by Barchaser, September 13, 2013

OK, the Silver/Coho season is heating up. I've been fishing Puget Sound with a boat since I moved to Seattle in 1980. But the last 3 or 4 Falls have been the best for Silvers since I moved here. Last week, my friend and I got 4 Silvers and 4 Pinks and were done by 9AM. Same thing yesterday in the fog, and I'll be there tomorrow.

Pretty hard to beat the Shipwreck, Picnic Pt area all the way south to Edmonds. Personally, I've never done well on Possession. Hint, at times go shallow just south of Picnic.

Everybody has their Silver methods and I thought I'd share mine. Its been productive for me. Last year in Sept I had some conflicts so I didn't get out as much as I wanted to. I went out 10 times and put 52 in the boat, and released another 10 or so. Only once we didn't limit.

Troll pattern. I prefer to start trolling with the tide until I find where the fish are concentrated. In my experience, Silvers are scattered and you have to cover water until you find concentrations. Sometimes we troll with the tide for awhile, and then start up the big motor and run back uptide and do it again. Morning I start at 40-50 feet on the DR but I'm quick to lower it down to 70-80. When it is real bright or lots of boats, it tends to drive the Silvers deeper, 90 to as much as 120. Yes troll fast, 3mph water speed. Keep trying new water and different depths until you find concentrations. Sometimes they will be out at 500 feet or more.. other times very close in

Squids. I'm a tackle junky. I have zip lock bags full of squids! My all time fav is Goldstar OG142R dk grn glow. Number two is Army Truck, mostly on bright days where the darker color gives more contrast. Number three is a white Goldstar glow squid with a line of chartruese on the side, I don't know the number.

Just as important as the Squid is the twinkle skirts. I use two of them, glow green, white or chartreuse, two is much better. The skirts give a lot of color/glow and very good action. Get the ones that have a lot of material. Some of the tinsel ones don't have much material and one fish can pretty much wipe them out and all you have left is a plastic head. For reasons known only to Walter White, the plastic that makes up the squid and the head of the skirt, hate each other and the skirt head will literally melt into the head of the squid. Tie them up but leave the skirts away from the squid when storing.

I tie my own squids, 2 hooks, I like bigger hooks, 5/0 Gami on top, and 4/0 on the bottom. I used to use 30 pd Maxima leader but the last 2-3 years I've been using 40 pd fluorocarbon and I've had good success with it both Silver and Nooks. The FC is stiffer which imparts more action to the squid. Length, I like longer, 38 to 42".

Flashers. I have my fav but as long as it is chrome bright, I'm not sure it matters much. I own 15-20 of them. Just make sure to use a Sampo on the flasher. You can never have two many swivels.

Camera flash. Lighting up the squids with a flash works, particularly in the morning or on dark days. You can buy a camera flasher at a spt goods store but they are expensive, 25 bucks and cheaply made. Buy them at a camera shop. They have old 35MM flashers around. Recently the last one I had just wore out. I went to a local camera shop and bought two used flashers, 9.50 each, both like new. One of them is a Vivatar with 4 batteries and it really lights up the squid! The flashers hate moisture and die quickly when wet. Keep them in a zip lock bag and flash the squid through the bag. Use the flash on glow spoons too.

Herring strips. Always use salted herring strips with a squid. I start with large big Black label herring. Take them out of the freezer and let defrost only for a few minutes. Easier to work with when they are a little frozen. Fillet both sides and cut into long thin triangular strips. Use a scissors to cut the strips. easier than a knife. Put in plastic container, layer of strips, layer of rock salt etc. Let sit overnight, drain off the liquid, there will be a lot, freeze and toss them in the boat when you leave home. Attach larger end to top hook.

My thoughts. Good luck! Look for me on the water, 18' North River Seahawk, blue trim, Cougar insignia on the side window!