For over two decades, Jason Brooks has been a leading voice of Columbia River salmon fishing, contributing invaluable knowledge to the Mack’s Lure community through detailed articles, educational content, and proven techniques that have helped thousands of anglers catch salmon. Here are a few of the best tips from this master angler to help you be successful on the Columbia River as the 2025 season takes off.
“Dropping gear down slowly so as not to have it tangle is the key to catching salmon at the famed Buoy 10,” Brooks emphasizes in his Buoy 10 Tips Article. This fundamental technique, refined through decades of experience, separates successful anglers from frustrated ones. Brooks recommends using cannonball weights from 8-16 ounces on a short dropper and slider, leading to an in-line flasher trailing a plug-cut herring. With nearly 4 feet between weight and bait, creating potential tangle chaos, the slow drop is non-negotiable.
The Money Move: Once you hit bottom, do a half crank up on the reel, place it in the rod holder, and put your hands in your pockets. Brooks recalls his son landing an 18-pound Upriver Bright before he could even warm his fingers—that’s the power of proper patience.
Astoria-Megler Bridge Area: This is where Brooks consistently starts, fishing primarily on the east side or “above the bridge.” “From Astoria, all the way to the red marker near the Columbia River Bar, which is designated with the number 10,” he explains, defining the entire fishery boundary.
Advanced Positioning: Brooks cautions that anything from the Church Hole downriver becomes big water that can turn quickly depending on winds and tides. Years of experience has taught him to read conditions and position accordingly.
“With each incoming tide, more fish push up into the river. The tides here are so strong that when it is at high tide, the fish will be facing downriver, as that is where the current is coming from,” Brooks explains in his seminal tide-reading guidance.
Brooks’ Tide Strategy:
Through his extensive product testing and field reports for Mack’s Lure, Brooks has identified the most effective tackle combinations:
360 Flasher Setup: For spinners and small lures, Brooks switches to standard 11-inch saltwater flashers that make large rotations such as the ScentFlash UV Paddle Flasher. Using short, stout 40-pound monofilament leaders, the spinner kicks out, creating impulse bites where salmon react on pure instinct.
Advanced Pro Techniques: Decades of Refinement
As documented in his seasonal strategy articles, Brooks notes that September brings different challenges and opportunities. Chinook regulations tighten, but Coho fishing heats up with increased daily limits. The key is adapting to changing conditions while maintaining fundamental techniques.
Equipment Essentials: “Everyone here uses a dropper weight and trolling setup. The standard is a cannonball on a slider, and the weight will vary depending on the tides and current, as well as how many rods you are fishing,” Brooks explains, as he recommends leaving downriggers at home for Buoy 10 fishing.
Low Tide Swing Days: Head to waters closer to the ocean where fish mill around before committing to their upriver journey.
Backup Plans: When salmon fishing slows, Brooks prefers to drop a few crab pots into the water near Ilwaco or targeting bottom fish like black sea bass and lingcod along the jetties, creating a multi-species opportunity.
Late August Closures: During closure periods for Chinook escapement, focus on crabbing and bottom fishing. He says this strategy has saved countless trips over the years.
In his Buoy 10 recap, Brooks shared invaluable insights that remain relevant: “Bait ruled this year. Mostly cut-plug herring with anchovies sporting silver hoods also being popular.” He notes how single-point Gamakatsu 3/0 hooks snelled on twenty-five-pound clear monofilament secured in plug-cut herring trailing behind a Flasher became the predominant setup.
Key Observations:
Brooks’ practical approach focuses on understanding fish behavior rather than simply following formulas. “Think about the fish you are going after, where to fish for them, and how to get your bait to the fish”. It is important for anglers to think like fish rather than just follow instructions.
The 10% Principle: “Anglers often hear about how ten percent of the fishermen catch ninety percent of the fish, and maybe this is not completely true, but there are things that you can do before hitting the water that will increase your catch”. Brooks reminds us that preparation and attention to detail is what separates successful anglers from the crowd.
It is important to follow responsible fishing practices. “Be sure to check for in-season updates and know the rules,” Brooks advises, noting that both Washington and Oregon licenses work, but catch codes differ.
The Brooks Bottom Line for 2025
Success at Buoy 10 comes down to mastering fundamentals: proper gear deployment, tide awareness, appropriate tackle selection, and patience. With these time-tested techniques, Brooks’ approach has consistently produced memorable fish throughout decades of Buoy 10 seasons.
Brooks’ decades of experience and repository of articles provides anglers with an unparalleled resource. His expertise, refined through thousands of hours on the water and shared generously through educational content, represent the best in Columbia River salmon fishing.
The key is preparation, observation, and letting the Columbia’s rhythms dictate your approach. These are valuable lessons that will serve Mack's Lure community well in the 2025 season.
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