Post by: Rob on March 04, 2025, 04:50:30 PM
I have a couple downriggers and I have picked up some kokanee rods and reels so I should be good on that end.
I have spent the winter buying a selection of small dodgers and cowbell rigs in a variety of colors. I also picked up some blade flashers (sling blades).
I was told to cure and scent shoepeg corn. Anise and bloody tuna scents were recomended to me.
I feel weak on lures. I have a small selection of trolling spoons, hoochie-like things and wedding ring style spinners
I hear trolling speeds between 0.9 and 1.5 are best. Drop the downriggers to slightly above where I see fish and troll in slow s turns. Best time is early AM and close to sunset as they are light sensitive.
So what am I missing? What are your super producing lure/dodger setups? What scents do you use?
Post by: Oldguy on March 04, 2025, 05:02:53 PM
Found it. Berkley Power Bait Gulp Maggots. (white)
Post by: Rob on March 04, 2025, 05:21:30 PM
Post by: Limhangerslayer on March 04, 2025, 05:51:08 PM
Post by: Oldguy on March 04, 2025, 05:52:35 PM
Post by: Parasite on March 04, 2025, 05:56:16 PM
Post by: 3nails on March 04, 2025, 05:59:03 PM
Post by: Skillet on March 04, 2025, 06:01:40 PM
One more thing. If you aren't getting strikes, try turning (S) . I think they follow and when you change direction they think it is trying to evade them. At least that is what the last kokanee said when I was taking him off the hook.
Old troller trick. It's more about alternatively speeding up and slowing down your gear in the water, which gives it different action. If you're turning to starboard, the starboard gear slows and the port gear speeds up. Pay attention to which side gets hit in a turn. If inside gets hit, they want to see a slower presentation. If the outside, faster. Adjust accordingly, you will catch more fish.
Post by: Skillet on March 04, 2025, 06:06:45 PM
Save yourself a ton of time and watch Tyler Hicks videos on Youtube. Spilt Milt Productions. Quite possibly the best kokanee fisherman in the country.
He's good, but until I see him jigging for them at night I'll refrain from including him in the top tier of koke producers.
Post by: Ghost Hunter on March 04, 2025, 07:41:22 PM
Post by: baldopepper on March 04, 2025, 09:35:37 PM
Msn
Post by: Rob on March 05, 2025, 06:37:20 AM
If your running downriggers drop the ball below the fish and get a bunch of Caribbeaners and run a 18” bumped to a small downrigger clip. 6 oz weight off the Caribbeaner clip and clip on the line. Your are free to drop and pick up at whatever level they are in quick. If you get a bite it drops to the bottom and you put on another one.
That is an interesting idea...
Post by: Rob on March 05, 2025, 06:48:59 AM
I have only fished for Kokes one time and they were pretty thick around 90 feet in the deepest part of the lake. I only had a few spoons with me as I was really targeting Bass (who were not cooperating). So my buddy and I did some jigging and picked up a couple. Now I want to do it right. We were fishing middle of the day - probably 90 degrees out so not really the best time to target them as I understand it.
Since they are plankton eaters, someone told me I should target the downwind mouths of bays as the wind pushes the plankton in there. Made sense to me. But fish are like Elk I guess. The Elk can be found where the Elk are...
The cowbell rigs I picked up are tiny. Blades about the size of a mepps spinner. I tend to agree though - I think a dodger/flasher will be a better choice. The cowbells will come out if nothing else is working.
Anybody try the Macks Lure Flash Lite Trolling flashers?
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/macks-lure-flash-lite-troll-2-blade
I like that they kinda collapse when reeling them in - feels like one would be less likely to lose fish or detect a bite.
When do people start fishing for Kokanee? May/June?
Post by: Rob on March 05, 2025, 06:50:35 AM
Have a boat project going right now I hope to use for kokanee when finished.
I still owe you for the help during Spring Bear a few years back. We should meet up and try a couple lakes sometime - We are only a couple hours apart from your Summer place (which I am still very jealous of!)
Post by: Rob on March 05, 2025, 06:57:35 AM
Something like a Big Al's Flasher?
