Each week one of the Salmon University experts answers reader questions in our “Ask a Pro” feature. This week’s questions are answered by Tom Nelson. Submit your own question here.

Q: Are treble hooks legal on salmon lures? Or do you have to convert it to a single barbless hook? – Dick

Dick – many areas on the west coast have banned the use of treble hooks on salmon lures. You must convert your lures to a single barbless hook. I do believe, though, that a single barbless hook hooks deeper and better as the barb on the hook will stop it from cutting through the bone and gristle of a salmon’s jaw. It also makes it easier to release small fish.

Q: I brine my herring according to Tom Pollack’s article “How To Brine Herring.” At the end of that article you mention that “this solution will keep the herring firm for weeks if refrigerated.” So, how do I refrigerate them to get them to last for weeks – still in the brine solution or out of it but in ziplock bags? – Chuck

You’re best to take them out of the brine and just leave them in zip-lock bags in the refrigerator or freezer.

Q: How do you tell where the tide lines are, and where the riptides are when you are in a boat on the surface of water? – Jeff

Jeff – the tide lines and rip lines will look like clear paths through the water with choppy water on both sides of them. These are caused by upwellings on the bottom, created by a reef or shelf.

upwelling diagram courtesy NOAA | treble hook image courtesy 
Jake Bjeldanes (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Tom Nelson

Tom Nelson is the publisher of salmonuniversity.com. Known throughout the Pacific Northwest as the “Dean of Saltwater Fishing,” he has helped develop and test tackle and gear for Scotty, Pro-Troll and Silver Horde, is a regular speaker at area sports shows, has taught more than 5,000 students how to fish during his classes at western Washington community colleges, and is the co-founder of the Puget Sound Anglers.