hook size?

[slayerofthesea]

What size and brand hook do you use for winter steelhead?  Any advice on  tactics? Will worms under a bobber work?  Maybe the fake pink 4 inch worms? I have done alot of research  but wanted to know what works well in the NW.

[snowpack]

yeah those pink worms work pretty good, just need to get the right depth and presentation.  Hook size varies with river/visibility.  Some of the rivers you can get away with smaller baits.  There are methods to matching the hook to a bait, like for a corky, I make sure that if you were to draw a cone around the corky, that the hook fits just right inside that cone.
I kind of like the sickle hooks and octopus hooks.

[Button Nubbs]

Kind of a loaded question but for most things I will use a #1. If the rivers dirty you can go bigger but if its clearer you may need to go smaller. Most time I will use either a #2 or #1 but have been known to drop to #4's and go up to a 2/0 depending on conditions and technique. Pink worms will work but they are more of a run and gun type bait. If a fish is in the hole and wants it they will usually hammer it in the first couple casts. Jigs work fantastic as well as sand shrimp, Corkies and yarn, and yarnies, there's a bunch of stuff you can try. If your just starting out I would pick one presentation and stick with it until you get a good grasp of what your supposed to be doing. If you see people around you catching fish don't be afraid to ask what they are using. Pay attention to the small details, sometimes they make the biggest difference. If you have any more questions don't be afraid to ask.

[Button Nubbs]

Oh and I've used damn near every hook out there and I keep going back to the gamakatsus.

[Button Nubbs]

yeah those pink worms work pretty good, just need to get the right depth and presentation.  Hook size varies with river/visibility.  Some of the rivers you can get away with smaller baits.  There are methods to matching the hook to a bait, like for a corky, I make sure that if you were to draw a cone around the corky, that the hook fits just right inside that cone.
I kind of like the sickle hooks and octopus hooks.

For matching corky size to hooks I will slide the dorky in between the shaft and point of the hook if it passes through you ave the right size hook if it dosent you need to pick a bigger hook. Octopus hooks are really your only choice. Remember though steelhead seem to prefer smaller baits. Sorry for all the info but I am getting jacked and can't wait. In all reality were only about 3 weeks out. Just need a gullywasher or 2.

[slayerofthesea]

Would plunking spin~n~glos and corkys with yarn work work? What size line? I have 15lbs test. Also will a 8 foot pole work? ( Bait caster). I have a 10 footer but its a heavy action and would look goofy on the river bar.

[slayerofthesea]

Also can you use a 3 way swivle with a long leader and throw a spoon on the end? Will the spoon work with the current or would it just sit in on the bottom?

[RadSav]

Great advise from Button Nubbs   Can't really disagree with anything there.  I love Owner and Diachii hooks, but now that we've been forced to barbless Gamu really has that one nailed.

I've caught the majority of my steelhead on 8' rods, but the 10' will really add to your ability to work bobbers properly.  Who cares what others think about your heavy rod.  Just catch more fish than them and they will give it a rest.  15# is fine.  I use it a lot on the Vedder where I might accidentally hook into a large King and not want to lose my gear.  Though in local rivers I prefer 10 or 12#.  Especially when trying to keep line above a bobber out of the drift.  But, again, if you are catching fish who cares what line you are using.

I do not like plunking with corkys.  Much prefer going large with Spin-n-Glo and a cocktail trailer if you plan to plunk.  It's very effective if you know how to read the water.  The superior self proclaimed ethic angler snobby experts will give you more grief for plunking than just about anything else, in my experience.  But, when I guided, we had a good number of retired guys that just could not drift all day.  Interestingly enough they caught the most fish from the bank year in and year out.  Only plugs from the drift boat out produced plunking.  I find it boring, but it most definitely is productive when placed in the right spot.

[snowpack]

spoons usually need some good fast water to get some good lift and spin/wobble going.  With plunking you usually find the hole where the water starts to slow down and cast just upstream and let the bait/setup work into the hole.  I guess a light enough spoon might get some action going, not sure.  spin-n-glos float so they work well in that low flow part of the hole. If using the three way swivel it is generally recommended to use a lighter line to the weight in case you have to break it off, you still have the swivel/spin-n-glo/hook.

[Button Nubbs]

Plunking is typically done with bait. The scent travels down stream and the fish will follow the trail up to get it. Some may disagree but I'd stay away from spoons for a while as its not the easiest technique to master.

Its really hard to beat handing someone new a float set up and let them get used to that. Float goes down set the hook. Its that easy. Of course you want to make sure your mending properly so you can get a good drag free drift. Braided line really helps with mending.

Where are you from?

[slayerofthesea]

I am in Westport but  plan on fishing  humptulips and areas around GH.

[Button Nubbs]

I am in Westport but  plan on fishing  humptulips and areas around GH.

 Best steelhead fishing in the state is to your north. Try to find a buddy who really knows what he's doing and go with him. Hang on every word theu have to say...

[Houndhunter]

I liked owner hooks for my single hook set ups, vision for my doubles. I use a 1 or 2 for my single set ups, 4's on the double hook set up. I always went 12lbs main line, 8lbs leaders and rarely 10lbs leaders. Get a 9'6'' rod, best overall size.

