Steelhead

[snowpack]

Picked up a few Beau Mac Floats, 3/4 I believe... and some Marabou Steelhead Jigs in 1/4oz with a 1/0 Hook size. Is this stuff gonna be good enough? Im really a noob when It comes to floating a jig.
If so what kind of weight do I need to add "if any"?"

Really depends on the river conditions.  If it is low and clear, might drop down to 1/8 oz with a #1 hook.  Small, clear leader.  If any color in the river the 1/4 should work good.  Really strange how fish so big prefer bait so small.  what colors did you get?  the whites and pinks seem good for the winter steel.  the blacks and purples seem to work good for summer runs.

[_TONY_]

They call steelies the fish of 1000 casts.

That's only what people that suck at steelhead angling, or fly guys say! 

[_TONY_]

Picked up a few Beau Mac Floats, 3/4 I believe... and some Marabou Steelhead Jigs in 1/4oz with a 1/0 Hook size. Is this stuff gonna be good enough? Im really a noob when It comes to floating a jig.
If so what kind of weight do I need to add "if any"?"

Really depends on the river conditions.  If it is low and clear, might drop down to 1/8 oz with a #1 hook.  Small, clear leader.  If any color in the river the 1/4 should work good.  Really strange how fish so big prefer bait so small.  what colors did you get?  the whites and pinks seem good for the winter steel.  the blacks and purples seem to work good for summer runs.

River conditions are a part of it, but it really depends on if the fish are pressured or not... I've caught steelhead on 6" pink worms in gin clear water... If I was to pick one jig to use all winter in pretty much most conditions it would be a nightmare

Tony

[Smossy]

Picked up a few Beau Mac Floats, 3/4 I believe... and some Marabou Steelhead Jigs in 1/4oz with a 1/0 Hook size. Is this stuff gonna be good enough? Im really a noob when It comes to floating a jig.
If so what kind of weight do I need to add "if any"?"

Really depends on the river conditions.  If it is low and clear, might drop down to 1/8 oz with a #1 hook.  Small, clear leader.  If any color in the river the 1/4 should work good.  Really strange how fish so big prefer bait so small.  what colors did you get?  the whites and pinks seem good for the winter steel.  the blacks and purples seem to work good for summer runs.

Pink head, with white tails, and Pink head with a pink/black tails, Both of double orange beads on the neck. I picked up some Mikes UV shrimp scent to

[Smossy]

They call steelies the fish of 1000 casts.

That's only what people that suck at steelhead angling, or fly guys say! 

lol Just new to it, Only ever brought home one in my life and It was a late season fatty like 16lbs. Dark with a half rotted head.

[_TONY_]

They call steelies the fish of 1000 casts.

That's only what people that suck at steelhead angling, or fly guys say! 

lol Just new to it, Only ever brought home one in my life and It was a late season fatty like 16lbs. Dark with a half rotted head.

You'll get the hang of it fast enough.... Just takes lots of river hours/miles. Also, hiring a guide helps with the learning curve, as well...

[Smossy]

They call steelies the fish of 1000 casts.

That's only what people that suck at steelhead angling, or fly guys say! 

lol Just new to it, Only ever brought home one in my life and It was a late season fatty like 16lbs. Dark with a half rotted head.

You'll get the hang of it fast enough.... Just takes lots of river hours/miles. Also, hiring a guide helps with the learning curve, as well...

Cant afford a guide right now really. Ive river fished for salmon for many many years now. Steelhead seem to be just alittle more picky
Once I figure out how the setup goes and what weight combos to use, Ill pretty much be ok.

[mallard79]

Add a 1/2 oz weight and you are fishin! Your float should ride virtical in the water, laying over is bad and sinking is worse unless it is caused by a fish. Good luck! 

[_TONY_]

I never really pay too much attention the weight combos.... Mainly use 1/4oz jigs for most conditions... If it's too fast to get your 1/4oz jig down into the zone ...It's not jig water.

[Smossy]

Add a 1/2 oz weight and you are fishin! Your float should ride virtical in the water, laying over is bad and sinking is worse unless it is caused by a fish. Good luck! 

Cool. Thanks.

I never really pay too much attention the weight combos.... Mainly use 1/4oz jigs for most conditions... If it's too fast to get your 1/4oz jig to get down into the zone ...It's not jig water.

With that being said, What is the process? Cast upstream slightly? Do you jig it at all or just let it ride the current? Do scents help?

[Smossy]

Recommended Rigging:

3/8 oz Float = 1/4 oz inline weight and 1/8 oz Jig
1/2 oz Float = 1/4 oz inline weight and 1/4 oz Jig



Found these online, Sound about right?

[_TONY_]

They call steelies the fish of 1000 casts.

That's only what people that suck at steelhead angling, or fly guys say! 

lol Just new to it, Only ever brought home one in my life and It was a late season fatty like 16lbs. Dark with a half rotted head.

You'll get the hang of it fast enough.... Just takes lots of river hours/miles. Also, hiring a guide helps with the learning curve, as well...

Cant afford a guide right now really. Ive river fished for salmon for many many years now. Steelhead seem to be just alittle more picky

I find it to be the other way around... Usually, if there's a steelhead in the lye chances are it will bite.... Where as salmon is all about fishing over numbers to get the biters... Well there's the flossers, where every fish is a "biter"

[_TONY_]

Add a 1/2 oz weight and you are fishin! Your float should ride virtical in the water, laying over is bad and sinking is worse unless it is caused by a fish. Good luck! 

Cool. Thanks.

I never really pay too much attention the weight combos.... Mainly use 1/4oz jigs for most conditions... If it's too fast to get your 1/4oz jig to get down into the zone ...It's not jig water.

With that being said, What is the process? Cast upstream slightly? Do you jig it at all or just let it ride the current? Do scents help?

Cast a bit up stream- reel and mend your line WITHOUT affecting your float. Try and keep your float straight up and down... Also keep you line off the water as much as possible do you don't get a belly and pull your offering out of the slot ( braid helps with this) It's a good thing if your jigs ticks the bottom lightly every 10 feet or so. This lets you know that you're in the zone. As soon as you float and offering is down stream of you and there's more "zone" to go, pay out line and keep the drift going... Or reel 'em up and repeat.

[Cap.Silver]

Smossy ,you got it ..... the combined weight of jig and weight shouldn't exceed the float rating .Also some pople like to use the Nightmare series .... I'd go with Beau Mac SMJ2  http://www.hawkenfishing.com/product-p/smj2.htm and SMJ 34  http://www.hawkenfishing.com/product-p/smj34.htm ,GO get them 

[Smossy]

Add a 1/2 oz weight and you are fishin! Your float should ride virtical in the water, laying over is bad and sinking is worse unless it is caused by a fish. Good luck! 

Cool. Thanks.

I never really pay too much attention the weight combos.... Mainly use 1/4oz jigs for most conditions... If it's too fast to get your 1/4oz jig to get down into the zone ...It's not jig water.

With that being said, What is the process? Cast upstream slightly? Do you jig it at all or just let it ride the current? Do scents help?

Cast a bit up stream- reel and mend your line WITHOUT affecting your float. Try and keep your float straight up and down... Also keep you line off the water as much as possible do you don't get a belly and pull your offering out of the slot ( braid helps with this) It's a good thing if your jigs ticks the bottom lightly every 10 feet or so. This lets you know that you're in the zone. As soon as you float and offering is down stream of you and there's more "zone" to go, pay out line and keep the drift going... Or reel 'em up and repeat.

Sounds simple enough, What's ideal depth? 6-12" from the bottom?