Imagine you are going on a treasure hunt in the middle of a giant forest.

Trolling: The “Hunter” Way (Our Favorite!)

Trolling is like being a hunter. Instead of sitting in one spot and hoping a fish swims by, we put the boat in gear and go find them. Think of the boat as a moving base. We use the engine to pull our lures through the water at the perfect speed to mimic a swimming herring. Because we are moving, we can cover miles and miles of the ocean in a single day. If the fish aren’t in one “neighborhood,” we just drive to the next one! It’s like using a magnifying glass to search the whole forest for that treasure instead of just standing by one tree.

Mooching: The “Waiting” Way

Mooching is more like sitting in a tree stand and waiting for a deer to walk under you. You drop your bait straight down and slowly reel it up and down. It can be fun, but if the fish aren’t right under the boat, you’re just washing your bait! We prefer to be the ones on the move, chasing the “Big Kings” wherever they are hiding.

The “Big King” Gear

To catch a King Salmon, you need heavy-duty tools because these fish are the “Kings” for a reason—they are strong!

• The Rods: These are long and “bendy” (we call it slow action). They act like a giant rubber band. When a King hits the lure at full speed, the rod bends into a huge U-shape to soak up the power of the fish so the line doesn’t snap.

• The Reels: We use “Level Wind” or “Line Counter” reels. They have a little screen that tells us exactly how many feet of line we have out. If we know the Kings are hanging out 100 feet deep, we can put our bait exactly in their “living room.”

• The Hardware (The Secret Weapons):

  • Downriggers: These are like underwater elevators. They use a big lead ball to sink our line deep down where the water is cold and the Kings like to stay.

  • The Flasher: This is a big, shiny piece of plastic that spins in circles. It looks like a flashing light underwater. It tricks the King into thinking a whole school of fish is nearby, and it makes them come over to investigate!

  • The Lure: At the very end is a “tasty” looking snack—usually a herring or a sparkly spoon with sharp hooks.

By trolling, we are taking the fight to the fish. We use our eyes, our electronics, and our boat to “hunt” them down!

What is a Tyee?

A “Tyee” isn’t a different kind of fish; it is a special title given only to King Salmon that weigh 30 pounds or more.

To give you an idea of how big that is, imagine holding three giant bowling balls at once, or a medium-sized dog that is pure, solid muscle. Most salmon are much smaller, so when a King Salmon grows big enough to be called a Tyee, it means it has survived many years in the wild ocean, outsmarting predators like seals and orcas.

Why is it such a huge honor?

Catching a Tyee is like winning a gold medal in the Olympics of fishing. Here is why it’s so special:

• The “Club” of Legends: Since 1924, there has been a famous group called the Tyee Club. To join, you have to catch one of these giants using very specific, old-school rules (like being in a small rowboat!). Even if you aren’t in the club, telling another fisherman “I caught a Tyee” is the ultimate bragging right.

• The Ultimate Fight: A 30-pound fish doesn’t want to be caught! It will pull your rod into a giant “U” shape and take a long time to bring to the boat. You have to be patient, strong, and very careful not to let the line snap.

• A “Once-in-a-Lifetime” Moment: Many people fish their whole lives and never see a Tyee, let alone catch one. When you land one, it’s a moment you and your family will talk about for the rest of your lives.

When you step onto a boat with Big King Salmon Charters, you are specifically looking for these “Kings of the Sea.” Bringing a Tyee into the boat is more than just catching dinner—it’s becoming a part of fishing history!