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/big-als-fish-flash
Post by: Alchase on March 05, 2025, 07:12:16 AM
I use 1 oz banana sinkers, Kokopros Kokanee Flasher, Snubber, 36" leader with swivels on both ends for quick change, to Double Whammy with double red Gamakatsu hooks. Top hook gets White Shoe-peg corn. Trail hook get "red" Power Bait Maggots. I tried white maggots, but the red maggots out fished the white by alot, but that could be local to the West side. Also use wedding rings but change the hooks to a double Gamakatsu hook setup.
I use to record what I was using, conditions, and fish count, etc... and the trail hook caught the fast majority of the fish.
If you are not getting bites, as mentioned earlier, a "S" pattern or figure "8" can entice a bite. You can also shift into neutral momentarily. This lets your rig slow and sink a bit, then shift back into forward will speed it back up.
I always keep one rod rigged with a short Willow blade flasher string instead of the Kokanee Flashers. But the Kokannee Flasher setup, is my go to.
I also keep a bunch of leaders pre-setup with varying colors wrapped around a 6" foam pipe wrap (Pool Noodles are the same thing but much cheaper) for a quick change. Sometimes a color change can make the difference in a bite.
Kokanee have extremely soft mouths. A Snubber will improve your catch rate significantly. Also when reeling in, Kokanee tend to spin when the get to the surface. This can pull the hook out if not careful. Putting your pole tip in the water a few inches can keep them from surface spinning until you can get them in the net.
Good luck, and welcome to the addiction, Kokanee fishing is the crack of fishing!
:hello:
Post by: Bullkllr on March 05, 2025, 08:01:02 AM
Anybody try the Macks Lure Flash Lite Trolling flashers?
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/macks-lure-flash-lite-troll-2-blade
I like that they kinda collapse when reeling them in - feels like one would be less likely to lose fish or detect a bite.
I've had good success with those for rainbows. Usually with a worm or worm/spinner. They do reduce the drag quite a bit compared to many attractors. Never really tried them for kokes though.
Post by: baldopepper on March 05, 2025, 08:16:12 AM
Also good success with them on rainbows but not so much on Kokes. Some success with the two blades but not the four blades. Really like em both for trout, baited wedding ring about 3' behind is a killer for us on Lake Roosevelt.
Anybody try the Macks Lure Flash Lite Trolling flashers?
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/macks-lure-flash-lite-troll-2-blade
I like that they kinda collapse when reeling them in - feels like one would be less likely to lose fish or detect a bite.
I've had good success with those for rainbows. Usually with a worm or worm/spinner. They do reduce the drag quite a bit compared to many attractors. Never really tried them for kokes though.
Post by: Mtnwalker on March 05, 2025, 08:29:11 AM
Post by: Rob on March 05, 2025, 08:47:27 AM
I troll for Kokes from 0.5 - 1 mph, the slower the better. I have never used a down rigger others can tell you more about them.
I use 1 oz banana sinkers, Kokopros Kokanee Flasher, Snubber, 36" leader with swivels on both ends for quick change, to Double Whammy with double red Gamakatsu hooks. Top hook gets White Shoe-peg corn. Trail hook get "red" Power Bait Maggots. I tried white maggots, but the red maggots out fished the white by alot, but that could be local to the West side. Also use wedding rings but change the hooks to a double Gamakatsu hook setup.
I use to record what I was using, conditions, and fish count, etc... and the trail hook caught the fast majority of the fish.
If you are not getting bites, as mentioned earlier, a "S" pattern or figure "8" can entice a bite. You can also shift into neutral momentarily. This lets your rig slow and sink a bit, then shift back into forward will speed it back up.
I always keep one rod rigged with a short Willow blade flasher string instead of the Kokanee Flashers. But the Kokannee Flasher setup, is my go to.
I also keep a bunch of leaders pre-setup with varying colors wrapped around a 6" foam pipe wrap (Pool Noodles are the same thing but much cheaper) for a quick change. Sometimes a color change can make the difference in a bite.
