Hunting Washington Forum
Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: jwroberts on August 17, 2016, 09:10:51 AM
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I am hoping to try willipa bay for the first time next week. Curious how many of you use downriggers. I only have one so was planning on using drop sinker on the other pole. Also curious what most people use for bait/tackle. Seems like all the weeds would be rough on herring. Thanks for the help.
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you may benefit from a golf tee up above your swivel to part the weeds.
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http://salmonuniversity.com/regions/washington/westport-to-the-columbia#Willapa Bay
A good place to start is a fish flash/shortbus/whatever similar flasher you want with a herring. Use a cannon ball on a short dropper.
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I wouldn't recommend using a downrigger at all. Use a Columbia River style salmon rigging. On your mainline slide a tee,bead,slider(for dropper weight), another bead then tie on a bead chain(6) with a duo snap. Use an 18-24" dropper for your weight and a heavy 24" leader from your bead chain to your fish flash. From your fish flash you can run a mooching rig of your choice of length with a cutplug herring on it. Leader length usually depends on clarity, the clearer the longer. I like to use a Dicks Surespin helmet for herring as it protects the bait and makes it last longer. As for grass you just have to deal with it. There are some companies that make a plastic sleeve to go over your bead chains which keep them protected from the grass and help ensure everything stays spinning and doesn't foul up or tangle. You should use bead chains in front and behind your fish flash as you will have lots of spinning gear down there and they will keep the tangles out. Use appropriate weight to keep your gear down based on current/tide, anywhere from 8-16oz. I like to fish near the bottom. Let your gear out slowly, too fast and you risk tangles on the way down or when your gear hits the bottom. I haven't been out there yet this year but that is a standard rigging for the bay as well as Buoy 10. Good luck! Have fun!
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Thanks for the suggestions. Looks like I need to pick up some tees
