King Salmon

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

Also known as Chinook, Tyee, Blackmouth, Tule, Quinnat, or Spring salmon.
Average Size: 20 – 25lbs
Alaska state record: 96.4lbs
Tackle used: Everyone has heard the statement, “to catch big fish you have to fish with big lures”, when fishing for the large Alaskan King’s this is definitely a true statement. While fishing conventional tackle we often fish with large crankbaits or “plugs”. One can use a variety of colors, but we have found that green [chartreuse] and dark pink produce very well for us.
If flyfishing is your game, large 2/0 or 3/0 marabou and rabbit strip flies in the same colors work well. The most efficient way to hook Kings on a fly rod is using a two-handed ‘Spey’ rod with heavy sink tips.
Habitat: While in the ocean, Kings live and feed at depths averaging 80 to 280 feet down, so when they enter the rivers it is no surprise that they like the bottom. While traveling through the many river systems King salmon tend t move through and hold in the deeper river channels and buckets (8-12 foot depths). Whether using flies or conventional tackle, the key to hooking these fish is using whatever means to get your lures down to there level.