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Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: pilebuck on December 28, 2013, 03:08:54 PM


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Title: Steelhead
Post by: pilebuck on December 28, 2013, 03:08:54 PM
Steelhead caught yeaturday fine hatchery fish biggest one so far this winter  :tup:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on December 28, 2013, 03:11:09 PM
Sweeeeeeeeet.... :tup: I need to blow the dust off my pole ...guess it has been pretty good  :tup:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: huntnphool on December 28, 2013, 03:12:41 PM
 :tup:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Cap.Silver on December 28, 2013, 03:14:51 PM
Looks like plunking fish
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: PolarBear on December 28, 2013, 03:20:40 PM
Nice!!!!   :tup:

Sweeeeeeeeet.... :tup: I need to blow the dust off my pole ...guess it has been pretty good  :tup:
Remember, "poles" are for flying flags and catching pan fish, "rods" are what salmon and steelheaders use.   :chuckle:

I've been down in the barn for half the day tying up leaders and jigs getting ready for steelies.  Looks like i am going to have to pour some more jig heads.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on December 28, 2013, 03:23:04 PM
Nice!!!!   :tup:

Sweeeeeeeeet.... :tup: I need to blow the dust off my pole ...guess it has been pretty good  :tup:
Remember, "poles" are for flying flags and catching pan fish, "rods" are what salmon and steelheaders use.   :chuckle:

I've been down in the barn for half the day tying up leaders and jigs getting ready for steelies.
Huh ... where you going with the jigs and the ROD ?  :dunno: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: PolarBear on December 28, 2013, 03:30:34 PM
Wouldn't you like to know.....   :chuckle:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: pilebuck on December 28, 2013, 05:32:50 PM
Yes plunking sand shrimp and spin and glo lost one early that day
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Gobble Doc on December 28, 2013, 07:17:56 PM
 :tup:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Smossy on December 28, 2013, 07:26:31 PM
Cowlitz B.C?
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: WCTaxidermy on December 28, 2013, 07:49:35 PM
If that was any brighter, you would need sunglasses to look at it.  Nice fish!
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: pilebuck on December 28, 2013, 07:52:28 PM
Yes WC a beautiful fish bright and healthy one of the best looking fish I think its a north wash fish  :tup:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Houndhunter on December 28, 2013, 07:53:33 PM
Nice!!!!   :tup:

Sweeeeeeeeet.... :tup: I need to blow the dust off my pole ...guess it has been pretty good  :tup:
Remember, "poles" are for flying flags and catching pan fish, "rods" are what salmon and steelheaders use.   :chuckle:

I've been down in the barn for half the day tying up leaders and jigs getting ready for steelies.  Looks like i am going to have to pour some more jig heads.

How are you going to catch a feesh without me to row your a$$ around in the drift boat????? :chuckle:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: PolarBear on December 28, 2013, 10:52:02 PM
Dave has been giving me more oar time!  You should come over for Valentine's day for another 11 hour drift on the secret river!  This time we will Go Pro the trip!   :chuckle:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: boneaddict on December 29, 2013, 06:36:25 AM
Nice fish!
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: pilebuck on December 29, 2013, 08:51:09 AM
Thank you very much at the river now we will see if I can get luckey
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on December 29, 2013, 09:03:43 AM
 :tup:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: boneaddict on December 29, 2013, 09:06:43 AM
I have the rod and I have the set up, but I have never fished that way.   Goodluck and enjoy your day.  I hope the fish are thick and the crowds are not. 
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: pilebuck on December 29, 2013, 09:15:55 AM
It is relaxing u can tie leaders watch the eagles and just enjoy the outside.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: wog on December 29, 2013, 09:21:18 AM
Douglas bar??? nice fish :hello:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: WCTaxidermy on December 29, 2013, 09:32:05 AM
Hey Pilebuck, is that a Lamiglas Rod?
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: boneaddict on December 29, 2013, 09:54:14 AM
It is relaxing u can tie leaders watch the eagles and just enjoy the outside.

