A Simple UV Trick That’s Putting More Great Lakes Salmon in the Boat

By Andy Bliss

We’re in the heart of salmon season on the Great Lakes. As always, anglers and charter captains are trolling spoons, flies, and cut bait. That formula has worked for decades, and it’s not going anywhere.

What does change every season, though, is the little things that help you catch a few more fish than the boat next to you. Those small adjustments often make the biggest difference. This year, one of my biggest advantages has come from something simple—a squeeze of Atlas Mike’s UV Enhancer.

UV has been one of the biggest trends in fishing over the last decade. It’s everywhere, from UV tape and paints to lure finishes designed to stand out underwater. The challenge has always been figuring out the easiest way to add UV to the baits we’re already fishing. For me, Atlas Mike’s UV Enhancer has solved that problem. All it takes is a healthy squeeze from the bottle, and your bait instantly has the added visibility you’re looking for.

We’ve all seen how UV helps fish locate baits in low-light conditions, stained water, and during the early morning bite. By adding UV Enhancer to my baits, I’m convinced salmon are spotting them from farther away and reacting more consistently. These days, I’m applying UV to just about every bait I troll. On the Great Lakes, where clear water often forces us to fish deeper and farther behind the boat, every little advantage matters. UV helps my presentations stand out to wary salmon.

Another feature I really like is that UV Enhancer isn’t just available in clear. It also comes in blue, pink, and chartreuse, allowing me to add both UV attraction and a subtle color adjustment at the same time. That’s a big advantage when targeting a variety of species, including king salmon, coho salmon, steelhead, and lake trout.

How I Use It

Every bait starts with a good brine. I brine all of my bait using Fire Brine, with Natural being the most popular choice on the Great Lakes. That said, plenty of anglers also have success with Chartreuse and Blue, and believe it or not, there are even a handful of fishermen who swear by Pink.

Once salmon season gets rolling, we almost always have bait in the water. This time of year, we’re primarily fishing meat rigs, with the occasional spoon mixed into the spread.

There are plenty of quality meat rigs available today, and tackle shops across the Great Lakes are stocked with options. Personally, I fish A-TOM-MIK meat rigs exclusively. This summer, my most productive colors have been Summer Glow, Yellow Jacket, Frog, and Glow Chartreuse.

For flashers, white has consistently outfished everything else. I’m running Michigan Stinger 8-inch 360 Flashers, with white blades dressed in a variety of color patterns depending on the conditions.

My Bait Prep Process

Here’s the process I follow before every trip:

• Start with fresh ballyhoo, herring strips, or alewives.
• Place the bait in Fire Brine, making sure it’s completely covered.
• Let the bait soak overnight. For the best results, I’ll often let it soak for up to 72 hours.
• Add approximately 1/8 of a bottle of Atlas Mike’s UV Enhancer to the brine.
• I typically prepare 24 to 32 pieces of bait at a time.
• Finish by adding Atlas Mike’s Bait Brightener before storing the bait until it’s ready to fish.

Taking a little extra time to prepare your bait pays off on the water. Between a properly brined bait, proven meat rigs, and the added visibility from Atlas Mike’s UV Enhancer, I’ve seen a noticeable improvement in my catch rates this season. Topping the process off with Atlas Mike’s Bait Brightener gives my bait an even more attractive finish. It’s a simple addition to my routine, but in salmon fishing, those small advantages are often what separate a good day from a great one.

Editor’s Note: Andy Bliss operates Chasin Tail Adventures. For more info on his Great Lakes salmon trips please visit: https://chasintailadventures.com.