

These crustaceans are a natural food source for salmon and are particularly appealing when salmon are in rivers.

Live or dead crayfish can be used, and their movement in the water can entice salmon to bite.

Why It Works:

• Crayfish are a common food source for salmon in freshwater habitats.
• Their erratic movement triggers salmon to strike.

Tips:

• Use live crayfish for the most natural presentation.
• Fish crayfish near rocky areas where they naturally hide.

9. Minnows

Minnows are an excellent natural bait for salmon fishing, particularly in rivers and streams.

Salmon are predatory fish, and the movement of live or dead minnows mimics their natural prey. Minnows can be drifted, trolled, or used with a float for various fishing methods.

Why It Works:

• Minnows resemble small fish that salmon prey on.
• Their natural swimming motion entices salmon to strike.

Tips:

• Use live minnows for the best presentation.
• Hook minnows through the back or lips to allow for natural movement.

10. Sardines

Sardines are a highly effective bait for both freshwater and saltwater salmon fishing.

Like herring and anchovies, sardines are oily baitfish that release a strong scent trail in the water, attracting salmon from a distance.

Sardines can be trolled, drifted, or used as cut bait to target salmon in various environments.

Why It Works:

• Sardines are a common prey item for salmon in both saltwater and freshwater.
• Their oily flesh releases a potent scent that draws in salmon.

Tips:

• Cut sardines into chunks for use as cut bait.
• Pair sardines with a flasher or dodger to increase visibility.

Conclusion

Fishing for salmon can be incredibly rewarding, and using the right natural bait is crucial to success.

The Top 10 Best Natural Baits for Salmon outlined in this article—salmon eggs, herring, shrimp, sand shrimp, worms, squid, anchovies, crayfish, minnows, and sardines—are proven options that can increase your chances of landing a prized fish.

Experiment with different baits based on the fishing environment, season, and local conditions to find the most effective option for your next salmon fishing adventure. Happy fishing!