The Hot New Craze of Pink Salmon Plugs for More Aggressive Strikes

The Rise of the Pink Salmon Plug

With the release of the new Barbie movie, pink has become an increasingly popular color choice. This fashion trend has now made its way into the fishing world with the creation of pink-colored salmon plugs. Salmon plugs, also known as salmon spoons, are a staple lure for salmon fishermen. The vivid pink color of new pink salmon plug designs provides an eye-catching appeal that generates incredible strikes.

What is a Salmon Plug?

A salmon plug is a fishing lure that mimics the look and motion of a wounded baitfish. It typically has an elongated, spoon-shaped metal blade and a treble hook attached to the bottom. The thin, fluttering metal blade vibrates and flashes in the water as it's retrieved to attract reaction bites. Salmon plugs are intended to be fished with a fast retrieve to trigger reaction strikes from aggressive salmon.

Traditional salmon plug designs come in metallic finishes like copper, brass, silver, and gold. But pink salmon plug models feature a bright fluorescent pink finish. This unique colorway offers increased visibility for both anglers and fish. The vibrant pink stands out in the water, allowing anglers to track the action of the lure. And the pink color triggers vicious strikes from salmon keyed in on the bright hue.

When to Fish Pink Salmon Plugs

Pink salmon plugs tend to be most effective when salmon are in a particularly aggressive feeding mode. During periods of intense salmon runs, like late summer and fall, salmon become highly focused on targeting baitfish. The bright pink hue triggers instinctual predatory reactions. While natural colorways work fine for general salmon fishing, switching to a pink plug during peak feeding times can help entice reaction bites.

Low light conditions are also an ideal time to break out pink-colored lures. The fluorescent pink helps increase visibility in dirty water, overcast conditions, and at dawn and dusk. When salmon have a harder time spotting subtle or natural colored lures, the bold pink color helps draw fish in and boost hookup rates in low light.

Best Fishing Techniques for Pink Salmon Plugs

To get the most out of pink salmon plugs, it's important to employ specific fishing techniques. Here are some top tips to follow when fishing new pink salmon plug lures:

• Use a fast retrieve - Pink salmon plugs are designed to trigger reaction strikes. The most effective way to fish them is with an aggressive, constant retrieve. The fast motion keeps the blade rapidly fluttering side to side.
• Vary your speeds - While maintaining a swift cadence, try mixing up slow and fast bursts. This can induce more random and aggressive strikes from salmon.
• Focus on structure - Target areas like drop-offs, submerged rocks, creek mouths, and weed edges. Salmon hold near structure and will strike pink plugs moving quickly nearby.
• Go shallow - Pink plugs stand out best in shallow water between 5 and 15 feet deep. Staying shallow allows salmon to spot the pink hue.
• Watch your rod tip - Pay close attention to your rod tip when retrieving. Strikes will display as sudden jerks and taps. Set the hook immediately on any abnormal rod movement.

Top Pink Salmon Plug Models

Several major fishing tackle brands have rolled out special pink salmon plug designs to match the new fashion trend. Here are some top pink salmon plug options to try out:

PlugTech Pink Dream

The PlugTech Pink Dream features a bright fluorescent pink blade in a classic salmon spoon shape. It combines premium components like 3D holographic eyes and Gamakatsu treble hooks. The Pink Dream delivers an enticing wobbling motion and flash ideal for trout and salmon.

Barbie x Rapala Pink Shad Rap

This special pink Rapala Shad Rap was produced in collaboration with Barbie to promote the new movie. It boasts a plastic pink body and metallic pink foil finish on the bill. The tunable lip allows anglers to tweak the diving depth from 5 to 12 feet to target salmon holding at different levels.

Luhr Jensen Pink Mag Lip 3.5

The Mag Lip 3.5 from Luhr Jensen has an oversized pink blade paired with loud rattles. The convex shape kicks out maximum flash and vibration. Three premium #4 treble hooks ensure solid hook sets. It's a great option when the water has extra color or debris.

Rainbow Plastics Sassy Sally

The Sassy Sally swimbait from Rainbow Plastics looks just like a pink-hued baitfish. The ribbed body and molded gill details offer a lifelike profile. Internal rattles add fish-calling noise, while the twisting tail action imitates an injured shad or herring fleeing from predators.

Retrieve Pink Plugs Properly

While pink salmon plugs look exciting, presentation is still critical for success. Make sure to use a smooth, medium-speed retrieve at first. Vary your cadence between slow flutters and bursts of speed. Also experiment with pause-and-go techniques to trigger reaction bites. Keep the lure moving properly to mimic a wounded baitfish target for aggressive salmon.

Pink Plugs Complement Other Colors

Don't be afraid to mix up pink plugs with traditional color patterns like silver or copper. Alternating between pink and metallic plugs allows you to determine which color is triggering the most strikes on a given day or location. The pink plugs also help contrast natural colors, adding more visibility to your spoon rotations. Carrying a mix provides more options to crack the salmon bite code.

Customize Your Pink Salmon Plug

Some anglers take customization to the next level by modifying stock pink salmon plugs. You can add extra split rings for better action, switch out treble hooks for single hooks, or upgrade the hooks to stronger models. Brush-on scent formulas can also be applied to boost attraction. And attaching colorful beads, blades, or prism tape often helps increase strikes.

Pink Salmon Plugs Deliver Big Results

Bright pink-colored salmon plugs provide a unique look that helps draw vicious strikes when salmon are on the feed. Their eye-catching profile calls in salmon from a distance and triggers their predatory reaction. Pink salmon plug models from top brands offer premium components for reliable performance. Make sure to fish pink plugs with an animated retrieve. When salmon get fixated on baitfish, these pink predators get bit in a big way.

FAQs

Why are pink salmon plugs so popular?

The vibrant fluorescent pink color triggers instinctual reactions from salmon and provides increased visibility. Pink plugs stand out clearly in low light conditions. During intense salmon runs, the bright pink hue generates very aggressive reaction bites.

What rod and line should I use?

A 6-7 foot medium or medium-heavy power rod with a fast action is ideal for pink salmon plugs. Pair it with 10-15 lb mono or fluorocarbon line. Braided line can work too but may require a leader for abrasion resistance.

Where is the best place to fish pink plugs?

Target structure like drop-offs, creek mouths, and submerged rocks. Focus on shallow areas around 5-15 feet deep where pink plugs are more visible. Pink works best when salmon are concentrated in specific zones.

How do I work a pink salmon plug?

Use a fast constant retrieve punctuated with occasional pauses and variations in speed. Varying the cadence triggers reaction strikes. Keep the retrieve moving so the blade flashes and wobbles side-to-side.

Should I use scents or add-ons?

Yes, brush-on scents, beads, or prismatic tape can help boost strikes. Some anglers also upgrade the treble hooks for stronger hook sets. Custom modifications make pink plugs even more visible and attractive to salmon.