Cut Plug Herring Setup — Everything You Need
Cut plug herring is the #1 salmon bait in Puget Sound. Whether you are trolling or mooching, a properly rigged herring out-fishes hardware most days. Here is everything you need to rig like a charter captain.
Mustad 92604 Octopus Hooks (3/0-4/0)
MustadThe hook every Puget Sound charter uses. Thin wire penetrates easily on a mooching hookset. Barbless (required in WA) and strong enough for 15 lb Chinook.
P-Line Fluorocarbon Leader (25 lb, 100 yd)
P-LineFluorocarbon is nearly invisible underwater — critical in the clear water around Point No Point and Jefferson Head. 25 lb is the sweet spot: strong enough for kings, light enough not to spook blackmouth.
Green Label Herring (frozen, 1 lb tray)
VariousGreen label (medium) is the standard size for Puget Sound Chinook. Available at every tackle shop from Everett to Olympia. Buy fresh the morning of your trip at John's Sporting Goods or the Point Defiance Boathouse.
Big Al's Fish Flash (8" or 10")
Big Al'sThe most popular flasher on Puget Sound. The 8" works for blackmouth, the 10" for mature Chinook. Run it 6 ft ahead of your herring on a trolling setup.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What angle do I cut the herring?
Cut at a 45-degree angle from top to bottom, starting just behind the gill plate. A sharper angle creates a faster spin (better for trolling). A shallower angle creates a slower wobble (better for mooching). Remove the guts after cutting.
How fast should I troll with cut plug herring?
Between 1.5 and 2.2 mph for Chinook. Slower than spoons. Watch your herring beside the boat before sending it down — it should spin smoothly about once per second.
Whole herring or cut plug?
Cut plug for trolling and mooching (the spin attracts salmon). Whole herring on a spreader bar for drift fishing. Most Puget Sound anglers cut plug 90% of the time.