Troll or Mooch on the Water
Most fishers in Alaska are there to catch salmon or trout. The best way to do this is by trolling or mooching using live bait or a jig. Trolling consists of pulling the bait along fast enough to trick the fish into thinking the bait is swimming. Most boats have a trolling motor at the front of the boat to move the vessel along slowly while your pole draws the bait behind. Mooching is similar to trolling but usually does not involve a trolling motor. Fishers drift or fish out of an anchored boat and use the currents to move the bait around.
Fish Along Dropoffs
Salmon in particular like to spawn on the edge of dropoffs to deeper water. Fishing along these underwater ledges will get your bait in a well-trafficked area where you stand a better chance of catching a big fish.
Let the Sun Be Your Guide
Take advantage of predawn and setting-sun light, when fish will be hungriest and most active. Fish will also be in the shallowest water at these times. As the sun gets higher and temperatures rise, fish move to deeper waters to avoid the light and warmer water.
Article Written By Jonathan Croswell
Jonathan Croswell has spent more than five years writing and editing for a number of newspapers and online publications, including the "Omaha World-Herald" and "New York Newsday." Croswell received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Nebraska and is currently pursuing a Master's of Health and Exercise Science at Portland State University.