That's what its all about.   
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: PolarBear on December 29, 2013, 10:01:55 AM
 :yeah:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Smossy on December 29, 2013, 10:58:38 AM
Where are the steelies at right now?
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: snowpack on December 29, 2013, 11:20:38 AM
Where are the steelies at right now?
you can check the wdfw creel reports and get a decent idea on what they are doing.  They seem to be a little late overall, but are just starting to move in after the rain on Thursday.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: pilebuck on December 29, 2013, 12:01:21 PM
 :yeah:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: PolarBear on December 29, 2013, 03:45:21 PM
Where are the steelies at right now?
A few in the Cowlitz right now.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: hollymaster on December 29, 2013, 04:14:28 PM
Where are the steelies at right now?
A few in the Cowlitz right now.

Shhhh...  :yike: that's a secret spot.  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: PolarBear on December 29, 2013, 05:24:09 PM
 :chuckle:
Oops, I meant Lewis River.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on December 29, 2013, 08:44:12 PM
No,no,no THE NOOCH!!!! :bash: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: PolarBear on December 29, 2013, 09:00:08 PM
Not the Nooch, Skookumchuck or the Skokomish!
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Muleyslyr on January 01, 2014, 08:30:28 PM
Pretty slow on the Snohomish today. At least up river it was. Were you one of the plunkers out there today pilebuck?
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: pilebuck on January 01, 2014, 08:33:42 PM
Yes I was big nothing today alot of rods and no takedowns !!
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: 6x6in6 on January 01, 2014, 08:41:14 PM
Not much happening in the Sultan area on the Sky this morning.  One hookup and a net wave for a guides client was about it.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: pilebuck on January 01, 2014, 08:42:43 PM
I hope it picks up soon
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: TheHunt on January 01, 2014, 09:02:36 PM
I had one hookup on the Wynoochee.  Water is very, very low...

My son and I hook up a few red rockets on the Skookemchuck.  No steelhead...

We did better on the Snoqualmie river...  But it is slow all over. 

Cowlitz is pretty slow but my son hooked up near the crack pipe. 

That has been it for us.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: mallard79 on January 01, 2014, 09:03:56 PM
There are fish in the system but you have to scale down your offerings to match the conditions. I had and hr to fish last night and picked one up sidedrifting. Went out this morning and we missed 4 and I lost one in the few hrs we were out. We have scaled our gear down to 6lb leaders and the smallest corkies in lighter colors and a tiny cluster of eggs. I am seeing people throwing monster gobs of eggs...cut those down to dime size or slightly smaller and lighten up your leaders and you will up your odds of hooking fish.  :tup:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: superdown on January 01, 2014, 09:18:03 PM
I just spent three days camped at blue creek on the cowlitz and saw very few fish caught even the guides weren't doing good.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Swannytheswan on January 01, 2014, 10:07:34 PM
Can someone post a pic of how you are rigging for them. i live right next to the snoqualmie but i can't figure out how to catch em. I grew up bass fishing lakes so the rivers are totally foreign to me.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: 6x6in6 on January 01, 2014, 10:12:16 PM
Google "winter steelhead rigs"  :)
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: snowpack on January 01, 2014, 10:19:08 PM
Can someone post a pic of how you are rigging for them. i live right next to the snoqualmie but i can't figure out how to catch em. I grew up bass fishing lakes so the rivers are totally foreign to me.
what kind of river conditions are you fishing?
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Button Nubbs on January 01, 2014, 10:19:39 PM
I just spent three days camped at blue creek on the cowlitz and saw very few fish caught even the guides weren't doing good.

Some guides are flat out pounding them. :dunno:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: mallard79 on January 01, 2014, 10:30:02 PM
http://www.steelheaduniversity.com/education_index.html (http://www.steelheaduniversity.com/education_index.html)

Lots of good info on that website. What you should use depends on a lot of factors. Try a youtube search for reading water to hlp figure out what kind of water you have access to. It may not even be worth fishing the spot by your house.

