Fishing to English please?

[StevensMan]

I was reading an article
http://espn.go.com/outdoors/fishing/s/f_map_03_WA_coho.html
It says: "Often on a summer morning, lots of bait balls can be seen popping on the surface around north Puget Sound."

What are "bait balls"? How do I know when I see one?

Thanks,
Anton

[mkronmal]

First hint is a pile of birds overhead. Bait fish tend to school and will form a "ball" near the surface. Predatory fish, dolphins, etc. will chase the ball and the ocean will show frothy, jumpy fish on the surface.

[SPUD]

You can see the little herring jumping right out of the water. It is best to fish by the bait ball instead of "in" it as this will scatter the ball.
Just troll next to it....turn....and troll by again. It is also fun to have a sabiki jig ready on a light spinning rod and catch some herring live. If you are mooching, just toss the buzz bomb right in the center. This weekend at MidChannel bank we saw a dozen of these balls hit the surface. The birds were having a field day....and I am sure the salmon and dogfish were too ! We got two salmon and 4 dogfish !

Spud

[StevensMan]

Thank you for the explanation.