Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: paulj on August 17, 2013, 10:39:15 PM
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Hey guys,
Need ur advise on how I can quickly differentiate while I'm fishing between coho and pink. I know pinks have smaller scales. Anything else in should look for? Was fishing in in the ocean and could not quickly tell which was which.
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Pinks have larger tail spots.
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Pink spots are all over the tail, whereas coho usually only have a few on the top half of the tail.
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Pinks have black gums, Coho have white gums
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http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fish_profile/coho_salmon.html
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fish_profile/pink_salmon.html
it is on rod main page...how lazy can you get with all the provided info.
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It is on the DFO website as well anyone salmon fishing should study it and take a copy with them in the boat. The DFO recommends checking at least 3 identifying marks.
As for the first thing I would look for is oval spots.
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http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fish_profile/coho_salmon.html
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fish_profile/pink_salmon.html
it is on rod main page...how lazy can you get with all the provided info.
He is obviously new to this site, look at his post count. So give him time to learn how to use this site to his advantage. Secondly this person should not be scolded for asking an important question he's trying to learn. It's better to ask and not ask at all. Post like yours can detour this individual and others due to fear of being berated.
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This post has lots of photos showing different characteristics of each salmon species.
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=27823.msg263623#msg263623
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the tail is the easiest way.
Pinks have abundant large oval shaped spots over the entire tail:
(http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/images/species/Salmon/pink.jpg)
(http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/images/species/Salmon/pinktail.jpg)
coho have very sparse small spots usually only on the top edge:
(http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/images/species/Salmon/coho.jpg)
(http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/images/species/Salmon/cohotail.jpg)
see these 2 sites for full id guide
pink: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/species-especes/pink-rose-eng.html
coho: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/species-especes/coho-eng.html
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http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fish_profile/coho_salmon.html
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fish_profile/pink_salmon.html
it is on rod main page...how lazy can you get with all the provided info.
Yeah Im super lazy to even care to learn a quick way to distinguish salmon species.
I've looked at the dfo site and rod's page numerous times but when you have just caught a fish and trying to decide wheather it's a wild coho or pink can be challenging, especially for newbies like me. If it's a wild coho I wanna make sure I don't drag it to the shore.
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Thanks Ralph!!
the tail is the easiest way.
Pinks have abundant large oval shaped spots over the entire tail:
(http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/images/species/Salmon/pink.jpg)
(http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/images/species/Salmon/pinktail.jpg)
coho have very sparse small spots usually only on the top edge:
(http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/images/species/Salmon/coho.jpg)
(http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/images/species/Salmon/cohotail.jpg)
see these 2 sites for full id guide
pink: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/species-especes/pink-rose-eng.html
coho: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/species-especes/coho-eng.html
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Yeah Im super lazy to even care to learn a quick way to distinguish salmon species.
I've looked at the dfo site and rod's page numerous times but when you have just caught a fish and trying to decide wheather it's a wild coho or pink can be challenging, especially for newbies like me. If it's a wild coho I wanna make sure I don't drag it to the shore.
Unlike what experienced anglers may believe, fish identification is extremely challenging for new anglers. What may look easy in textbook photos, can be much more difficult when the fish is splashing around in the water.
With that said, The best characteristic used to differentiate between the two species are the spotting. Pink salmon has oval spots across its back and the entire tail. Coho salmon have much smaller dot-like spots across its back, and a few on the top portion of the tail.
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Also, notice the "sheen" on the tail of a Coho.
It looks like someone has taken a brush full of silver paint and just touched the tail of it.
Coho will be "new dime" bright all over while pinks have a white belly.
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For me, the challenge is more in differentiating pinks from jack springs. Both can be approx the same size, both have black gums, and both have spots (albiet different spots) on the entire tail and back.
I have also caught coho with spots on the lower part of the tail, so you do have to be on your toes. The recommendation to use three identifying marks is a sound one.
Agreed Rod. Like any learned skill, ID'ing a fish takes field practice, will involve trial and honest error.
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jacks will have a bigger adipose.
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In addition to scale size and oval, Ill-defined spots, I look at the narrow v- shaped jaw on the pink. Pretty pointy. When in doubt, ask or release.
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For me, the challenge is more in differentiating pinks from jack springs. Both can be approx the same size, both have black gums, and both have spots (albiet different spots) on the entire tail and back.
I have also caught coho with spots on the lower part of the tail, so you do have to be on your toes. The recommendation to use three identifying marks is a sound one.
Agreed Rod. Like any learned skill, ID'ing a fish takes field practice, will involve trial and honest error.
If you catch any fish on the lower part of the tail, let it go! ;) ;) ;)
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Pinks have black gums, Coho have white gums
Thats Chinooks bro, thanks for the lesson
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By now it will be obvious. The Pinks will be turning colour and the males will have humps. The coho will still be nice and silver. As others have already mentioned, one look at the tail and it is obvious.
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If you catch any fish on the lower part of the tail, let it go! ;) ;) ;)
A little bit of tail is always nice. ::) But that species should always be released no matter where it is hooked. :o
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Thats Chinooks bro, thanks for the lesson
Hey "bro" - pinks have black gums as well. Check out this DFO quote from the identification page:
"The mouth in a pink salmon is white, but the gums are black, as they are in a chinook. It does not have "teeth" on its tongue."
Website address:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/species-especes/pink-rose-eng.html
Cheers... :)