Chinook (King) Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Chinook return from the ocean to spawn in Central Valley rivers each fall, holding in deep runs and tailouts as they push upstream. In the ocean they roam widely chasing anchovy and squid, which is why trolled bait behind a flasher works there, while cured roe or a bead drifted under a float is the standard once they've entered the river. Ocean season typically runs through summer and river runs peak in fall, but both shift year to year, always check current CDFW regulations before you go.
Typical size: 24-48in · Peak season: summer, fall. Always check current CDFW regulations for size and bag limits before keeping fish.
Float Rig
A float suspends bait at a fixed depth instead of dragging it on the bottom, letting current or light wave action carry it naturally past holding fish. This is the standard technique for salmon and steelhead in rivers, fished with roe or beads under a pencil float, and for light-tackle pier species like jacksmelt, where a small float and a multi-hook leader with tiny bait covers a school as it drifts through. Use it whenever fish are holding off bottom rather than on it, or when you want a natural drift through a current seam without snagging.
- Main line8-15 lb monofilament running through the float
- Leader15-25 lb fluorocarbon
- Leader length18-24in from the float to the hook, shorten in clear water, lengthen in off-color water
- Hooks3/0 - 4/0 hook tied with an egg loop knot
- WeightThree 1/4oz split shot spaced about 2in apart, halfway down the leader
- Line to sinkerShot placed 8-12in above the hook, or spaced 2in apart in a cluster halfway down the leader for salmon
- BaitCured roe or soft beads. Barbless hooks are required in many California salmon fisheries, confirm current regulations before you go