new to Kokanee fishing

[Chad]

My brother and I are just getting in to Kokanee fishing. We fish at Lake Berryessa. Does anybody have any advise that may help us catch some fish. We went out last monday and caught 3 kokanee up to 16". we will be out there again this monday

 

[SuperD]

Chad, welcome to the forum. I am very familiar with Berryessa. What are your tactics now and I'll try to help fine tune them a bit if I can.

 

[Chad]

We are trolling with pink hoochies behind sling blade dodgers. I ordered a couple of trolling rods with line counting reels. What type and size line should I put on these reels? I was thinking 8 lb mono

 

[SuperD]

Anything from 8 - 10 lbs mono is just fine. Most of the year up to this point has been either orange or purple with pink mixed in as far as success. The fish are starting to go deeper now that things have warmed up. Think 25' to 35' on the wire unless you hear reports otherwise. Get a radio for your boat too. Tons of members from another board I'm on fish this lake every day. They are always will to share what's working while on the water. Areas, the big island, the ranch house, skiers cove are all great. When you see a crowd, that's likely where the fish are but don't be afraid to fish just off the fleet. Many times the pressure of all those boats shuts the bite down and being just outside of that can be very productive.

 

[SilverBullets]

We are trolling with pink hoochies behind sling blade dodgers. I ordered a couple of trolling rods with line counting reels. What type and size line should I put on these reels? I was thinking 8 lb mono

Welcome aboard Chad! With line counter reels you'll want to go with whatever weight and amount of mono the reel manufacturer specifies for the most accuracy with the counter.

 

[Chad]

We fished near the big island last week. I lost a lot of fish reeling them in,that is why I ordered the new rods. I was using spinning rods with braid and floro. I think that was part of the problem from what I have read.

 

[SuperD]

Go light on the drag to the point you are reeling the fish in but it is pulling line out. Take your time and enjoy all of it.

 

[Chad]

thanks for all the help

 

[SuperD]

Chad, I also happen to know the best guide on the lake if you decide to cut your learning curve way down.

 

[KokChris]

Dont forget to tip your hoochies, smile blades, wedding rings etc with something yummy. Helps keep the bite on a bit longer and the curious ones will hit more than once. Gulp maggots work well around here. Pautzke fire corn is one of my favs here. You can even get fancy with some smelly jelly flavored in Kokanee Feast, or shrimp etc. Good luck down there! Tight lines!

 

[Chad]

We are using shoe peg corn soaked in pro cure on the hooks. What is the guides info?

 

[Old School]

Braid is not for kokes cuz there is no stretch like mono. Seems like you are off to a great start and just need to fine tune as SD stated. This takes time on the water. It's like chess it's fairly easy to learn the games basics, but takes a lifetime to master. I highly recommend booking a trip with T-roys guide service. Troy is a berryessa legend and u will not be disappointed. I have been koke hunting berry for 5 years now and hired Troy 2 years ago. Good luck and see ya out there sometime.

 

[rgarbar]

Chad
Welcome to the forum. My advise is to get out koke fishing before you become hopelessly addicted to catching them like the rest of us!

101welcomw

 

[fishfam]

Hi Chad,
I noticed nobody mentioned using rubber snubbers to keep from pulling the hooks out of the mouths. I was kind of curious why. Of Course I don't use anything but wedding rings and maggots, pink or white. Instead of actually using a snubber I use 1/4" black elastic from the fabric store, it has more give than alot of the snubbers. We don't catch very big ones though.
RB

 

[SilverBullets]

Hi Chad,
I noticed nobody mentioned using rubber snubbers to keep from pulling the hooks out of the mouths. I was kind of curious why. Of Course I don't use anything but wedding rings and maggots, pink or white. Instead of actually using a snubber I use 1/4" black elastic from the fabric store, it has more give than alot of the snubbers. We don't catch very big ones though.
RB

Welcome aboard RB. With the light action kokanee rods available nowdays matched up with mono line and a light drag reel there's no need for snubbers anymore.

 

[fishfam]

Thanks! That may be where I need to put in some time researching a "kokanee rod" ....

 

[SilverBullets]

Thanks! That may be where I need to put in some time researching a "kokanee rod" ....

here ya go...
http://www.kokaneetackle.com/c-273-rods.aspx
http://www.kokaneefishingforum.com/fishing-forums/showthread.php?t=2797