The annual salmon migration along the Western Australian coast is a major event for many anglers and occurs each year around early autumn. The heavy reduction in commercial salmon netting has fuelled this increase in numbers and as a result has been given the thumbs up from recreational fishermen. Damian Bowman recounts a day to remember and details the methods required to experience similar salmon madness.
This season was much greater than anyone could have imagined and if anyone needed proof, they only needed to look at Perth where mammoth schools of these lure smashing freight trains hit almost every beach. In previous years the migratory salmon never made it close to the metro area. This season I experienced plenty of great sessions from the boat and shore in Perth and a few hours’ drive down south but my favourite platform to target them from is on the kayak and the following details a session that can only be described as total salmon madness.
When it comes to shore-based salmon anglers, there are generally two types: the ones who stay planted in one spot, waiting for the school to come to them, and then there are those who walk and cast, in search of the schools. I have always preferred to find the fish which makes kayaking a great method. What annoys fishermen the most is when the fish are just out of casting range, which is where the kayak comes into its own.
Australian salmon tick all the boxes as a sport fish. They hit lures including those on the surface and they fight hard and love to launch.
A DAY TO REMEMBER
I arrived at Hamelin Bay at dawn on the coldest morning of the year, so far. The dash thermometer registered a chilling seven degrees and a 15 knot northerly breeze chopped up the bay, making it very unappealing for kayak fishing. My last session was shore-based at this same location but was way too hectic with anglers casting side-by-side and all over one another. A three metre swell was running and despite the ramp being protected from most of the swell it was still deterring boat anglers. I could understand why the boaties weren’t keen, but I was intent on getting out there.
Sometimes the salmon schools are hard to see and sometimes they move so fast that you’re likely to only catch one from a passing school. In busy times like this though, angler excitement will often reveal the whereabouts of fish and I could see people getting excited all the way up the beach. I could also see dolphins smashing up a massive school of salmon on the surface.
The cold was forgotten and I was out of the car and onto the water in the record time of four minutes. The school had just moved out of casting range from the beach and was slowly heading towards me. And this anticipation is the best feeling you can get while fishing. As the school drew closer I started to realise the magnitude of the situation. This school was not only big but also thick and it was not only dolphins smashing the school but sharks too. Thankfully, sharks don’t really faze me while I’m in the kayak and at that moment I was in my element. I had a monster school to myself with a hundred jealous spectators watching helplessly.
When the fish are in such large numbers and so easy catch you only have a few decisions to make. Poppers, fly, hard-bodies or plastics.
My preferred weapon of choice in situations such as these is the white Richter plugs because they cast like a bullet and well, I just love surface strikes. To be honest though, I think I could have cast a piece of drift wood with a hook embedded and still done well. They were out to destroy anything that moved. The first cast was annihilated before I turned the handle and was the start of a session I will never forget.
When that first hooked fish launches through the air and dances on its tail, it’s almost impossible not to yell out in excitement. I ended up catching one after another until my arms got sore and I had burnt out the battery on the GoPro.
After catching a few I also managed to help out the shore-based anglers by getting the school to follow one of my hooked fish within casting distance of the beach. The ensuing chaos was a delight to witness as 50 or so anglers were hooked up at once. It was an awesome feeling, knowing that I had created the carnage. Needless to say, I couldn’t believe that only an hour earlier I was sitting in my car wishing I had slept in.
Catching Australian salmon this size every cast never gets boring.
HOW TO
I have a lot of respect for salmon as sportsfish, especially when they reach 4 to 8 kg like the ones in this particular school. They never seem to give in and make it tough for the angler to subdue them by jumping free of the water in an attempt to free themselves of the hooks.
The salmon run normally starts around early march on the west-coast of South Australia before they move through Esperance to Albany through March and April. The south coast is the most productive area for salmon throughout the season followed by the Southwest capes. Late April to May is the best time for Perth anglers although some years they simply don’t make it up that far.
When it comes to finding the fish, social media is a far more effective tool than sounders and GPS. The thing is, salmon don’t stop moving and while there are beaches that fare more consistently than others, they can turn up anywhere. Salmon tracker Facebook pages were a huge hit this season and anglers could find out where the salmon schools were feeding in real-time. These spots get crowded but with the kayak you can often get in on the action without too much boat traffic.
BAIT V LURES
I can’t say I’ve ever caught a salmon on bait but in certain situations it can be the best, or only, way to get them. At times when salmon won’t chase down a lure, a live herring is the go-to method. These herring can usually be found in the same areas as the salmon as they make up a large part of a migrating salmon’s diet. Kayakers can either use a live herring under a balloon or hook one through the mouth and slow troll in a likely looking area. You can also add an extra treble hook towards the back of the body of the herring to increase your strike rate.
Speaking of trolling, it makes for a great alternative to casting when trying to find the schools. I like small bibbed minnows from Halco or RMG but most of the time they will take anything. They will also take a lure trolled at slow speed so you don’t have to wear yourself out while pedaling or paddling.
When they are on they will take just about anything and flies, plastics, trolled lures, metals and poppers will all be effective. Most shore-based anglers use metals and plugs as they can be cast longer distances; however, when using your kayak you can get up close to the school so you are not limited by what lures you can use. I prefer surface lures or flies and there is no better view than sitting at water level during a feeding frenzy.
A 10 kg combo around 7 ft works well from the kayak and even a bream rod will do the trick if you tie solid knots and have the patience to play fish out. It took me about 15 to 20 minutes to land a 5 kg salmon on 3 kg line, which made for a great battle, but by the time I landed the fish, the school was 5 km down the beach.
AVOID THE CROWDS
Care must be taken when fishing around others in the peak of the season. When the shore-based anglers are in full force it pays to stay well out of their casting range. If they can reach the school with their casts then you will have to go on the outside of the school and cast in. When everyone is attacking the same school it’s not only dangerous but also rude to go trolling through the middle. You are asking for trouble by doing this. Also, when it is crowded, be patient and wait for the best time to cast safely. Once you are hooked, try and drag the fish from the school and enjoy the fight away from the others.
