Steelhead

The steelhead is an extremely valuable species in any and all of its forms.

 

HOW TO IDENTIFY A STEELHEAD

Steelhead are sea-run versions of rainbow trout but lack the ‘rainbow’ coloration, being silver with black dots sprinkling all sides. By contrast, the fish known as the rainbow trout will be much more colorful and live solely in freshwater. The steelhead and its closest relatives in the Pacific salmon group (cutthroat, golden, Mexican golden, Arizona native or Apache, and gila trouts) are known as the black-spotted trouts because they are covered with numerous prominent black spots. These spots may cover the entire body or may be more abundant near the tail. The spots characteristically extend onto the dorsal fin, the adipose fin, and the tail. Those on the tail radiate outward in an even, orderly pattern. Spots may or may not be present on any of the lower fins and there are never any red spots such as occur on freshwater and spawning specimens of brown trout and Atlantic salmon.Steelhead are a highly sought after species on the Pacific Coast and in the spring and summer, small runs of fish will average around two or three pounds. During the fall runs of steelhead, 10-15 pound fish are very common and they are known to reach weights of over 40 pounds.

 

WHERE TO CATCH STEELHEAD

These fish are native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America and have been introduced for food or sport to at least 45 other countries. The steelhead is an anadromous fish that will live most of its life in the saltwater of the Pacific Ocean. After about 2-3 years, these fish will look for freshwater tributaries and estuaries to enter so that they may spawn in the freshwater. The following list includes additional details on where to catch this fish:

BAYS AND ESTUARIES                                    COASTAL WATERS

OVERHANGING TREES AND BUSHES                 ROCK AND BOULDER POCKETS

DROP-OFFS                                                   MERGING CURRENTS

STANDING WAVES                                         CURRENT EDGES

CHANNEL ENTRANCES                                    OUTSIDES OF BENDS

RIVERS AND STREAMS                                    DAMS AND FALLS

EDDIES                                                         SMALL POINTED WAVES

UNDERCUTS

 

HOW TO CATCH STEELHEAD

Anglers often target these fish with fly tackle, however light spinning gear and baitcasting outfits will also work. Spinners, spoons, rattle lures, and flies are all great choices for artificial baits where as small live baits and cured salmon roe are the natural baits of choice. It is the fly fishermen’s delight as it takes a fly readily, leaps often, and fights hard. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish:

 

FLY FISHING                               BAIT CASTING

TROLLING                                           SPIN CASTING

 

STEELHEAD LURES, TACKLE & BAIT

The following are lures, tackle or bait that can be used to catch this fish:

 

CURED FISH ROE                                           FLIES

JIGS                                                             SALTWATER LIVE BAIT      

SPOONS                                                       CUT BAIT

INSECTS                                                       PLUGS

SPINNER BAITS