Catch Ratios?

[bighunterfish]

Hi Guys,
I am a new forum member from British Columbia Canada.I started actively fishing for Kokanees last year using down riggers with good success.I have a few questions though ,my percentage of landed fish to hooked fish isnt very good.I am probably only landing 1 out of every 6 fish hooked.I have been using my own homemade wedding bands with size 8 bait holder hooks a flasher and snubber .The fish are averaging about 13 inches and I was wondering if I should move up to a larger hook.Also do most of your kokanees trip the down rigger release clip or do you trip it when you set the hook.Most of my fish do not trip the release so maybe my tension is too tight or I am setting the hook to fast on the initial bite.I appreciate any advise and I will post some pictures of some big Kokanees in June and July.

Thanks Cornel

 

[bob r]

I would suggest a size 4 or 6 for your hooks, some styles folks like on this site are the new sykle (sp?)hooks, weird shape but people are having good luck on hook-ups with them. I use Tru-turn hooks, size 4 or 6 in the panfish gold plated (or red if you can find them!)finish. The longer shanks and fine wire don't seem to wear as big a hole in those soft mouths to throw a hook, some members use two hooks in tandem, some use trebles.The tru-turns are available through Cabela's don't know about availability in B.C., but let me know if they are unavailable, maybe we can work it out to get you some.We use light limber rods and a LONG handled net will help as they throw the hook at boatside quite a bit. As far as releases, it usually has to be a good size Koke to trip most releases we use, although we've had some bigger ones that required a manual release due to light hits.We use braid rather then mono, but that is a personal preference and lots of folks swear by mono for their downrigger action, figuring that the streach of mono is an advantage.Glad you joined this site, GREAT info is shared here without the negativity that abounds on some sites. good luck and tight lines! bob r

 

[DLM]

A wise old sage came out from under a rock one time and told me that if a 6 inch fish could not pull line off your reel......then your drag was to tight.

You may want to check your drag, I found it to be very good advise.

 

[SilverBullets]

Welcome to the forum!
With a good flexable rod there's absolutly no need for snubbers. I've had my best luck landing kokes while running a short set-back. Seems like they have less chance to shake the hook coming straight up as opposed to coming in horizontal from 100' in back of the boat. I like to have the release clip on the snug side and let the fish hook themselfs before reaching for the rod. Like mentioned use a long handled net and don't horse them in. I use size 4 Gamakatsu octopus hooks.

 

[bighunterfish]

Thanks for the great advise guys.I just ordered some red tru turn hooks on Ebay,and I will try my rig with out snubbers.
Thanks again.


101chromefish101

 

[platypus]

Sickle hooks by Matzuo are available at candian tire

 

[Smalma]

Starting from the basics -
Kokanee are very soft mouth and it is very easy to pull the hooks out of the fish.

Do not set the hook on kokanee - on a release quickly reel in any slack and play the fish with a light hand. It has been suggested that regardless of the tackle used play the fish as if you have 4 pound leader than has an overhand knot that will likely break if teh fish pulls too hard.

As stated earlier light soft action rods with a light drag are a must. The idea is to keep and bend in the rod at all times but let the rod/drag absorb the shock of the fish's runs.

I like to use two single hooks tied in tamdem - I tie them facing the same direction others tie them so they face in opposite direction. Don't think it makes any difference. For 13 inch fish my preference would be for double gammi drop shot hooks in #2s or gammi finesse hooks in #4s. Tie the hooks 1/2 to 1 inch apart.

It sometimes helps to slow the boat down a bit while playing a fish and of course a long handle net is an asset.

Instead of a ligth drag I use direct drive level reels but that is just a matter of preference; following the above guidelines I consistently land 90% of the fish hooked. My grandkids (all under 8) using the light drag approach consistently are in that 80 to 90% range once we break them of setting the hook habit and to keep the rod tip up.

Tight lines
Curt

 

[Duroboat Rider]

what rods you using

What rods are you using. If your rods are too stiff this can also cause alot of loss. Lamiglass or Okuma SST Rods kokanee rods are very soft and can help to eliminate alot of that extra resistance and help raise your ratios.101chromefish101

 

[sawtooth]

I always try to tire out the fish away from the boat. The closer they get to the surface the higher the odds are that the fish will come to the surface and jump. The more they jump the higher the odds are that they will shake loose. Once they loose most of their fight, I get them to the surface and in the net as quick as I can.

 

[devil boat]

Bow to the Fish

Years ago when fishing for Tarpon I was taught to "bow" to the Silver King out of respect when he jumped. That meant to lean forward and point your rod tip towards the fish as it broke water. That allowed the fish to jump with less pressure on the hook, and resulted in less fish throwing the hook. I have used that technique for Kokanee also, and seldom lose a fish. Aggressively point your rod towards the Kokanee when it jumps and you will lose less fish.

 

[sawtooth]

You will loose even less fish if you keep them under the water.101ok101