Salmon Fishing at Sekiu: Strait of Juan de Fuca Trolling Tactics
Intercepting the Migration
Every summer, millions of salmon pass through the Strait of Juan de Fuca on their way from the Pacific Ocean to spawning rivers throughout the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. Sekiu sits along the south shore of this migration corridor, putting anglers in position to intercept Chinook and coho salmon as they travel eastward. The combination of current rips, upwelling zones, and baitfish concentrations off the Sekiu waterfront creates a natural feeding station where migrating salmon pause, feed, and become vulnerable to trolling presentations.
Understanding the Migration Patterns
Chinook Salmon
Chinook bound for rivers throughout the Puget Sound basin, the Fraser River, and Columbia River tributaries all pass through the Strait during their migration. The run builds from June and peaks in July and August at Sekiu. Fish range from jacks in the 5-pound class to mature adults exceeding 30 pounds. The largest Chinook tend to travel deeper in the water column, often 40 to 100 feet down, while smaller fish are found at shallower depths.
Coho Salmon
Coho arrive slightly later than Chinook, with the main push occurring from August through October. These chrome-bright fish average 8 to 14 pounds and travel in looser schools than Chinook, often at 15 to 40 feet of depth. Coho are aggressive feeders that respond well to flasher-and-hoochie combinations and trolled flies. Their acrobatic fighting style — multiple jumps and fast surface runs — makes them a favorite target for many anglers.
Trolling Techniques for Strait Salmon
Flasher and Herring
The standard trolling setup for Chinook in the Strait uses a large rotating flasher (11 inches, chrome or chartreuse) followed by 24 to 36 inches of 25-pound monofilament leader to a tandem hook rig through a plug-cut or whole herring. Trolling speed ranges from 1.8 to 2.5 mph. The flasher provides the attraction while the herring provides the final trigger. Use a downrigger or diver to control depth precisely — in the Strait, even a 10-foot difference in depth can be the difference between catching and not catching.
Flasher and Hoochie
For coho (and sometimes Chinook), a flasher followed by a 42-inch leader to a hoochie (plastic squid imitation) is extremely effective. Green, blue, purple, and glow hoochies in the 4-inch size range are standard. The hoochie darts and pulses behind the flasher, mimicking a small squid or baitfish. This rig is simpler than herring setups, doesn't require bait, and can be just as productive for coho.
Cut-Plug Herring
Cut-plug herring involves cutting the head of the herring at a specific angle to create a tight, spiraling action when trolled. The angle of the cut determines the speed and diameter of the spiral — a steeper angle creates a tighter, faster spin for slow trolling speeds. This technique is particularly deadly for Chinook in the Strait when fish are holding in specific current lines and you need a precise presentation at controlled speed.
Reading Strait Currents
The Strait of Juan de Fuca has strong tidal currents that significantly affect salmon fishing. Current rips — visible lines of turbulence on the surface where opposing currents meet — concentrate baitfish and attract feeding salmon. The most productive trolling passes follow these rip lines, keeping your gear in the zone where fish are actively feeding. At Sekiu, the most prominent rips form off the points and headlands along the south shore. Flood tides (moving eastward) generally produce better fishing than ebb tides.
Tackle Setup
| Component | Chinook Setup | Coho Setup |
|---|---|---|
| Rod | 8'6"-9' medium-heavy trolling | 8' medium-action trolling |
| Reel | Level-wind with line counter | Level-wind with line counter |
| Line | 30 lb mono or 50 lb braid | 15-20 lb mono or 30 lb braid |
| Leader | 25 lb mono, 24-36 inches | 15-20 lb mono, 36-42 inches |
| Flasher | 11" chrome/chartreuse | 8-11" chrome/green |
| Bait/Lure | Plug-cut herring, whole herring | Hoochie, herring, trolling fly |
| Depth Control | Downrigger, 40-100 feet | Downrigger or diver, 15-40 feet |
"Fishing the Strait at Sekiu is all about reading the current. Find the rip lines, set your gear at the right depth, and troll along those edges. The salmon are using the current to their advantage — you need to use it to yours. When you get it right, the bites come in clusters." — Sekiu salmon charter captain
Downrigger Fishing
Downriggers are essential equipment for consistent salmon trolling in the Strait. These cable-and-weight systems allow you to precisely control the depth of your lure, which is critical when salmon are holding at specific depths in the water column. Set multiple downriggers at staggered depths to find the fish — a common spread is one at 30 feet, one at 50 feet, and one at 80 feet. When you get a strike, reset all lines to the productive depth.
Best Times and Conditions
- Peak months: July through September for the most consistent action
- Best tides: Flood tides (incoming, moving east) produce the best Strait salmon fishing
- Time of day: Early morning (5 AM to 9 AM) and evening (5 PM to dark) are prime
- Water temperature: Salmon prefer 48 to 54 degrees in the Strait — use a temperature probe on your downrigger
- Bait activity: Look for herring balls on the fishfinder and bird activity on the surface
Regulations
Sekiu salmon fishing falls under WDFW Marine Area 5 regulations. Daily bag limits, species restrictions, and mark-selective requirements vary by year and can change during the season. In many years, only hatchery Chinook (with clipped adipose fins) may be retained, while wild Chinook must be released. Coho regulations also vary by year. Check the WDFW website for current Marine Area 5 salmon regulations before every trip.