Good luck.  :tup:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: huntnphool on January 01, 2014, 11:02:50 PM
A buddy of mine got a 40.5" fish today. :tup:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: superdown on January 02, 2014, 09:14:38 AM
I just spent three days camped at blue creek on the cowlitz and saw very few fish caught even the guides weren't doing good.

Some guides are flat out pounding them. :dunno:
Your right some guides are doing pretty well but not very many. most of the guides that were doing well were only getting three to maybe five fish between sunrise and 3:30pm We talked to clancy's all three days and they weren't happy. :dunno: My buddy and i were joking and calling it the cowlitz 500 because it sounded like a NASCAR race  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: huntnphool on January 02, 2014, 05:25:45 PM
A buddy of mine got a 40.5" fish today. :tup:
Here is a pic.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: bullchaser on January 02, 2014, 05:33:26 PM
A buddy of mine got a 40.5" fish today. :tup:
Here is a pic.



That's an incredible photo and an incredible hatchery fish must be the Quinalt.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on January 02, 2014, 05:34:02 PM
A buddy of mine got a 40.5" fish today. :tup:
Here is a pic.
Dandy ...hatchery  :tup:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: jackmaster on January 02, 2014, 05:50:28 PM
Do any of you guys fish the white (stuck) river? Like where it dumps into the Puyallup. At one time it was awesome, but that was years ago and I mean years ago. Might not even be legal :dunno:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: pilebuck on January 02, 2014, 05:55:30 PM
Nice fish there I have never fished the rivers on the coast.But would love to my buddy fishes the snook in neha bay slayed them a month ago .
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Smossy on January 02, 2014, 08:13:12 PM
I cant WAIT to get in the water sunday.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Cap.Silver on January 02, 2014, 08:58:19 PM
Can someone post a pic of how you are rigging for them. i live right next to the snoqualmie but i can't figure out how to catch em. I grew up bass fishing lakes so the rivers are totally foreign to me.
Long rods (10'-13') are the best (for ease of mending your line) - I use braid because it floats (you can run little wax on the last 20-30' so it doesn't sink ) . First thing you do is put your bobber stop on your line remove the straw a tighten the stop about 4 ' from the end of your line for now -You'll adjust it to the depth of water later .... then you put on bead ,(in most cases the beads and stops come in the package with the float )then your float  - I use Beau Mac 1/2 oz float http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/Beau-Mac-Float-Drift-Eva/productDetail/Bobbers/prod9999004884/cat101131 (http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/Beau-Mac-Float-Drift-Eva/productDetail/Bobbers/prod9999004884/cat101131) and then I use barrel  swivel with interlocking snap http://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Claw-Bearing-Swivel-Interlock/dp/B000EYXZS6/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1388723917&sr=8-9&keywords=fishing+swivel+snaps (http://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Claw-Bearing-Swivel-Interlock/dp/B000EYXZS6/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1388723917&sr=8-9&keywords=fishing+swivel+snaps) ( don't use swivels without the interlock -they can bend and you loose fish . You attach 3/8oz inline 
http://www.xfactortackle.com/inline_weights.htm (http://www.xfactortackle.com/inline_weights.htm) or similar -some guys use hollow core pencil lead .... and finally you tie your leader to the bottom of the lead .... on the other end you tie your jig ..... most likely 1/8oz ..... Please remember your float is 1/2 oz - it means you should use maximum 3/8oz lead and 1/8oz jig =1/2oz .If you decide to use bigger float you could use heavier lead (sometimes stores are out ) but 1/8oz jig is plenty big and I wouldn't use any bigger ......
Go to Tokul creek and observe the guys for little while to see what they do and you'll get it .... if you need more help pm me ..... I go up there too sometimes
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Swannytheswan on January 03, 2014, 12:58:18 AM
Can someone post a pic of how you are rigging for them. i live right next to the snoqualmie but i can't figure out how to catch em. I grew up bass fishing lakes so the rivers are totally foreign to me.
Long rods (10'-13') are the best (for ease of mending your line) - I use braid because it floats (you can run little wax on the last 20-30' so it doesn't sink ) . First thing you do is put your bobber stop on your line remove the straw a tighten the stop about 4 ' from the end of your line for now -You'll adjust it to the depth of water later .... then you put on bead ,(in most cases the beads and stops come in the package with the float )then your float  - I use Beau Mac 1/2 oz float http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/Beau-Mac-Float-Drift-Eva/productDetail/Bobbers/prod9999004884/cat101131 (http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/Beau-Mac-Float-Drift-Eva/productDetail/Bobbers/prod9999004884/cat101131) and then I use barrel  swivel with interlocking snap http://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Claw-Bearing-Swivel-Interlock/dp/B000EYXZS6/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1388723917&sr=8-9&keywords=fishing+swivel+snaps (http://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Claw-Bearing-Swivel-Interlock/dp/B000EYXZS6/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1388723917&sr=8-9&keywords=fishing+swivel+snaps) ( don't use swivels without the interlock -they can bend and you loose fish . You attach 3/8oz inline 
http://www.xfactortackle.com/inline_weights.htm (http://www.xfactortackle.com/inline_weights.htm) or similar -some guys use hollow core pencil lead .... and finally you tie your leader to the bottom of the lead .... on the other end you tie your jig ..... most likely 1/8oz ..... Please remember your float is 1/2 oz - it means you should use maximum 3/8oz lead and 1/8oz jig =1/2oz .If you decide to use bigger float you could use heavier lead (sometimes stores are out ) but 1/8oz jig is plenty big and I wouldn't use any bigger ......
Go to Tokul creek and observe the guys for little while to see what they do and you'll get it .... if you need more help pm me ..... I go up there too sometimes

