"Last year, a lot of captains kept it a secret, but if you could find No. 10 or 11 count sardines, that was the ticket when you are trolling," Squires said. "It could have something to do with the sardine's oil lasting longer on your bait, because the sardines last a lot longer on your bait than anchovies do."

Over the last two years, marinating baits has helped Squires and many other anglers increase their catch rates.

"The first thing I do in the morning is dump a whole bottle of the Liquid Krill in the tray, so it helps marinate better. My thought process is that it actually soaks the scent into the bait. All I'm trying to do is solicit a strike from a fish, and if that fish smells not one but two scents, you are in good shape," Squires said.

"A lot of people think that two scents confuse the fish. But come on, a fish isn't that smart. All they know is how to eat and how to spawn."

There are times when fish do want just one single scent, and anything else might be a deterrent. But more often than not, the added scent helps.

Scent in the ocean is vital for more than just cut baits. In fact, many believe it's more important when lure-fishing.

"Lures in and of themselves are strictly attractors. Once the fish locate the attractor, you want to have some scents in the water to get them to feed. And because krill is so plentiful out there, the Gel Krill paste is a marriage made in the water," Squires added.

With baits now in hand, deciding where to fish is next on your to-do list. Many factors contribute to where salmon can be found. They are often on the move, following bait.

One of the best ways to keep track of pods of salmon is to subscribe to an online fishing report -- or call harbors, guides or tackle shops and ask them.

You can also use Mother Nature to help you find salmon. Eyeing whales and birds is important because they are feeding in the same areas as salmon.

Whales feed on krill, anchovies and sardines. And if you can find feeding pelicans, you can bet there are schools of salmon underneath them.

In the early season, you typically fish south of the Bay Area. Salmon are on the final end of the southern migration and feeding heavily in Monterey.

Finding fish may not be too challenging. Often there will be a congregation of boats trolling around them. In June, a lot of anglers will be fishing the waters between Monterey and the Farrallon Islands.