Originally published in 2015, this guide was fully updated in September 2026 with expanded cut plug herring instructions, refreshed photos and videos.
Cut plug herring is one of the classic methods for targeting Chinook salmon on the B.C. coast. When properly cut and rigged, the herring produces a tight, consistent roll that can be extremely effective for feeding salmon.
During the summer months, Chinook feed heavily on baitfish such as herring as they build energy before returning to their spawning rivers. Cutting the head of the herring at an angle and removing the viscera causes the bait to roll as it is trolled through the water.
Getting that roll right is one of the most important parts of fishing a cut plug. In this guide, I’ll go through selecting and preparing the herring, cutting the bait, rigging the hooks, and checking the action before sending it down on the downrigger.
For more information on trolling, downriggers, terminal tackle, and other salmon fishing techniques, see the FishinBC.COM Complete Guide to Salmon Fishing.
Herring Selection: Finding the Right Bait
Frozen herring is widely available at tackle shops, marinas, and other stores along the B.C. coast. Herring is sold in several different sizes, but my go-to choice for cut plug fishing is medium-sized herring.
Whatever size you choose, look for good-quality bait with firm bodies, intact skin, and plenty of scales. The condition of the herring matters because damaged or soft bait is harder to rig and is more likely to tear apart while trolling.
When buying frozen herring, take a close look at the package before taking it to the counter. I prefer herring packed in plastic trays because they help protect the skin and scales. With older style cardboard trays, the frozen herring can stick to the cardboard and tear when you separate the bait.
Look for packages with herring that still have good skin, plenty of scales, and firm-looking bellies. Heavy ice buildup inside the package, cloudy eyes, loose scales, or damaged bellies can be signs that the bait is old or has been poorly stored. If there are several packages in the freezer, it’s worth taking a minute to choose the best ones.
If you’re using vacuum-packed herring, cut or pierce the package before it begins to thaw to release the vacuum. As the herring softens, the vacuum pressure, if not released, will squish the fish inside the packaging, damaging the flesh and making the bait much more difficult to rig properly.
Brining Herring Before Rigging
Brining your herring before fishing helps firm up the bait so it holds together better on the hooks and maintains a good roll while trolling.
My simplest method is to put the frozen herring into a small plastic bin and cover it with coarse salt. I’ve used this method many times because it is quick, easy, and produces very firm bait.
For cut plug herring, however, I prefer a saltwater brine because it firms the bait without drying it out as much as straight salt. A basic brine for 3–5 trays of herring is:
- 8 litres (2 gallons) of non-chlorinated water
- 4 cups (about 1 litre) of coarse salt
- A small amount of laundry bluing, added until the water has a light blue colour
Stir the mixture until the salt has dissolved, then add the frozen herring. You’ll begin to notice the bait firming up after a couple of hours, but preparing it the night before and leaving it in the brine overnight works best.
There are many variations on this basic brine, including the addition of colouring, borax, powdered milk, scents, and commercial brining products. For more information on these options and the complete brining process, see Herring Brine for Trophy Chinook Salmon Fishing.
Cutting the Herring
I use a herring cutting miter box to make the angled cut for my cut plugs. The box holds the herring in position and gives me a consistent cutting angle from one bait to the next.
Place the herring in the miter box and use a long, very sharp fillet knife to remove the head with a single clean stroke. Avoid sawing back and forth through the fish. A clean cut leaves a smooth edge and helps prevent damage to the skin and flesh.
Once the head is removed, use the tip of the knife to loosen and remove the viscera from the body cavity. The herring is then ready for the hooks.
Rigging the Hooks and Leader
For cut plug herring, I use a tandem two-hook rig tied with 30- or 40-pound leader. When targeting large Chinook, I commonly use two 5/0 Gamakatsu Octopus Hooks, which have been my go-to hooks for this type of fishing. For smaller Chinook or smaller herring, you can drop down to 4/0 hooks. Owner also makes excellent hooks that work well for this application.
I tie the hooks to the leader with snell knots and space them approximately 3 to 5 inches apart. The spacing is important because the trailing hook needs to reach well back on the herring. If the hooks are too close together, the trailing hook will sit too far forward on the bait.
Whatever hook size you use, make sure the hooks are extremely sharp. A cut plug may troll for quite a while before a fish strikes, so I check the hook points regularly and sharpen or replace them when necessary.
Rigging the Cut Plug Herring
Start with the trailing hook. Insert the point into the long, high side of the angled cut, immediately beside the spine. Push the hook completely through the thick part of the flesh and out through the side of the herring. Pull the trailing hook and leader all the way through the hole and leave the hook hanging loose for now.
Next, insert the leading hook into the firm flesh on the high side of the cut, close to the spine. Pull the leader through until the leading hook sits firmly against the herring. This is your main pulling hook.
It is important to place the leading hook on the high side of the cut where the spine provides support. Avoid putting it into the short, low side of the cut, where the flesh is thinner and more likely to tear while trolling.
Finally, take the trailing hook and insert it into the side of the herring farther back toward the tail. You can position it on the same side as the leading hook or on the opposite side, leaving an exposed hook point on each side of the bait. Keep the trailing hook straight and make sure the point is completely exposed and razor-sharp.
Testing the Roll
Before sending your cut plug down on the downrigger, always test the roll beside the boat. This only takes a few seconds and lets you make sure the bait is working properly before you start fishing.
A properly rigged cut plug herring should have a tight, fast, consistent roll. I like to think of it as looking similar to a drill bit or auger turning through the water. The entire bait should rotate tightly rather than having the tail swing around in a wide circle like a propeller.
If the roll doesn’t look right, check the position of your hooks and make an adjustment. Sometimes a small change in the position of the trailing hook is enough to improve the action. If you can’t get the herring rolling properly, re-rig it or replace the bait rather than fishing with a poor presentation.
Once you’re fishing, check your herring regularly. I will often pull the gear up after 15 to 20 minutes to check the bait, particularly if nothing is happening. Look for weeds or other debris, make sure the herring is still intact, and test the roll again before sending it back down. Replace the bait when the skin or flesh becomes damaged enough that it will no longer hold a good roll.
Herring Rig Videos
The following three videos provide additional demonstrations of how to prepare and rig a cut plug herring. They are useful for seeing the process in action, particularly the angle of the cut, placement of the hooks, and the rolling action you’re trying to achieve.
Your Turn
Cut plug herring has been one of my go-to methods for targeting Chinook salmon for many years. It takes a little practice to consistently get the cut, hook placement, and roll right, but once you learn the technique it becomes a simple and effective way to fish herring.
If you fish cut plug herring, I’d like to hear what works for you. What size herring and hooks do you prefer? Do you rig your trailing hook differently, use a different brine, or have another trick for getting a consistent roll?
Leave a comment below and share your cut plug herring tips and experiences.
Excellent tips and I love that fish cleaning station.