Fishing for West Coast salmon isn’t just about dropping a line and hoping something shiny swims by — it’s a deliberate, technique-driven pursuit. Salmon are smart, powerful, fast-moving fish with habits that change based on tides, temperature, and time of day, which means guesswork won’t get you far.

Whether you’re after Chinook (King), Coho (Silver), or Pink salmon, success comes down to using the right tools, reading salmon behaviour, and dialing in a presentation they simply can’t ignore.

These four essentials — downriggers, a solid rod-and-reel setup, the right flashers, and simple, effective lures — form the backbone of any reliable salmon trolling strategy. And your Stryker inflatable boat, especially the PRO JET, is built to work hand-in-hand with all of them for smoother, safer, more productive fishing.

Plus, if you want to learn how to cook your catch, you’ll need to speak to Jared Cook — a great fisherman himself. We can teach you how to fish, but only he can tell you how to make it the best.

1. Downriggers: Your secret weapon for depth

Depth is everything in salmon fishing. Salmon aren’t random — they travel in predictable layers of the water column depending on light, temperature, and bait. If your lure isn’t at their depth, you’re not in the game.

That’s why downriggers are the gold standard for West Coast trolling.

Your Stryker boat — especially the PRO JET — pairs perfectly with Scotty downriggers, giving you a precise, stable, and adjustable system for presenting your lure exactly where salmon are feeding.

How downriggers work:

• A downrigger lowers your lure to a specific depth using a 5–10 lb weight.
  
• Your fishing line clips in above the weight so it travels down with it.
  
• When a salmon hits your lure, the clip pops open, freeing your line.
  
• From there, it’s just you and the fish — no extra weight to fight.

This technique ensures your lure stays in the strike zone — whether that’s 20 feet below the surface at sunrise or 120 feet deep on a hot midsummer day. Downriggers don’t just increase your chances — they multiply them.

2. Rod & reel setup: Built for power and control

When a salmon bites, the real battle begins. These fish are aggressive, fast, and known for explosive runs and head shakes that can snap weak lines or bend cheap rods.

That’s why your setup matters.

We recommend:

• A medium to heavy trolling rod or mooching rod
  
• A dependable reel with smooth, consistent drag
  
• 30 lb test line for durability and shock absorption
  
• Scotty rod mounts (included in the Stryker package)
  

A strong rod and smooth drag system give you better control during long fights, while heavier line prevents break-offs—especially with big Chinook, which are notorious for sudden bursts of power.

A well-built rod setup turns chaos into confidence.

3. Flashers: Attracting salmon from afar

If the downrigger gets your lure in front of salmon, the flasher convinces them to come closer. A flasher’s spinning motion mimics injured baitfish — an irresistible sight for hungry salmon.

Think of the flasher as your “attention-grabber,” pulling fish into your zone long before they see your actual lure.

Choose flasher colors based on water clarity:

• Green / silver: Clear water — high visibility and natural look
  
• Chartreuse: Overcast days or murky water
  
• UV / glow: Deep trolling or low-light mornings

A well-chosen flasher can draw salmon from impressive distances, setting up the perfect opportunity for your lure to do its job.

4. Lures: Keep it simple

Once a salmon is drawn in by your flasher, your lure seals the deal. The key? Simplicity.

For ocean salmon, you don’t need complicated or overly decorative rigs. The classics consistently outperform everything else.

Our favourites:

• Pink and chartreuse hoochies
  
• White hoochie squids

These mimic squid — one of the primary food sources for Pacific salmon. Their movement, simplicity, and color patterns make them incredibly effective across Chinook, Coho, and Pink salmon.

Pro tip: Add a small saltwater scent gel to your hoochie. Salmon rely heavily on smell, and scent dramatically increases your strike rate.

Responsible fishing: Respect the resource

The West Coast salmon population is precious — and vulnerable. Responsible fishing ensures future seasons, healthy runs, and a thriving ecosystem.

Please remember:

• Follow all local catch limits and size regulations.
  
• Release undersized salmon with care.
  
• Only keep what your family will actually use.
  
• Never waste a fish — every salmon matters.
  

Good anglers protect the waters they love.

Fishing in style: The Stryker way

With the Stryker Ultimate Fishing Package and the rock-solid Stryker PRO JET, salmon fishing stops being guesswork and starts feeling effortless. 

Every piece of gear is built for real ocean conditions — stable, safe, and dialed-in for long days of trolling.

It’s the perfect blend of:

• Pro-grade equipment that does the heavy lifting

• Techniques that actually work on the West Coast

• And a dependable inflatable boat that handles the chop like a champ

Together, they give you everything you need to consistently bring home fresh Pacific salmon — often more than enough to treat your doggies to a tiny taste 🐶😉.

Because at the end of the day, fishing isn’t just about the catch. It’s about the skill you build, the moments you share, and the adventure that keeps pulling you back. With Stryker, you get all of it — only better.