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Pink salmon fishing: tackle, fishing methods, lures and habitats
Pink salmon is a representative of the genus of Pacific salmon. It has a characteristic feature for this species – an adipose fin. The average size of pink salmon fluctuates around 2-2,5 kg, the largest of the known caught fish reached a length of almost 80 cm and a weight of 7 kg. Distinctive features are the absence of teeth on the tongue, a V-shaped tail and anal fin, large black spots on the back of an oval shape. Pink salmon got its name because of the hump on the back, which develops in males during migration to spawning grounds.
Fishing methods
The most common methods of catching pink salmon are spinning, fly fishing and float tackle.
Fly fishing for pink salmon
The main feature of catching pink salmon in the Far East is the use of bright fluorescent baits; large fantasy flies of yellow, green, orange or pink colors with an additional decoration in the form of a brilliant lurex work well. The size and power of the tackle depends on the preferences of the angler, but it should be borne in mind that most often you have to fish using sinking lines or heads. Therefore, some anglers use high-class fly fishing tackle. The catch of pink salmon on the Kola Peninsula is by-catch for most fishermen. At the same time, the fish reacts to baits intended for salmon, but in this case, such flies, as a rule, have bright elements. During fishing, the fly should be held near the bottom, in uniform short jerks.
Catching pink salmon with spinning
It is safe to say that spinning is the main and most common way to catch pink salmon. Since this species is not a very large salmon, the requirements for gear for catching it are absolutely standard. A medium-fast action rod with a test of 5-27, a length of 2,70-3 m is suitable. A 3000-4000 reel according to Shimano classification. But do not forget that when catching pink salmon, by-catch of other salmon is possible, which may differ in strength and size. Pink salmon bite is a weak, sometimes double blow to the bait. Despite its small size, when playing the fish actively resists.
Baits
Pink salmon is well caught on relatively large, oscillating baubles. And spinners 3-4 numbers of bright colors. The lure should not rotate during the retrieve, so it is best to use S-shaped baits, which have a rather sluggish game. To increase the number of bites, the tee can be decorated with feathers, threads, strips of soft multi-colored plastic. Salmon respond particularly well to orange, red, and bright blue. When fishing with float gear, the so-called “tampons” of red caviar are used as bait.
Places of fishing and habitat
The habitat of pink salmon is quite extensive. These are the American and Asian coasts of the Pacific Ocean. In Russia, it comes to spawn in the rivers located between the Bering Strait and Peter the Great Bay. It occurs in Kamchatka, Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands, enters the Amur River. Since 1956, it has been periodically introduced into the rivers of the White and Barents Seas. At the same time, pink salmon comes to spawn in the rivers from Yamal and Pechora to Murmansk.
Spawning
Pink salmon begins to enter the rivers for spawning at the end of June. The course lasts about two months, in some regions it can last until mid-September. This is a typical anadromous species of fish that does not have a freshwater form. This salmon has a fairly short life cycle and after spawning, all fish die. As soon as pink salmon enters the river, it stops eating. It prefers to spawn on rifts with sand and pebbles and a fast current. Pink salmon lays from 800 to 2400 eggs, the eggs are large, about 6 mm in diameter. After a few months, the larvae emerge and remain in the river until spring. Then they slide into the sea, remaining for a while in coastal waters. The main food there are insects and crustaceans. Once in the sea, pink salmon actively feeds. In her diet – small fish, crustaceans, fry. Active nutrition allows her to mature quickly. Just a year and a half after entering the sea, pink salmon returns to their native rivers to spawn.