How to Snag Salmon Like a Seasoned Fisherman

Snagging salmon is a controversial yet effective fishing technique used to target salmon, particularly sockeye salmon, during their migration runs While prohibited in many areas, snagging persists as a way for anglers to quickly fill their freezers when salmon aren’t actively biting lures or bait. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about snagging salmon successfully and safely.

What is Salmon Snagging?

Snagging refers to catching salmon by intentionally fouling or impaling them with a hook. Rather than enticing the fish to bite a lure or bait, the snagger aims to spear the salmon with a weighted treble hook. The hook typically lodges in the back sides or belly of the fish. The snagger then reels in the salmon and claims their catch.

Since no setting of the hook is required, snagging allows anglers to rapidly fill their limits compared to conventional fishing methods. However, most anglers consider the practice controversial and unethical due to animal welfare concerns and issues of fair chase.

Why Do Anglers Snag Salmon?

For some anglers, snagging is an efficient means to fill their freezer with wild salmon meat. The abundance of salmon in places like Alaska leads some to view it as almost “grocery shopping.” Snagging requires less skill than proper angling techniques. Others enjoy the excitement of the method or grew up observing the practice.

Of course, most anglers frown on snagging and believe it goes against ethical, fair chase fishing standards. But those who do partake argue it allows them to capitalize on salmon runs and avoid waste of the resource.

Where is Snagging Most Common?

In Alaska, snagging primarily targets red (sockeye) salmon during their late summer/early fall spawning migrations in rivers like the Kenai and Russian. Prime spots include:

• Upper river sections and tributaries where clear water allows visibility to spot salmon. Target pools, runs, riffles where fish hold.

• Constricted spots like canyons, bridges, and narrows where salmon cluster.

• River mouths as salmon stage before moving upstream.

• Just above spawning areas to intercept pre-spawn fish.

Check regulations carefully, as snagging bans exist on many Alaska rivers. Other states may allow snagging during special seasons.

Best Times to Snag Salmon

Aim to snag salmon during peak migration seasons as they move upriver to spawning areas. Key windows include:

• Late summer/early fall for sockeye and pink salmon runs.

• Late fall for coho and chum salmon migrations.

• Spring for returning king salmon in some rivers.

Consult regulations for legal snagging seasons which are often limited. Run timing varies by region, so research the specific rivers you’ll be fishing.

Snagging Tackle and Gear

A snagging setup uses stiff, powerful rods and reels to provide maximum force needed to penetrate a salmon’s firm flesh upon the hook set. Common setups include:

• Medium-heavy to heavy power baitcasting or spinning rods in the 7-9 foot range spooled with 50-80 pound braided line.

• Conventional reels paired with flexible snagging rods capable of casting large treble hooks and heavy weights.

• Custom snagging rods with roller guides to reduce line friction and avoid binding on hook sets.

• Weighted treble hooks from 2/0 to 6/0 hooked on heavy leaders up to 100 lb test.

• Dipsey divers, dodgers, or cut bait added for visibility. Gloves recommended for handling hooks and gear.

Snagging Techniques and Methods

Though prohibited in many waters, snagging techniques include:

• Sight fishing: Visually spot salmon and position hooks in their path, jerking upward to spear fish.

• Blind snagging: Casting weighted treble hooks into likely salmon holding spots and sweeping hooks through the strike zone hoping to impale a fish.

• Flossing: Casting across and drifting weighted hooks through spawning beds to snare fish guarding redds.

• Harassing: Repeatedly casting over actively spawning fish to provoke strikes.

• Tracking: Following hooked salmon to exhaustion before landing by snagging rather than playing on rod and reel.

• Foul hooking: Accidentally snaring fish in areas besides the mouth due to errors in technique and presentation.

Snagging Best Practices

If practicing snagging where legal, keep these tips in mind:

• Use circles hooks and file down barbs for easier hook removal. Carry bolt cutters.

• Target the mid-section, not head or tail areas, and never the gills or eyes.

• Set the hook quickly and gain control of fish to avoid prolonged fights.

• For release, cut the line rather than tearing hooks out if they are deep. Handle fish gently.

• Avoid snagging around other anglers and yield right of way to properly hooked fish.

• Be selective – don’t exceed your limit simply because snagging allows it.

• Follow all regulations carefully, as enforcement of snagging bans increases during salmon runs.

• Consider avoiding spots where spawning and holding fish are concentrated.

Though effective at filling freezers, snagging goes against the ethics of fair chase fishing for most anglers. If salmon won’t cooperate, trying new areas, lures, and techniques is preferable to snagging in order to uphold high standards. With knowledge of how snaggers operate, responsible anglers can avoid accidental fouling of fish as well.