The pink worm can be magical, i liked the 5-6in baby pink with a dull finish. If you use a bobber, which is what i typically did with worms, tie a short leader and have a weight at the swivel where you tie the leader too. Run your bobber above your swivel, basically side drifting a bobber if that makes sense. I hardly ever fished a bobber "normal" always "side drifted" them but i was usually in a boat too.

Research yarn balls, they'll be your new best friend

[slayerofthesea]

Okay so I figured out that yarn balls are used alot but how do you  fish them? Drift them with a 36inch leader with a weight like you do eggs? Float it under a bobber set up?

[duchunter]

Button Nubs info is good, here is a site to go to for more info,
good luck

http://www.piscatorialpursuits.com/resourcecenter/index.htm

[slayerofthesea]

Will something like this work? Its about the size of my ring finger nail. I was wondering if I needed to make it more round.

[slayerofthesea]

Button Nubs info is good, here is a site to go to for more info,
good luck

http://www.piscatorialpursuits.com/resourcecenter/index.htm

I might have to spend some time on this site. Thank you.

[Button Nubbs]

Yarnies.

http://www.theoutdoorline.com/blog/2012/12/20/durable-steelie-yarnies/

[slayerofthesea]

Okay I see. They are bigger then what I made.

[Houndhunter]

No no no, think small and round. I fish baits off my yarn balls, but the great thing bout yarn balls is you don't "need" bait. Drift fishing from a boat you may not have time to rebait, so your always fishing something with yarnies. Make a ball bout the size of a dime, throw bait on it too. That is if your have the time

[slayerofthesea]

Okay. my question is whats thhe best way to put it on? Do I put it on the hook or do I run my leader threw it?

[slayerofthesea]

Also do the yarn balls work for salmon  and trout?

[Houndhunter]

I tie my yarnies when i tie on my hooks onto the leader and trim to size. I think my way of doing it is well known now, but not sure i can explain it. You should have a bait loop on the hook with a finished yarn ball.

[Button Nubbs]

Thread them on your leader with a bait threader. Pretie leaders at home so your not spending time on the river bank doing it.

[RadSav]

Okay. my question is whats thhe best way to put it on? Do I put it on the hook or do I run my leader threw it?

I've run them both ways as well as attaching via the egg loop.  As long as the presentation is correct it all works.  However, I like nothing on the hook, but the fish's lip   So I usually thread the leader or use the egg loop.

Following pictures are size and style of egg loop I like best when using yarn balls.

[Button Nubbs]

Not a fan of the baitlooop radsav?

[krzy4elk]

   Howdy Bub,  You can get some good tips & specific info. on lakes, rivers, salt water, etc., from washingtonlakes.com    Free site but well worth the money for premium membership if your just learning!  check it out & hope it helps, Tight lines & good luck!   P.S.  Grab a copy of The Reel News at tackle stores & go to their meetings.

[RadSav]

Not a fan of the baitlooop radsav?

Type of bait loop makes a big difference.  You certainly have to be careful about presentation with any of the bait loops.  Threading on the leader assures a good presentation and I agree it is generally better.  Though I find I use the yarn balls more when it is easy to switch out color and/or flavor so I'm usually using the bait loop - carefully.  Where you can use the two hook method you showed earlier...that's SWEET!  I like adding a small corky above for some added buoyancy at times.  That two hook method is almost impossible to present poorly.

Dental Gauze is another of my favorites.  Comes in a stick form you can cut.  Add coloring or a little yarn and it works fantastic with no effort at all.  Really soaks up scent/flavor and keeps it on the gear longer than acrylic yarn does. For me the dental gauze is on everything I run when water is dark/muddy.  I also like to run a little more weight during dark water too.  Let it stick once in a while when drifting to slow down the presentation.  Always felt it made it easier for the fish to find it and with sight distance reduced presentation of the drift was not as important.

[Panic Minnow]

New color for Steelhead.....

[lostbackpacker]

I use a treble hook with a heavy weight.  they cast really good and far.  you should really use about an 8 ft leader.   

[TheHunt]

I usually put the yarnies on the egg loop.  There is a way to put the tag end back into knot so that you have two loops.  THen you have one for the yarn ball and the other for eggs.  This is a crazy bait and others have mentioned other methods.  Nubbs has this down. 

You are living this the wheel house of steelhead.  Please post up your catch as you fish this winter. 

[slayerofthesea]

I am going to get some yarn today. I was thinking pink peach and orange and I am going to make some up tonite. When I get done I will post the yarnies I made. I might pick up some pink worms to throw in the box.

[slayerofthesea]

Got home late tonight. Here is what I have done so far.

[Button Nubbs]

 

[slayerofthesea]

The more I make them the better they turn out  Im very excited about this. I made 15 with  20 inches.  5 inches of  clippings is not bad for my first time making them.

[snocohunter]

I learned that the trick to nice perfectly round yarnies is a good pair of scissors. I got some that have a curve to them and they are tits. I have always drift fished mine, need to learn the bobber and jig stuff one of these days

[RadSav]

I learned that the trick to nice perfectly round yarnies is a good pair of scissors.

Oh so true!  I usually go to a fabric store and get the best small pair of Fiskars I can find.  I like the spring loaded ones with straight handles.  And if you want them to last...hide them from the wife!  I'm not sure how women mess them up so dang fast.  Must use them to cut concrete slabs or something when I'm not looking

[snocohunter]

  I bought some made for fly tying I believe.  Have some of those fiskars for yarn cutting in the boat or on the bank though.