thank you I will give it go this weekend (unless I go to E WA after ducks) and see if I can learn something
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Smossy on January 03, 2014, 12:28:31 PM
They call steelies the fish of 1000 casts.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: kentrek on January 03, 2014, 12:35:37 PM
They call steelies the fish of 1000 casts.

You should try plunking  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: snowpack on January 03, 2014, 12:38:15 PM
They call steelies the fish of 1000 casts.
I think with this drought they are more like 100,000 casts.  There was a little push on the coast right after rains after Christmas; then it slowed way down again.  Few people were catching, but I didn't see anyone slaying them.  Lots more fisherman than I've ever seen.  Maybe new rains will kick it off.  I went over to the hatchery traps and didn't see anything in there either.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on January 03, 2014, 12:42:42 PM
They call steelies the fish of 1000 casts.

You should try plunking  :chuckle:



That's funny! :chuckle:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on January 03, 2014, 01:06:41 PM
I hit the Skagit on New Years day.  Saw one fish. I threw everything I had in the box at'm.  Water clarity was pretty good but I was running 30" 8pound leader on 10pound main line. New rod and reel didn't do the trick for me. Looks like I need some smaller jigs too. Still, I threw every size of everything I had and only had one strike, and that could have been a Dolly! I heard of one bright chrome taken out of the Nooksack at Nugents corner last weekend.  Pretty slow up north. Now with this rain, the Mudsack is running up.  Maybe this rain will bring a few fish into all of the rivers though.
-Steve
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: WCTaxidermy on January 03, 2014, 08:00:24 PM
A buddy of mine got a 40.5" fish today. :tup:
Here is a pic.

That is a Toad.  Nice fish!
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Smossy on January 03, 2014, 09:18:14 PM
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"?"
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: snowpack on January 03, 2014, 09:27:01 PM
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.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: _TONY_ on January 03, 2014, 09:28:26 PM
They call steelies the fish of 1000 casts.

That's only what people that suck at steelhead angling, or fly guys say!  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: _TONY_ on January 03, 2014, 09:32:56 PM
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
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Smossy on January 03, 2014, 09:33:42 PM
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 :dunno:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Smossy on January 03, 2014, 09:35:05 PM
They call steelies the fish of 1000 casts.

