A full-rigged anchovy head ready for action . working anchovy baits and catching fish , usually a double once we found another bait ball .
Most anglers that fish the saltwater , and even the brackish waters of our larger rivers , know how to properly cut plug herring but few use anchovies . This might be because the smaller baitfish can ’ t easily be cut plug and thrown onto a mooching rig and tossed into the water . It is much easier to learn to cut plug or even whole rig a herring than it is to use anchovies . But the anchovy is a great salmon bait , full of oil , and the way they are rigged makes them an irresistible bait .
I suspect rigging anchovies is what keeps most people from fishing them . Herring is bigger , easy to cut plug and generally considered the go-to salmon bait in the ocean . But don ’ t let the smaller size anchovy intimidate you . They ’ re downright deadly whether you ’ re fishing in the ocean , or on the lower Columbia River .
Because of their size you ’ ll need to learn to fish a “ hood ”, a plastic chamber that fits over the anchovy ’ s head that keeps the bait intact when trolling or mooching .
Several different variations are on the market and it takes some experimenting with them to figure out which ones you like best . The most common is a hood that you push the head of the anchovy into and secure with a toothpick or plastic pin . Some allow for a small metal wire to be attached and this will allow you to skewer the anchovy and then bend it to get the right “ roll ”. There are also hoods that open like a clamshell or
hinged lure and a small rubber band is used to secure it . These hoods also use a bobber stop to keep them in place ( or to adjust the hooks ) and they have small fins on them to make the herring rotate or wobble .
When it comes to fishing baits such as herring or anchovies there are usually two presentations and each one provides a basis for an argument on which is best . Those who plug cut herring often say that a “ slow roll ” is for Chinook and a “ tight spin ” is for coho . Same is true for anchovies , except that really what we are mimicking is either a wounded baitfish — which is the slow roll — or a lone , swimming and erratic baitfish — which is the tight roll — to entice the bite .
While fishing one day with a friend , who I consider a master at using anchovies , he showed me a bait that wasn ’ t spinning at all . Instead this anchovy was fluttering back and forth subtly and looked like it was swimming . His theory was that if a salmon sees two baitfish , one of which is acting weird or sick and the other is quickly trying to flee that the salmon , its predator instincts will take over and the salmon will go for the fleeing fish . After all , when we go to the grocery store do we look for the fresh cut steak or the “ managers special ”. Regardless of which way you like to fish you can do either with the anchovy .
Slow Roll For rigging the “ slow roll ” it is best to use the hood that allows the addition of the metal wire . Simply attach the wire into the small jason brooks photo hole on the side of the hood and pinch it so it won ’ t come off . Skewer the anchovy behind the gill plate so it can be slid up the wire and the head fits into the hood . The leader will be running through the hood and the hooks should be tied a few inches apart . Secure the head by pushing a tooth pick or the supplied plastic pin through the hood and the head of the anchovy . You can put some pressure on the fish to bend the wire and make the shape you need to achieve the slow roll or you can bend the wire before you insert it into the anchovy . Some anglers let the hooks dangle while I prefer to put the hooks into the anchovy , one on each side to points are sticking out in opposite directions . This allows for the salmon that is attacking the bait from the side to get at least one of the hooks .
Fast Roll To rig the “ fast roll ” try and find the clamshell hoods that have the wings . You can also use the regular hoods and buy them accordingly as most will say what kind of action it is designed to produce . Those with the wire can be used as well , just bend the wire until the desired action occurs . Rigging them is simple . Put the head into the hood and use the provided pin or a toothpick and stick it through the anchovy , securing it in the hood . Insert another toothpick into the tensioning hole that has the leader running through it . Put the top hook into the side of the anchovy and pull tight to form a slight bend . You can either leave the trailing hook to hang back or run it into the other side to have a hook point sticking out the other side of the anchovy .
When using the clamshell hoods , you will need some small beads , a small section of plastic tubing and a bobber stop , preferably the Dacron slip knot style . The tip of the hood will have a hole in it for your leader . Slide a small bead , then the plastic
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