Trolling on the snohomish

[RAMSFAN]

taking my 4 year old and 7 year old out on the boat this weekend to catch some pinks in the Snohomish. Anybody got any good ideas on a rig I could troll with, my girls aren't quite so good at the cast and retrieve and I don't want to end the weekend in the ER having a hook removed from one of us. Any help would be appreciated, thanks alot.

[D-Rock425]

Maybe some pink spoons 

[jnevs23]

First suggestion, change your name from rams fan to something more seahawk friendly.  I would troll pink dick nites with a quarter ounce or so of weight.  Look for jumping fish, if they aren't jumping they aren't there.  Try to keep your gear close to bottom.  Lots of guys see them jumping and think they are on top of the water but those fish don't stay up there long. If you launch at Lowell you can go up or down river and be in fish.  The incoming tide is generally the best time to fish the lower snoho.

[Camp David]

Dick nites and even small flatfish or other plugs. I would anchor up. Find a place that has a little moving water and you see fish jumping. Anchor above the "hole" and strip enough line out to get under the fish. Make sure you are close to the bottom, but your spoon/plug is still working again make sure you have enough water flow. You can get right next to the bank in your boat along a steep edge.

[Goldeneye]

Trolling for pinks is not normally done in the rivers.  If you really need to troll, I would be in the lower river and troll smaller versions of the flasher and squid used out in the salt.  If you have young kids might I also suggest just anchoring up at the edge of a shelf when the current is running and either plunking a spoon (dick nite or wicked willie) or bait with a spin-glo and shrimp.  Much less opportunity for chaos in the boat if you can concentrate on the kids and rods and ignore controlling the boat too.

[trippledigitss]

You may want to try plunking with a spin N glo and shrimp. I think the problem with trolling is all the change in depth and branches and stuff in the river will make it hard - plus all the boats you'll have to weave thru - not real good. If you are set on trolling I would troll some Dick Nites (50/50, pink, day glo orange, spatterback frog) or a Kingfisher/Coyote Spoon in 3 or 3.5. Can use half chrome/half pink, Funky Chicken - heck I think you could use a chartruese or anything bright. Check Everett Herald sport/fishing section. They have some good articles for humpy setups in there.

[trippledigitss]

Well there you go; There was a half dozen other replies that came in during the time it took me to type mine! (Not only am I a slooow typer, I had 4-5 freaking interuptions! Damn people and their work issues!) 

[h20hunter]

I'd go with the plunking. Rods in holders, kids playing and goofing off, dad working the rods, kids hauling on rods when the time comes.

[trippledigitss]

I'd go with the plunking. Rods in holders, kids playing and goofing off, dad working the rods, kids hauling on rods when the time comes.

Boy aint that the truth!    My boys get to wrestling and horsing around, dont even watch their rods. Meanwhile I'm trying to toss a jig and they are driving me INSANE - boom, fish hits a bait rod and its a-ho's & elbows!! 

[RAMSFAN]

Thanks fella's, great suggestions. I like the idea of anchoring out and not having to drive and watch poles at the same time. I appreciate the help. Looks like I'll be going and loading up on some gear at lunch time. Thanks again.

[twistiron]

i also have a 7 year old daughter and a few years back she wanted nothing to do with fishing (could not cast) i had bought her a decent rod a real combo one day i said what they heck and got her a little barbie rod with a butterfly casting weight(like 15 ar walmart). i let her play with that for a week in the back yard never had an issue again taking her fishing and her casting has gotten really good. might be worth it to pick one up for your girls to practice with at home!

[Button Nubbs]

If you do decide to troll I suggest you have 1 rod rigged with a fire tiger wiggle wart. You never know when mr. Coho will want to play.

[FC]

Ramsfan I wouldn't even try and troll the Snohomish, it has been pretty thick with boats and bank anglers. Anchoring and casting or plunking will be way less drama.

[Goomsba]

Ramsfan I wouldn't even try and troll the Snohomish, it has been pretty thick with boats and bank anglers. Anchoring and casting or plunking will be way less drama.