I admit it I haven't really trolled salmon with bait, well never caught anything besides dog fish that is.

Its confusing, anchovy, herring, sardines, strips, rubber fish and all the different sizes.

I am comfortable fishing with spoons and rubber squids but can anybody give me some advice on baits?

tough to go wrong with a good old anchovy, although many guys swear by herring. A lot of guys like anchovy because the scales stay on and it seems to hold up better.

IMO bait is over rated-I note Commercial guys never use it.

Bait does work like a hot damn but it is high maintenance IMO. I usually put mine in a small igloo cooler at the back of the boat with some sea water and Kosher salt with a little powdered milk mixed in for shine. The salt stiffens up the bait and makes it a little tougher and easier to handle.

You have to watch your rod at all times for any bites as anything that can hit it will. You can pick up shakers, rock fish, junvenile lings, etc. (depending on depths etc.) and not notice them if your not looking at your rod. Nothing worse than some little rock fish hanging on your gear when you check it after a 1/2 hour of no bites .

Search this site and others on bait fishing lot's of info out there. Giver a whirl and good luck.

Cheers
Sculpin

if you want to be successful fishing salmon especially during slow times you must fish herrring or anchovy.teasers are your best bet.however you must brine them or they will not last.i belieive the only reason people are not successful with bait is because they can,t maintain the all important corkscrew roll.it,s all in your setup.i fish almost exclusively with herring in Sooke ,multi species.SS out