That's only what people that suck at steelhead angling, or fly guys say!  :chuckle:
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.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: _TONY_ on January 03, 2014, 09:38:18 PM
They call steelies the fish of 1000 casts.

That's only what people that suck at steelhead angling, or fly guys say!  :chuckle:
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...
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Smossy on January 03, 2014, 09:41:10 PM
They call steelies the fish of 1000 casts.

That's only what people that suck at steelhead angling, or fly guys say!  :chuckle:
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 :chuckle:
Once I figure out how the setup goes and what weight combos to use, Ill pretty much be ok.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: mallard79 on January 03, 2014, 09:44:06 PM
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!  :tup:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: _TONY_ on January 03, 2014, 09:45:22 PM
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.




Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Smossy on January 03, 2014, 09:47:01 PM
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!  :tup:
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?
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Smossy on January 03, 2014, 09:49:18 PM
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?
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: _TONY_ on January 03, 2014, 09:50:32 PM
They call steelies the fish of 1000 casts.

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

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"
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: _TONY_ on January 03, 2014, 09:56:20 PM
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!  :tup:
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.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Cap.Silver on January 03, 2014, 10:02:37 PM
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 (http://www.hawkenfishing.com/product-p/smj2.htm) and SMJ 34  http://www.hawkenfishing.com/product-p/smj34.htm (http://www.hawkenfishing.com/product-p/smj34.htm) ,GO get them  :tup:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Smossy on January 03, 2014, 10:04:19 PM
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!  :tup:
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?
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Smossy on January 03, 2014, 10:06:04 PM
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 (http://www.hawkenfishing.com/product-p/smj2.htm) and SMJ 34  http://www.hawkenfishing.com/product-p/smj34.htm (http://www.hawkenfishing.com/product-p/smj34.htm) ,GO get them  :tup:
Those are basically what colors Im running on jigs, Heading out sunday somewhere (haven't decided which river yet) thats why Im littering the place with questions. Want to atleast look like I know what I'm doing :chuckle:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: _TONY_ on January 03, 2014, 10:09:29 PM
6"-12" is great... But really I'd keep it around 6"...
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Smossy on January 03, 2014, 10:12:53 PM
6"-12" is great... But really I'd keep it around 6"...
Got it.
Cast slightly up, Let drift, Find bottom, Raise 6 inches up, Continue to float, Find fish, Wait for bite or no bite.
Lather rinse repeat.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: huntnphool on January 03, 2014, 10:14:20 PM
6"-12" is great... But really I'd keep it around 6"...
Got it.
Cast slightly up, Let drift, Find bottom, Raise 6 inches up, Continue to float, Find fish, Wait for bite or no bite.
Lather rinse repeat.
Dont forget to keep the line out of the water so it doesn't get dragged.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Smossy on January 03, 2014, 10:15:08 PM
6"-12" is great... But really I'd keep it around 6"...
Got it.
Cast slightly up, Let drift, Find bottom, Raise 6 inches up, Continue to float, Find fish, Wait for bite or no bite.
Lather rinse repeat.
Dont forget to keep the line out of the water so it doesn't get dragged.
Oh yeah, and length between jig and swivel? 18" or so?
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: _TONY_ on January 03, 2014, 10:16:10 PM
As soon as you find bottom reel up and adjust whatever your using as a stop (fixed or sliding)

Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Cap.Silver on January 03, 2014, 10:16:47 PM
I'd go with you Smossy  but you're little too far away for me , tomorrow I'm going for Chinook in the morning .Wishing you good luck :tup:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: huntnphool on January 03, 2014, 10:17:14 PM
6"-12" is great... But really I'd keep it around 6"...
Got it.
Cast slightly up, Let drift, Find bottom, Raise 6 inches up, Continue to float, Find fish, Wait for bite or no bite.
Lather rinse repeat.
Dont forget to keep the line out of the water so it doesn't get dragged.
Oh yeah, and length between jig and swivel? 18" or so?
The line between your bobber and rod tip
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: _TONY_ on January 03, 2014, 10:19:44 PM
6"-12" is great... But really I'd keep it around 6"...
Got it.
Cast slightly up, Let drift, Find bottom, Raise 6 inches up, Continue to float, Find fish, Wait for bite or no bite.
Lather rinse repeat.
Dont forget to keep the line out of the water so it doesn't get dragged.
Oh yeah, and length between jig and swivel? 18" or so?

