Drift fishing is a technique frequently used to catch salmon and steelhead trout. It consists of bouncing a rig made of a weight and lure along the bottom of a river or stream. With this method, steelheads and salmon tend to strike lightly, so it is important to maintain your focus on your line and rod to detect when a fish is on.
Rod and Reel
When given a choice, use a bait caster rod and reel over a spinning rod and reel. While bait casters can be more challenging to master, they provide a much higher level of accuracy in casting, which is needed when drift fishing for steelhead or salmon. Longer rods also tend to be more sensitive. Choosing a rod that is between 8 feet and 10 feet long is a good idea.
Fishing Line
You should use heavier lines, up to 20-lb. test, for dark-colored waters with a lot of underwater brush, rocks and other obstructions. For clearer, less obstructed waters, lighter lines, averaging 5-lb. to 10-lb. test, are better.
Bobber
Most drift fishing methods use a combination of natural bait and bobbers. These bobbers, commonly called corkies or cheaters, are small floats that you thread onto the leader and that hold bait up off the bottom. They come in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes that can help attract steelheads and salmon.
Rig
To set up a typical drift fishing rig, slip a lead sinker attached to a small snap swivel onto a 10-lb. to 20-lb. test main line. Attach a barrel swivel and a 2-foot to 4-foot leader of a 5-lb. to 15-lb. test line. Slide a corky or cheater lure onto the leader and tie a 3/0 or 4/0 octopus hook using a snell knot to the end of the leader. The sinker will hold the line to the bottom, allowing you to play out the line until the bait reaches the proper depth and distance.
Select the Proper Natural Bait
Use natural baits that attract steelhead and salmon by their sense of smell. These include sea and sand shrimp, salmon eggs and nightcrawlers. This is a particularly effective technique when waters are murkier than normal.
Use the Proper Presentation
When fishing at a stream or river for steelheads or salmon, make your first cast close to you. Make subsequent casts farther and farther away, working your way across the river a little more with each new cast. When you have worked your way completely across the river, move downstream and repeat this process. Allow your bait to bounce and tumble downstream several yards before retrieving and casting again.
Strike Fast
Frequently, steelheads and salmon will pick up drift fishing baits more out of curiosity than hunger, and will quickly spit them out. Be sensitive to even the lightest of strikes, and set the hook fast when you detect a fish is on.
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