Kokanee have extremely soft mouths. A Snubber will improve your catch rate significantly. Also when reeling in, Kokanee tend to spin when the get to the surface. This can pull the hook out if not careful. Putting your pole tip in the water a few inches can keep them from surface spinning until you can get them in the net.
Good luck, and welcome to the addiction, Kokanee fishing is the crack of fishing!
:hello:
Great info - I have logged this in my notes!
Post by: Rob on March 05, 2025, 08:49:15 AM
Post by: Rob on March 05, 2025, 08:50:47 AM
Surprised nobody has mentioned the Brads kokanee cut plugs. One of our better big fish producers, though we don't seem to get the numbers of smaller fish on em but I'm fine with that.
I will keep an eye open. Any colors you gravitate towards?
Post by: Rob on March 05, 2025, 08:53:10 AM
Post by: Mtnwalker on March 05, 2025, 09:00:51 AM
Surprised nobody has mentioned the Brads kokanee cut plugs. One of our better big fish producers, though we don't seem to get the numbers of smaller fish on em but I'm fine with that.
I will keep an eye open. Any colors you gravitate towards?
We always did well on pink in the morning and purple as the sun got brighter overhead
Post by: nwwanderer on March 05, 2025, 09:28:07 AM
Post by: Caseyd on March 05, 2025, 11:04:08 AM
Post by: Machias on March 05, 2025, 11:54:49 AM
Post by: Rob on March 05, 2025, 12:26:30 PM
Pro troll Kokanee killer
I like the look of those!
Post by: Rob on March 05, 2025, 12:26:56 PM
Youtube there is a guy, "Walking on Water" videos. He does a lot of Kokanee fishing videos in North Idaho.
Will do
Post by: Rob on March 05, 2025, 12:27:19 PM
Post by: Ridgeratt on March 05, 2025, 12:33:11 PM
Post by: Ridgeratt on March 05, 2025, 12:42:02 PM
Post by: Rob on March 05, 2025, 12:58:33 PM
Post by: Mtnwalker on March 05, 2025, 01:05:45 PM
What time of year do folks start fishing for them?
We have done excellent in Feb/March in Chelan, not sure about your neck of the woods
Post by: Ridgeratt on March 05, 2025, 01:06:39 PM
Those were huge Kokanee!
I corrected it for you!! But not anymore.
If you want to learn about kokanee stocking research, why the wdfw continues to stock a huge number of fish in a lake in Spokane county that has no public access. They have stocked close to a 100k every year forever.
Post by: Ghost Hunter on March 05, 2025, 02:32:42 PM
Have a boat project going right now I hope to use for kokanee when finished.
I still owe you for the help during Spring Bear a few years back. We should meet up and try a couple lakes sometime - We are only a couple hours apart from your Summer place (which I am still very jealous of!)
Rob, that would be fun. Got a thinning project to wrap up when I get back, and then I'll be ready to play. Would be fun to try some new water, or any water as far as that goes. :fishin:
Post by: Skillet on March 05, 2025, 03:35:05 PM
Ask Skillet for more tips
The only other tip I have is follow @Ridgeratt around when he loads the shoepeg corn and maggots into his boat.
Post by: Ridgeratt on March 05, 2025, 03:48:29 PM
Ask Skillet for more tips
The only other tip I have is follow @Ridgeratt around when he loads the shoepeg corn and maggots into his boat.
Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn now and then.
Chris I have had people following in my boat wake and not doing any good. You just need to sometimes get creative.
Post by: baldopepper on March 05, 2025, 04:05:04 PM
Post by: Ridgeratt on March 05, 2025, 04:27:44 PM
Once I get to my tackle box I will post up some lures.
