Post by: johng on July 27, 2010, 10:23:10 PM
Howdy all,
Well I continue my quest for my first adult sized steelhead... This is my second year chasing the silver ghost and am looking for tips/insight from the group.
Basically I have found a nice piece of water and I know there are fish there. Someone told me the way to catch them at this spot is to drift eggs through there. So far I have just learned how to fish with a float and jig in rivers (and not very well since I have only landed one "jack").
My question is how to rig up for this? I have bought a new drift rod and spinning reel but do I need to use the pencil lead weight attached to a snap swivel method on this necessarily? I guess I am wondering can I effectively fish this water with just a leader tied to my mainline and a little bit of weight to get it out there? My concern is if I do the pencil lead weight method I am going to be getting hung up on the bottom all the time...
Thoughts on this? Does it really depend upon the water flow, structure, etc? There sure is a lot to fishing in a river!! I do have a good time out there generally and it is beautiful but I sure would like to catch some.
Thanks for any help you can provide. :)
- John G.
Post by: Tony 270 on July 27, 2010, 10:26:48 PM
Post by: bowtech721 on July 27, 2010, 10:54:34 PM
Post by: ML_Hunter on July 27, 2010, 11:10:38 PM
Baiting up with roe for steelhead (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD8qQfBWSgA&feature=related#)
Good luck!!
Post by: machine on July 27, 2010, 11:22:11 PM
Post by: h2ofowlr on July 28, 2010, 12:09:34 AM
If I am running a bobber. I do similar leader, tied to banana weight, which varies depending on water speed. Then set my bobber stop according to depth. Deeper water I will hook my hook on my reel or hook loop on rod and then run the bobber stop about 6" from the tip of my 9'6" rod. It seems to work well. If you don't have good bait try a jig with the tail end of a bubble gum pink work or a whole artificial pink worm. They both work good. Caught many steelhead using both.
Post by: BigGoonTuna on July 28, 2010, 08:01:29 AM
I hooked a couple by using a chunk of eggs on the hook without any weights.We could see the steelhead and would cast about 20 feet in front of them and could watch them take it.Not sure if this helps I'm just starting to learn myself.that's "free drifting"(not to be confused with the side drifting or boondogging that some guys also call free drifting), just about the simplest form of drift fishing. this method is very popular on the cowlitz for springers and fall coho. the difference between doing it for salmon and fishing this way for steelhead is that you usually use a lot smaller bait for the steelies. the salmon fishermen often use a golfball sized bait and 3/0 hook, and if necessary a split shot or two about 12" above the bait. a long rod helps keep your line angle steep and therefore slows your presentation(the cowlitz locals use rods up to and over 13' at times).
the typical drift setup with pencil lead works better in faster water or with lighter baits(like a sand shrimp tail). i've never been one to use long leaders, they just hang up more and are a lot harder to cast, and the fish don't really give a damn anyway. most of the time mine are 12-24", tied to a snap swivel(no slider).
Post by: Tony 270 on July 28, 2010, 08:14:40 AM
a long rod helps keep your line angle steep and therefore slows your presentation(the cowlitz locals use rods up to and over 13' at times).
Thats the truth. I have a 10'6" ML Lami for steelhead and that thing doesn't look like much compared to some of the 13'+ rods out there.
Post by: tlbradford on July 28, 2010, 08:24:24 AM
Slower water take a look at the slinky's which you can add split shot to, faster water look at the tube and pencil weight. You can even try plunking an egg sac in there, set your rod in a holder, and work on your tan.
Post by: WSU on July 28, 2010, 09:35:32 AM
Post by: cwuwildcat on July 28, 2010, 12:31:29 PM
Post by: WSU on July 28, 2010, 12:32:52 PM
Post by: BigGoonTuna on July 28, 2010, 07:43:28 PM
Post by: kbyers on July 28, 2010, 10:45:12 PM
Maybe it is just me, but I use pencile lead when I am drifting from a boat and slinkys when drifting from the bak. If you have a problem hanging up on bottom with your drift set up you are using too much weight. The nice thing about using pencile lead, one snip with some wire cutters and you instantly have less weight.
Post by: Button Nubbs on July 28, 2010, 10:52:34 PM
Post by: johng on July 29, 2010, 10:02:49 PM
Thanks one and all for all the expert advice. I will take it all to heart.
Cheers,
John G
Post by: Bigshooter on July 29, 2010, 10:45:12 PM