Looking for answers about steelhead beads and salmon beads? This FAQ covers everything from choosing the right soft beads for steelhead fishing to rigging, sizes, colors, and common questions about shipping, orders, and Steelhead Candy products.
Orders are typically processed quickly and shipped within 1 - 3 business days. Delivery times vary depending on your location.
Our goal is for every customer to be totally satisfied with their purchase. If this isn't the case, let us know and we'll do our best to work with you to make it right.
All Steelhead Candy soft beads are proudly made in the USA, in Portland, Oregon, and designed specifically for Pacific Northwest fisheries.
Most of our beads feature UV enhancement for added visibility in changing light and water conditions. Check individual product descriptions for details.
Yes, Steelhead Candy soft beads are designed to be neutrally buoyant for a natural drift in current.
Steelhead Candy soft beads are made from premium soft plastic for a natural drift and lifelike feel, helping fish hold on longer. They’re neutrally buoyant, designed for real river conditions, and proudly made in the USA.
Soft beads are realistic egg imitations made from soft plastic, designed to drift naturally and feel lifelike when fish bite.
Yes, soft beads are reusable and can last through multiple fish, though they may wear down over time with repeated use. Replacing them once they lose shape helps maintain the best presentation.
Soft beads provide a more natural texture, which encourages fish to hold on longer and improves hook-up ratios compared to hard plastic beads.
The best soft beads for steelhead fishing imitate natural salmon eggs and drift naturally in current. Soft beads offer a more realistic feel than hard beads, helping convert more bites into solid hook-ups—especially in pressured rivers. You can explore our full selection of steelhead beads here.
Natural egg colors work well in clear water, while brighter colors stand out in dirty or glacial water. Having a mix of both is key for changing river conditions.
Most steelhead anglers use 8mm–14mm beads. Smaller beads work best in clear water or low flows, while larger beads are more visible in higher or off-color water.
For salmon fishing, most anglers use anywhere from 10mm–19mm beads depending on the species and water conditions. Larger beads are often better for chinook.
The best salmon beads closely match the size and color of real eggs in the river.
Beads are typically fished under a float or drifted naturally along the bottom, allowing them to mimic free-floating eggs in the current.
Soft beads are rigged above a hook using a peg, usually 1–2 inches above. This setup improves hook-up rates and keeps fish hooked cleanly—learn more in our steelhead bead fishing guide.
Yes, soft beads can be very effective for spring chinook, especially when fish are holding in slower water and reacting to natural presentations.
Yes, soft beads are very effective for coho salmon, especially when fish are reacting to drifting eggs in river systems.
Beads work year-round but are especially effective during and after salmon spawn, when eggs are naturally present in the river.
Bead fishing is a technique that imitates loose salmon eggs drifting naturally in the current—one of the most effective and natural presentations available.
Leader strength depends on conditions, but most anglers use 8–12 lb for steelhead and 12–20 lb for salmon.