In my experience , salmon come in with the tide, usually chasing the bait forced up against the shoreline by current and predators. It makes for some of the most exciting fishing I have ever experienced! Often I can see the salmon chasing the bait . A well placed buzz bomb, my shore lure of choice, can lead to the wildest fight you can imagine. Nevermind trying to actually land a big spring. Caught my best chinook this way off the rocks at Fisgard lighthouse.