SALMON, COHO
The Coho Salmon is a species of anadromous fish in the salmon family. they hatch in freshwater streams and rivers, then after a year or two, they reach the smolt stage and migrate to the ocean. Some stocks of Coho Salmon migrate more than 1,000 miles in the ocean, while other stocks remain in marine areas close to the streams where they were born. While in freshwater, young Coho Salmon feed on plankton and insects. They are also known to eat juveniles of other salmon species, especially pink salmon and chum salmon, as well as juvenile sablefish.
During their ocean phase, Coho Salmon have silver sides and dark-blue backs. During their spawning phase, their jaws and teeth become hooked. After entering fresh water, they develop bright-red sides, bluish-green heads and backs, dark bellies and dark spots on their backs. Sexually maturing fish develop a light-pink or rose shading along the belly, and the males may show a slight arching of the back. Mature adults have a pronounced red skin color with darker backs and average 28 inches (71 cm) and 7 to 11 pounds (3.2 to 5.0 kg), occasionally reaching up to 36 pounds (16 kg). Mature females may be darker than males, with both showing a pronounced hook on the nose.
For Coho Salmon fishing, it is recommended to use 7 weight to 9 weight quality rods with actions that are well-suited for casting in windy conditions. Durable reels with a medium to strong disc drag are necessary. A floating line along with at least one sink tip is usually best. Sink tips should be 5 feet to 15 feet(1.5m to 4.5m) with a medium to fast sink rate. 10 to 15 pound(4.53kg to 6.8kg) monofilament. For bait, the best results can be achieved with Brad’s Wigglers, Mepps spinners, Kwikfish, twitching jigs, Blue Fox Vibrax spinners and many more.
Internationally
The traditional range of the Coho Salmon runs along both sides of the North Pacific Ocean, from Hokkaidō, Japan and eastern Russian, around the Bering Sea to mainland Alaska, and south to Monterey Bay, California. Coho Salmon have also been introduced in all the Great Lakes, as well as many landlocked reservoirs throughout the United States.