Twitchin’ the Salt for Pink Salmon: Humpy Stop #2 in Puget Sound!
- BMO
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Twitchin for Pink Salmon in Puget Sound.
It’s a Pink Salmon (Humpy) year in the Puget Sound, and the fishing action is straight-up electric! Last week, I joined the crowds on the Puyallup River to chase them - you can check out that adventure HERE. This week, I hit the saltwater with some good buddies for an EPIC day chasing Humpies, Kings, and Coho. Buckle up, because this trip was a wild ride!
The Setup: Ready for Battle
Three of us piled into the boat, ready to chase Kings, Cohgo and Pinks in Puget Sound. We rigged two rods on the downriggers to troll for Kings and Coho, but the real fun was the casting setup for those feisty Pink Salmon tearing up the surface. My go-to? An Okuma Guide Select Pro 9'9" ML spinning rod, Diawa Ballistic 2500 Spinning Reel loaded with 20 lb Probraid W40 in Green, paired with a 20 lb mono leader tied to a 1/2 oz Pink VMC Twitching Jig. This combo is a perfect setup for casting to schooling Pinks—and it delivered.
VMC Twitching jigs on 20# Prbraid was the perfect setup!
Morning Madness: Limits and Chaos
The morning bite was fast and furious! The downriggers were popping off with Kings and Coho, and we even landed a couple of bonus Pinks in the mix. The action was so hot we barely had time to breathe, let alone cast for Humpies. By mid-morning, we were this close to limiting out on Kings and Coho—talk about a hot start!
Chasing Wolfpacks: Humpy Havoc
Once we bagged our Kings and Coho limits, it was time to hunt the Pink Salmon wolfpacks. These bad boys were cruising in tight groups of 5 or 6, breaking the surface and moving fast. When we spotted them close enough, it was go-time. I’d fire my 1/2 oz VMC Pink Twitching Jig out in front of the pack, let it sink for about 10 seconds, and start jigging it back. If your aim was on point, those aggressive Humpies would hammer it in no time! The fight on light spinning gear with 20 lb Probraid? Pure adrenaline. Humpies aren’t the biggest salmon, but they scrap like nobody’s business—easily one of the most fun ways to hook these fish!
Double Hook-Up Madness
The highlight of the day? I hooked a Humpy, and as it charged toward the boat with my jig in its mouth, I could see a squad of 5 or 6 other Pinks chasing it! I yelled to my buddy to drop his jig, and sure enough, the whole pack peeled off to chase his lure as it sank. Two seconds later? “FISH ON!” We were doubled up, laughing as those Humpies put on a show. That’s the kind of chaos that makes fishing in the PNW unforgettable.
The "Wolfpack" followed this one all the way to the boat!
The Payoff: A Triple Limit Day
By the end of the day, we’d crushed it: limits of Kings, Coho, and Humpies. An absolute dream day on Puget Sound, with non-stop action, killer fights, and the kind of memories that keep you coming back for more.
Pink, King and Coho fillets!
Get Out There!
If you’re in the PNW, now’s the time to chase those Pink Salmon in the saltwater. Grab a light spinning setup, a pink twitching jig, and get ready for some serious fun. The Humpies are waiting, and they’re ready to rumble!
Thanks for reading, and tight lines!
Bill
© 2025 Bill Matthews Outdoors