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[paulj]

Hey guys,

Need  ur advise on how I can quickly differentiate while I'm fishing between coho and pink.  I know pinks have smaller scales. Anything else in should look for?  Was fishing in in the ocean and could not quickly tell which was which. 

[zap brannigan]

Pinks have larger tail spots.

[Fishawn]

Pink spots are all over the tail, whereas coho usually only have a few on the top half of the tail. 

[Dr. Backlash]

Pinks have black gums, Coho have white gums

[bunnta]

http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fish_profile/coho_salmon.html
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fish_profile/pink_salmon.html
 it is on rod main page...how lazy can you get with all the provided info.

[TacoChris]

It is on the DFO website as well anyone salmon fishing should study it and take a copy with them in the boat. The DFO recommends checking at least 3 identifying marks.

As for the first thing I would look for is oval spots.

[salmonlover]

http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fish_profile/coho_salmon.html
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fish_profile/pink_salmon.html
 it is on rod main page...how lazy can you get with all the provided info.

He is obviously new to this site, look at his post count. So give him time to learn how to use this site to his advantage. Secondly this person should not be scolded for asking an important question he's trying to learn.  It's better to ask and not ask at all. Post like yours can detour this individual and others due to fear of being berated.

[Rodney]

This post has lots of photos showing different characteristics of each salmon species.

http://www.fishingwithrod.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=27823.msg263623#msg263623

[RalphH]

the tail is the easiest way.



Pinks have abundant large oval shaped spots over the entire tail:





coho have very sparse small spots usually only on the top edge:





see these 2 sites for full id guide

pink: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/species-especes/pink-rose-eng.html

coho: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/species-especes/coho-eng.html

[paulj]

http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fish_profile/coho_salmon.html
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fish_profile/pink_salmon.html
 it is on rod main page...how lazy can you get with all the provided info.

Yeah Im super lazy to even  care to learn a quick way to distinguish salmon species. 
I've looked at the dfo site and rod's page numerous times but when you have  just caught a fish and trying to decide wheather it's a wild coho or pink can be challenging, especially for newbies like me.  If it's a wild coho I wanna make sure I don't drag it to the shore. 

[paulj]

Thanks Ralph!!

the tail is the easiest way.



Pinks have abundant large oval shaped spots over the entire tail:





coho have very sparse small spots usually only on the top edge:





see these 2 sites for full id guide

pink: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/species-especes/pink-rose-eng.html

coho: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/species-especes/coho-eng.html

[Rodney]

Yeah Im super lazy to even  care to learn a quick way to distinguish salmon species. 
I've looked at the dfo site and rod's page numerous times but when you have  just caught a fish and trying to decide wheather it's a wild coho or pink can be challenging, especially for newbies like me.  If it's a wild coho I wanna make sure I don't drag it to the shore.

Unlike what experienced anglers may believe, fish identification is extremely challenging for new anglers. What may look easy in textbook photos, can be much more difficult when the fish is splashing around in the water.

With that said, The best characteristic used to differentiate between the two species are the spotting. Pink salmon has oval spots across its back and the entire tail. Coho salmon have much smaller dot-like spots across its back, and a few on the top portion of the tail.

[Easywater]

Also, notice the "sheen" on the tail of a Coho.
It looks like someone has taken a brush full of silver paint and just touched the tail of it.

Coho will be "new dime" bright all over while pinks have a white belly.

[clarki]

For me, the challenge is more in differentiating pinks from jack springs.  Both can be approx the same size, both have black gums, and both have spots (albiet different spots) on the entire tail and back.

I have also caught coho with spots on the lower part of the tail, so you do have to be on your toes. The recommendation to use three identifying marks is a sound one.

Agreed Rod. Like any learned skill, ID'ing a fish takes field practice, will involve trial and honest error.   

[zap brannigan]

jacks will have a bigger adipose.