Fishing for landlocked Atlantic Salmon in the summer

[go_fish]

I would like to try to catch some landlocked atlantic salmon in Waywayanda, Tilcon or Aeroflex. Being that it is still summer could some one give me some advise? Thanks

[AndyS]

I read people are picking a few here and there. It seems the best month is March.

[briansnat]

I would think down riggers or something else to get your baits below the thermocline this time of the year.

[bulletbob]

Early morning!. I mean dawn until 8 am, maybe 9 at the latest.. If you are a late riser, forget it at this time of year unless you are trolling in the thermocline.

If you aren't set up to troll, I would get some flashy 1/4 ounce marabou jigs with some flash.. Don't get cheapies, they really like flash and color.. Remember they will be near the thermocline, or just above,, maybe 25-30 feet.. You can catch them by casting the jig a good long way, letting it sink a good amount, and then retrieving with quick sweeps, letting it fall several feet between sweeps.. Not as effective as trolling, but it will give you a really good chance,, Nothing on the planet is as good as a good quality white Marabou jig with some Mylar flash, for LL salmon... bob

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by briansnat

I would think down riggers or something else to get your baits below the thermocline this time of the year.

Typically they are high up in the thermocline, or even just above it.. A lot depends on the food sources.. If there are alewives, thats where they'll be... Here in NY, the Lakers are always deepest, Browns not as deep as lakers.. Rainbows and Landlocks are often above the thermocline, or at its upper edge..bob

[Skunk City]

FWIW, I gave them a shot 2 weeks ago at Aeroflex. Didn't land any, but we trolled shiners around at different depths and the only action we had was 3 Salmon smacking the shiner at the surface as we were pulling it out of the water to check bait. All 3 times they missed, sat there for a second, then disappeared. They must have been pretty high in the water column for that to happen. Going to try again in the fall.

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by Skunk City

FWIW, I gave them a shot 2 weeks ago at Aeroflex. Didn't land any, but we trolled shiners around at different depths and the only action we had was 3 Salmon smacking the shiner at the surface as we were pulling it out of the water to check bait. All 3 times they missed, sat there for a second, then disappeared. They must have been pretty high in the water column for that to happen. Going to try again in the fall.

You will do better in fall. Try casting flashy marabous, or trolling 3 inch stick baits in silver/black or chartreuse. They like Mepps and Rooster Tails as well..
They really like live meat as you found out,,, Up here, the small ones will hit shiners.. Bigger ones key on herring. {Sawbellies up here].. Not sure if Aeroflex has herring, but if so, that is what the LL are eating, probably to the exclusion of everything else.
As Skunk relayed in his trip, those LL came way up out of the thermocline after food..People tend to think of LL salmon as a "cold water" fish, but they are regularly far away from the colder sections of the lakes they inhabit, even in summer.. In the big lakes up here, the T cline is typically at 50 feet.. However, LL salmon are regularly caught at 25 feet.. Like ANY fish, food trumps comfort, and if what they eat is inhabiting a "non preferred" temp zone, the LL will follow...bob