Silver salmon, also known as Coho, are one of the most prized catches during the Alaskan summer, and anglers from across the world make their way to fish Alaska's rivers in July, August and September. Aggressive, acrobatic, and willing to strike a wide range of presentations.

Fishing for Alaskan Coho Salmon

Once Coho Salmon make their way into Alaska's rivers and streams, they start to get an overwhelming spawning aggression that causes them to strike a wide-variety of lures. There are a few top choices that you'll find to be extra productive. Casting and retrieving large spinners is by far the most universally used tactic.

Cast & Retrieve Spinners: Blue Fox Vibrax and Steelhead Slammer Spinners in size 4, 5, 6 are highly recommended. Use a variety of colors, but pink, purple, blue, chartreuse, orange are some great options to start with. 

Swing Spoons: Swinging spoons in the current or retrieving them in slower waters can be a power move. Look at the Blue Fox Pixie Spoons, Acme Little Cleo and Acme Kastmasters. 

Twitching Jigs: Rabbit fur jigs have a crazy action in the water. Cast out a 3/8 or 1/2 ounce twitching jig and give it a good pop-wait-retrieve action through the hole. Alaska's Silver Salmon can't resist! We recommend a variety of pink, purple, black and chartreuse patterns.

Trolling & Back-trolling Plugs: If you have access to a boat, diving plugs can really clean up on coho rivers. You can troll, back-troll or anchor and wait, depending on the river currents. Use a Yakima Bait Mag Lip 3.5 or 4.0, Luhr Jensen Kwikfish K13 or K14, Storm Wiggle Wart or Brad's Wiggler for best results.

Choosing the right lure can mean the difference between a slow day on the bank and a cooler full of chrome-bright fish. Here are the top lures every coho angler should have tied on.