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Here’s how to catch salmon without downriggers

Downriggers typically received the nod for targeting salmon and steelhead, but nowadays spring and late-summer anglers employ options like heavy deep-riving spoons and lead core fishing line. (Photos by gnatoutdoors.com)

You don’t need downriggers to catch salmon in the spring and fall when they are shallow. Plenty of salmon can be caught then using just divers and deep-diving stickbaits behind in-line planer boards. Salmon are attracted to the tepid water found near shore in the spring and the baitfish it attracts. Fishing is usually in 40 feet of water or less, so downriggers aren’t necessary; quality rod holders are.

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