How to Attach Salmon Eggs to Hooks

Salmon eggs are a popular freshwater fishing bait, especially for trout and panfish. The eggs are sold at bait and tackle shops in resealable jars. Because salmon eggs cluster in the water, an effective presentation requires several eggs baited on the hook. Use a barbed hook to hold the bait in place and bring plenty of salmon eggs, since they break easily. You'll use a lot of bait when fishing turbulent water, such as rivers and fast-moving trout streams.

Things You'll Need

  • Rod and reel spooled with line
  • Paper towels
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Instructions

    • 1

      Tie a barbed hook directly to the end of the line at the tip of your rod and reel.

    • 2

      Unscrew the jar of salmon eggs and pick up the bait one at a time with a folded piece of paper towel between your thumb and forefinger. The eggs are slippery. Holding each with a small piece of paper towel prevents the bait from shooting out of your fingers like a chunk of wet soap.

    • 3

      Stab the first egg onto the pointed barb of the book and slide it around the curve to the base of the shank, which is the straight part of the hook connecting to your line.

    • 4

      Add salmon eggs to the hook, moving each egg next to the last one, until the barb of the hook is buried inside the final egg. Depending on the hook size you choose to use, you should have at least three eggs rigged on the hook. The curved presentation of salmon eggs on the hook resembles egg clusters found naturally in the water.