It really depends on the minimum depth you'll be fishing but 18-24" inches should be fine.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Button Nubbs on January 03, 2014, 10:31:14 PM
Keep scents off anything that breathes (marabou, rabbit, ext)

Next time I'm really dying to go for a boat ride ill keep you in mind. On the water experience with someone who has a grasp of steelhead fishing is worth more than its weight in gold.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: PolarBear on January 03, 2014, 10:34:21 PM
I use Pro Cure's water soluble scents.  They tend not to mess up marabou.  I also blend my own scents.   Shrimp and anise combos work really well for hatchery brats.
I have to tie some more up but I also use jigs with an 18-20" trailer on it with a single #4 hook and 2 of my artificial salmon eggs about 2" above the trailing hook.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: snowpack on January 03, 2014, 10:37:22 PM
you can take a little piece of shrimp (sand or grocery store) and put on the jig for scent.  Using the tail of a sand shrimp can be effective.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: splitshot on January 03, 2014, 10:37:46 PM
any fly fisherman on here.  now that is a thrill to hook a steel on a fly.  will hit the ronde in feb and march.   mike w
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: _TONY_ on January 03, 2014, 10:43:34 PM
any fly fisherman on here.  now that is a thrill to hook a steel on a fly.  will hit the ronde in feb and march.   mike w

I only really fish flies when I'm fishing skeena tribs... And yes it's awesome when they hit the reel before you can even blink!  :tup:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Smossy on January 03, 2014, 10:55:26 PM
Thanks for the info guys. Ill let you know how sunday pans out.
I'd go with you Smossy  but you're little too far away for me , tomorrow I'm going for Chinook in the morning .Wishing you good luck :tup:
Not a big deal Cap. It was nice to meet you on the puyallup as it is :tup:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: huntnphool on January 03, 2014, 10:56:55 PM
Next time I'm really dying to go for a boat ride ill keep you in mind. On the water experience with someone who has a grasp of steelhead fishing is worth more than its weight in gold.
Very nice Nubbs, that would be worth a year of reading books. :tup:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Smossy on January 03, 2014, 11:06:49 PM
Keep scents off anything that breathes (marabou, rabbit, ext)

Next time I'm really dying to go for a boat ride ill keep you in mind. On the water experience with someone who has a grasp of steelhead fishing is worth more than its weight in gold.
So no scents then :bash: Wasted 6 bucks.

Been lookin forward to that boat ride for awhile now :chuckle:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: TheHunt on January 04, 2014, 09:57:17 AM
If you have scent in a gel.  ONLY GEL...

You can put a very small dab on the jig head.  Not on anything else.  JUST the jig head. 

