Leadcore Rod for Kokanee

[captiva]

I live on Long Island in NY, and I started targeting kokes in Connecticut last year. Kokes inhabit about only about 4 lakes on the east coast, and I'm lucky enough to be located within a two hour drive of two of these lakes. So far, over two years, I've made four trips and I really enjoy it. It is a challenging fishery to learn compared to other salmonoids I target - a great niche fishery. I've had some limited success, catching and landing about a half dozen kokes so far, biggest is 15" so I am a newbie!

In any event, the leadcore rods I have are better suited for brown trout, lake trout, and landlocked Atlantic salmon - far too heavy for kokes, and I'm afraid that the stiffness may result in some hooks tearing out through their soft mouths.

Do you guys have any recommendations for leadcore rods for kokanee? Are there any designed specifically for kokanee, and if so, what is your preference? I think I would probably use the rod for trolling brook trout as well, since they are generally about the same size class (although the kokes blow the brookies away for fight!)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Bduck]

So far I haven't seen any mention of downriggers. I use to use leadcore and a lot stiffer rod but there was a rubber snubber attached aft of the dodger. It acts as a shock absorber when fish on. It worked for both kokanee & trout. I personally like the switch over I have evolved to with the ultra lite rod combos. This is where downriggers come in. These will get you to the depths of the kokanee. I started out with 2 manual Scotty downriggers and used them for years. While they did what they were intended for, once again I stepped up my game with electric dr's. With this equipment comes other equipment such as sonar, gps, trolling motor/s. This doesn't mean its only good for salmanoids but a wide variety of targeted species.

To start with as far as rods go, I suggest you check out a local sporting goods outfit that has lite trolling rods so you can get the feel of this type of action. These rods will feel like a noodle which in turn act like a shock absorber and make that 10" trout feel like a 20"er. These rods will load or arc from usually the rod tip to the handle on a downrigger. I would suggest starting with a fiber glass rod.

Check out http://rockymountaintackle.com/ and their Velocity line of combos and kokanee tackle. RMT guarantees their rods and will replace it
Also, https://www.vancestackle.com/vancestackle.html have a couple of spiral wrap rods also some fine kokanee tackle. I don't remember what their warranty is.
I have been using both RMT & Vance's rods for years now which I have no issues with. Got a new set of Velocity rod combos this year and really enjoying them. Even pulled up a 20lb laker with one recently.

 

[SuperD]

I would still go with an ultra light even for lead core. It will just have a bulkier reel to handle the lead. I would also run a good amount of mono top shot to allow for some line stretch which will help to mitigate tearing hooks out. I would probably go with something between 30' - 50' of top shot. For rods, IMO, the graphite and graphite composites have the soft tip you want and a little backbone to handle the lead core. The all glass rods tend to be a little more noodle like.

 

[Flyguy55]

I use 2 down riggers and a lead core line in the middle . I have a couple of old Fenwick fiberglass steelhead rods with a soft tip . Has worked for me for 20 yrs . You might look for a soft glass rod at garage sales .