Post by: Limhangerslayer on March 05, 2025, 10:16:20 PM
Are the kokes in Chelan any bigger yet? Last I saw they were all pretty small. I'm up north on Lake Roosevelt so we don't find a lot of kokes but when we do they're pretty decent sizeno, they are a lot smaller than last year. Better fish are 12 1/2” and up to 14ish or a little bigger
Post by: Mtnwalker on March 06, 2025, 07:23:43 AM
Are the kokes in Chelan any bigger yet? Last I saw they were all pretty small. I'm up north on Lake Roosevelt so we don't find a lot of kokes but when we do they're pretty decent sizeno, they are a lot smaller than last year. Better fish are 12 1/2” and up to 14ish or a little bigger
Good to know, I haven't made it up the last 2 years but was thinking about dragging the boat and kids up sometime this month. Maybe we'll hold off
Post by: Limhangerslayer on March 06, 2025, 08:08:07 AM
kids won’t care what size they are. It’s an amazing lake to fish. Those fish lightly smoked and canned are amazing.Are the kokes in Chelan any bigger yet? Last I saw they were all pretty small. I'm up north on Lake Roosevelt so we don't find a lot of kokes but when we do they're pretty decent sizeno, they are a lot smaller than last year. Better fish are 12 1/2” and up to 14ish or a little bigger
Good to know, I haven't made it up the last 2 years but was thinking about dragging the boat and kids up sometime this month. Maybe we'll hold off
Post by: Rob on March 06, 2025, 08:16:53 AM
GH: just let me know when you have your thinning work completed and we can make some plans.
Post by: Mtnwalker on March 06, 2025, 08:26:56 AM
kids won’t care what size they are. It’s an amazing lake to fish. Those fish lightly smoked and canned are amazing.Are the kokes in Chelan any bigger yet? Last I saw they were all pretty small. I'm up north on Lake Roosevelt so we don't find a lot of kokes but when we do they're pretty decent sizeno, they are a lot smaller than last year. Better fish are 12 1/2” and up to 14ish or a little bigger
Good to know, I haven't made it up the last 2 years but was thinking about dragging the boat and kids up sometime this month. Maybe we'll hold off
Agreed but Dad cares :chuckle: those 15" average years can spoil a guy
Post by: Machias on March 07, 2025, 10:19:14 AM
https://poulsencascadetackle.com/kokanee-trolling-without-downriggers/?fbclid=IwY2xjawI4F3tleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHZH6nlcEqcT858DSue1kYgC5r3wqvgsuFLiHysB7as1se1RS1QMwauI0Wg_aem_p8RA7wdN4n4drIf95yjy-A
Post by: Rob on March 07, 2025, 01:42:34 PM
for reels they recomended:
The two that we use are the Daiwa Lexa 100 LC and the Okuma Coldwater Low Pro LC.
My buddy (Searun1 on here) recommended those to me and I picked up one of each late last year. Can't wait to get them out.
Post by: Machias on March 07, 2025, 02:16:14 PM
Post by: nwwanderer on March 07, 2025, 02:31:04 PM
Post by: Ridgeratt on March 07, 2025, 05:52:41 PM
I remembered that I had a few of the flies in my truck.
Post by: sled on March 07, 2025, 07:01:12 PM
Post by: Rob on March 07, 2025, 08:28:05 PM
Looking like I'll be retired in the next couple of weeks. We'll have to hit the water together this year. I got a new Lund that needs some fish slim on it. :)
Say the word and I am there!
Post by: Rob on March 07, 2025, 08:37:47 PM
I like downriggers-having done enough salmon trolling I am pretty comfortable operating them.
That said I like the setup mentioned in Fred's link above so I will now be hunting those parts down.
I figure I can run the downriggers and toss a shallow long line directly out the back. Perhaps pickup a rouge trout incidentally.
Will keep an eye out Sled!
Post by: metlhead on March 08, 2025, 05:02:57 AM
Post by: Ridgeratt on March 08, 2025, 05:37:31 AM
Post by: jasnt on March 08, 2025, 06:36:53 AM
I tie most of my own lures.
Post by: Blacklab on March 09, 2025, 02:46:39 PM
Looking like I'll be retired in the next couple of weeks. We'll have to hit the water together this year. I got a new Lund that needs some fish slim on it. :)
Say the word and I am there!
Awesome👍
Post by: Blacklab on March 09, 2025, 02:58:46 PM
The only thing i’ll add is when fighting the kokes. Tip low and when the their fighting on top, stop reeling. When they stop start reeling.