fish can smell 1 part in 6 million.  Well, that is what I have read in a few books so it makes sense to me that putting a little dab on the jig head will provide scent. 
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: PolarBear on January 04, 2014, 10:09:01 AM
If you are worried about scent messing up your jig and don't want to use water soluable, try taking some smelly jelly on your fingers and coating your line from the jig up to your swivel.  I did that when I was fly fishing to keep the flies from becoming gunked up and it worked fine.   :twocents:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: snowpack on January 04, 2014, 10:23:47 AM
yeah polar, when I've gone out to troll some of the guys wear gloves setting up the bait.  Then as they pay out line, they sandwhich the line between herring or tuna to get bait scent and no human scent on the line.  I thought overkill at first, but they caught a lot more than I did. 
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: pilebuck on January 04, 2014, 10:39:40 AM
I took up plunking some years ago I love it.I have learned a lot of stuff from the older guys in their 70s a lot of tricks and a lot of stuff only expereance can provide.Catching a steelhead is a art by anyone who gets them and on a consistent basis there are times when there is nothing but just like hunting if you don't spend the time and learn then you don't get results.Get hooked on fishing  :tup:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: PolarBear on January 04, 2014, 10:50:07 AM
yeah polar, when I've gone out to troll some of the guys wear gloves setting up the bait.  Then as they pay out line, they sandwhich the line between herring or tuna to get bait scent and no human scent on the line.  I thought overkill at first, but they caught a lot more than I did.
When I spool line on my reels I wash my hands in lemon joy and squirt a tiny bit of pure anise on my hands so there is a little bit of scent on my line and to eliminate or cover up my own.  It may sound anal but it works for me.  By the way, if you can still find it, the original Fish Formula is still an awesome scent for steelhead.  It is anise based, is a liquid and stay on lures for a very long time.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Bullkllr on January 04, 2014, 12:13:27 PM
If you are worried about scent messing up your jig and don't want to use water soluable, try taking some smelly jelly on your fingers and coating your line from the jig up to your swivel.  I did that when I was fly fishing to keep the flies from becoming gunked up and it worked fine.   :twocents:
If you have scent in a gel.  ONLY GEL...

You can put a very small dab on the jig head.  Not on anything else.  JUST the jig head. 

fish can smell 1 part in 6 million.  Well, that is what I have read in a few books so it makes sense to me that putting a little dab on the jig head will provide scent.

True Dat!

-or- just use jigs that don't have marabou or fur- yarn-tails soak up and hold scent very nicely. And they can actually catch fish ;)
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: YellowDog on January 04, 2014, 02:44:47 PM
any fly fisherman on here.  now that is a thrill to hook a steel on a fly.  will hit the ronde in feb and march.   mike w
My brother and I are brand new to fly fishing and he is obsessed with learning to fish for steelies. He's in college so doesn't have funds to hire a guide to cut down the learning curve so we will just wing it I guess.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Button Nubbs on January 04, 2014, 04:31:10 PM
IMO when it comes to fishing for salmon scents can turn a slow day into an unreal day or at least turn a slow bite into a few fish in the box. I can't remember very many times that this was the case for steelhead. For the most part I believe that salmon key in on scents much more than steelhead which seem to be more "visual" biters. During salmon season you'll find a ton of different scents in my bag but when steelhead rolls around you'll only find one or two and they don't get used much. :twocents:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: MatthewHunter98 on January 04, 2014, 05:23:40 PM
thats a awesome fish! :tup: can't wait to go!
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: huntnphool on January 04, 2014, 05:53:11 PM
How did you do today Smossy?
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: PolarBear on January 04, 2014, 06:02:21 PM
All this steelhead talk is killing me!!!!  I tied over 100 leaders, made a couple hundred yarnies, poured a few dozen jig heads, powder coated them and am going to tie them up after dinner.  I'm chomping' at the bit for a couple of "local" rivers to turn on.   :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Smossy on January 04, 2014, 06:13:06 PM
How did you do today Smossy?

Going tomorrow :) Think Im gonna take the wifey to.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Button Nubbs on January 05, 2014, 06:38:40 PM
How did you do today Smossy?

Going tomorrow :) Think Im gonna take the wifey to.
Well?
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: TheHunt on January 05, 2014, 06:42:53 PM
He is pretty quiet...   Not sure how to read what happened?
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: Smossy on January 05, 2014, 07:21:06 PM
How did you do today Smossy?

Going tomorrow :) Think Im gonna take the wifey to.
Well?
Wound up not even going. Things just didnt fall into play. One thing after another.
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: huntnphool on January 05, 2014, 07:47:29 PM
Bummer Smossy, but weekdays are better anyway, try to get out there during the week. :tup:
Title: Re: Steelhead
Post by: snowpack on January 05, 2014, 07:57:59 PM
Bummer Smossy, but weekdays are better anyway, try to get out there during the week. :tup:
kind of depends on the river.  some of them have 4-5 nets strung across the river Mon-Thurs. 
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