One easy setup that can be used for trolling for deeper-water kokanee without a downrigger involves using a cannonball weight on a sliding sinker sleeve that leads to a swivel (see below), followed by a 18-24 in. leader to a dodger, and another 6 in. of line from the dodger to the terminal gear.
What can I use instead of a downrigger?
The secret to trolling without a downrigger is being able to replicate success. That is why I highly recommend a level-wind reel with a built-in line counter. If you don’t have a line counter for your reel, just find a repeatable method to play out line. Another consideration when choosing a reel is spool size.
How fast do you troll for kokanee?
8 to 1.8 mph
Trolling Speeds & Tactics
Much slower speeds are used when trolling for Kokanee, unlike when fishing for Rainbow Trout where the average speed is over 2mph. Speeds for Kokanee range from . 8 to 1.8 mph. Kokanee tend to follow your gear for miles around the lake until something changes.
How deep do you fish for kokanee?
If the fish are schooling in water no deeper than 50 feet, you’ll want to use ½ ounce jigs, but you likely will want to go heavier if fishing any deeper. Over 100 feet, you also should switch to glow lures.
How do you troll without a trolling motor?
If you don’t have a trolling motor to cruise dock lines and mangroves, you can always troll the edges of channels and flats for trout, ladyfish, jacks, bluefish, and mackerel. And once you find a spot with a lot of fish, you can anchor up or drift.
What is the best speed for trolling?
So, what is the best trolling speed? The best trolling speed depends on several factors including the type of fish, water conditions and lure choice. In general, trolling speeds between 1.5 and 2.5 mph, as measured by GPS, are a good starting place for most species like walleye, trout and salmon.
How far behind the boat should I troll?
Every boat is different and you should make your boat your own study. Proper distance for most boats will be anywhere from 20 feet to 150 feet behind your boat. Whether you have inboard diesel or outboard gas engines, your power dictates the distance you troll your baits and lures.
What line do you troll for kokanee?
Line: Black prefers monofilament, because kokanee are known for having a soft mouth. Maxima Ultragreen in the 10- or 12-pound strength are his staples.
What do I need for Kokanee fishing?
Popular Kokanee baits are Pink Maggots (real or synthetic), dyed-cured shrimp and dyed-cured White Shoepeg Corn. Be sure not to put too much bait on the hook as it will take away from the lure’s action. Once piece of corn or 2 small maggots on each hook is adequate.
What do I need to catch Kokanee?
One must in kokanee fishing is tipping your lure’s hooks with white shoepeg corn, shrimp or maggots. You can add various scents and colors to the corn such as tuna oil, garlic, anise and variety of other scents. Adding pink and orange dye also can help change it up some, too.
What is the best time to fish for kokanee?
Spring
Late Spring. In May and June, after rising shallow-water temperatures have forced kokanee to return to the deeper portions of a lake, you can catch them using gang trolls and dodgers trailing almost any kind of small lure (like spoons, flies, and hoochies). This is the time most anglers experience the greatest success.
How do you slow troll?
Drift socks and trolling bags can also slow your trolling speed. Like parachutes, these devices increase drag, and that’s what reduces speed. Trolling bags offer more robust construction than do drift socks to withstand the additional pressure on the chute and straps from a moving boat, especially in rough seas.
Can you troll with a drift sock?
The preferred way to use your drift sock for trolling is to first find the fish or landmark on the map you want to target. Then continue past the spot heading into the wind. Drop all lures or bait into the water that you want to use. Deploy your drift sock and let it slow the boat down.
Can you troll with a 150hp motor?
Trolling bags work very well! I typically need one for to get to 2.2 mph with my 150 hp. They stabilize the boat in wind and waves very well when trolling. If I need to get to 2.0 mph I will put out a second bag.
How deep is my lure when trolling?
First, a disclaimer: As with everything in fishing this is not an exact science, but a rule of thumb you can used when setting your lines to help make a better judgment as to where those lures are running is the “Rule of Fives.” When trolling at five mph, with 50 pound test line and five ounces of weight, set to 50
Can you use braid for trolling?
Braid is great for trolling but since it has very little stretch we recommend using a wind-on-leader or mono tophsot. We recommend using 30-130Lb braid as backing for trolling reels. Make sure any reel you spool on your trolling reels is spooled on tight!
Should you troll with or against the current?
When in an area with current, troll crosscurrent as opposed to with and/or against the current. Going crosscurrent, you don’t have to worry about how the current is affecting your lure’s or bait’s speed through the water. Plus, fish generally swim into the current.
How do you troll with a spoon?
A spoon should wobble from side-to-side and will produce its best all-around, fish-catching action when trolled at speeds between the slowest that produces a wobble and the fastest darting action that does not cause the lure to revolve or spin. For fast trolling try the Krocodile.
What makes a good trolling lure?
Topwater plugs often produce better results in warmer weather/water while diving lures produce better results in cooler weather/water. Color and action also play a factor in the results you will get when using bass trolling lures. Keep in mind, the bass has some of the best eyesight of any fish.
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