Post by: Rob on March 09, 2025, 04:39:30 PM
Figured that the pictures would speak for themselves. Carry on.
Apologies if my comment seemed rude about the flies. I had just not heard much about flies and was now contemplating flies for kokanee as they were not on my radar.
Post by: Ridgeratt on March 09, 2025, 05:40:36 PM
Figured that the pictures would speak for themselves. Carry on.
Apologies if my comment seemed rude about the flies. I had just not heard much about flies and was now contemplating flies for kokanee as they were not on my radar.
No Harm done. :hello: I can only take you to the lake, I can't make you swim.
Post by: Machias on March 10, 2025, 09:16:56 AM
I have been told Lake Pend Oreille has some decent sized Kokanee.
Just pay attention to the weather on that lake, it is no joke when the wind picks up from the SW.
Post by: Rob on March 10, 2025, 10:14:20 AM
Post by: hookr88 on March 13, 2025, 08:25:30 AM
Post by: Rob on March 13, 2025, 11:11:32 AM
Can't wait to get out.
Just did some maintenance on my trolling motor, ordered some long line spreaders and FishEng lure boards. Plan to tie up some leaders with better hooks over the next few weeks and get the boat de-winterized soon.
Hoping to hit the water in mid-April to start exploring.
Been watching a few Tyler Hicks videos every night too.
Post by: Alchase on March 13, 2025, 11:58:48 AM
I have 3 cans of corn ready for curing and scenting!
Can't wait to get out.
Just did some maintenance on my trolling motor, ordered some long line spreaders and FishEng lure boards. Plan to tie up some leaders with better hooks over the next few weeks and get the boat de-winterized soon.
Hoping to hit the water in mid-April to start exploring.
Been watching a few Tyler Hicks videos every night too.
Getting rid of the meh hooks that come with most lures is one of the most productive ways to improve catching Kokanee.
The Red Kamakatsu hooks are fantastic and extremely sharp. On a double hook rig, keep your eye on the other hook when removing a fish. I hooked into the biggest Kokanee I have ever caught 22" on a Double Whammy with Gamakatsu reds on it. The fish was hooked on the lower hook, but at 22" it was big enough make it difficult to unhook holding the pole in the other hand. The fish gave a big wiggle, and the top Gamakatsu slid right through the top of my Thumbnail and on through my thumb like it was butter. Now I could not put the fish down, or reach my knife. :o
My son was 4 at the time, was starring at my thumb with this hook all the was through it and his face turned white. I calmly asked him if he could grab the pliers and cut the line for me, which he did, without puking! I then took the pliers and cut the barb off, and pulled the hook back out. He says, "that was pretty cool Dad, but I almost hurled"! :chuckle:
There are hundreds of Kokanee Lures out there. Alot of them work perfectly fine. Of course everyone has their go to rig they swear by. If it is shiny and pink it will probably catch Kokanee, LOL
Post by: Rob on March 13, 2025, 02:24:15 PM
In watching the Spilt Milt videos, he did some interesting hook experiments. He rigged one rod with the Red Gamakatsu Ocotopus hooks, and the other with the Red Gamakatsu drop shot/split shot hooks. All other tackle was the same.
He landed 7 fish that morning. He lost probably 6 on the octopus hooks (over 50%) and only one on the split/drop shot hooks. He split/Drop accounted for most of his take for the day.
He attributed the difference between the hooks to the wire gauge being thinner and therefore penetrating better on the split/drop hooks.
These were his top five hooks:
#5 Eagle Claw Lazer Sharp Octopus https://amzn.to/2YC2Bpw
#4 Maruto Sickle Hooks https://bit.ly/3easpyS
#3 Owner Mosquito Hooks https://amzn.to/2NCaZPC
#2 Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gaphttps://amzn.to/3g6oYJG
#1 Gamakatsu Split Shot/Drop Shot https://amzn.to/3g5NpH3
Here is the video - it was quite interesting.
Post by: hookr88 on March 13, 2025, 04:58:56 PM