One lesson or trick learned last kok season

[Fallriverguy]

What is one lesson or trick learned last Kokanee season that you can share. It could be a new scent, a trolling speed, a certain change-up that always seemed to produce, a new technique or a new lure.

My trick involves the Shuttle Hawk. I noticed last season that I had troubles lowering the Hawk at slow trolling speeds. To aid the Hawk's decent down the downrigger cable, I would lift my rod tip up to create more tension on the hawk. With the increase angle the Hawk would dive better. I found that I would get strikes when lowering the Hawk with these pauses. As I played around with it, it was not so much the pauses, but the bounce I put in the line, and hence the lure, has I lifted up on the rod.

Now when I lower the Shuttle Hawk, I will on purpose lift the rod up with force causing a noticeable bounce. Often I will get hit on the top rod doing this, but often the bottom rod will get hit as I lower the Shuttle Hawk.


So let's hear about a trick or lesson you learned last year.

 

[SuperD]

I really liked using the DIY glow box to precharge my glow tackle before getting to the fishing zone.

 

[SilverBullets]

I learned if your not getting hits don't waste anymore time doing the same thing...change tactics!! If vertical jigging while anchored up stops producing start trolling and when that slows down target suspended fish with jigs out in open water. Don't just think the bites off...in most instantces just changing things up will get the action going again.
I've mentioned this before but after last season's success I'll mention it again...black works for kokanee! Alot of my fish last year came on lures I either made or changed useing black for contrast. I know black isn't concidered a color and not many kokanee lures use it but give it a try...you might be surprised!

 

[trollin olin]

I have been thinking about getting one of the Luhr Jensen Accutrol devices, has anybody used one of these or do you think GPS speed is good enough. Just another gizmo and I don't like getting to rocket science about it just curious.

 

[SuperD]

I have been thinking about getting one of the Luhr Jensen Accutrol devices, has anybody used one of these or do you think GPS speed is good enough. Just another gizmo and I don't like getting to rocket science about it just curious.

Since I can convince Kokes to hit on any given day from dead still to 1.8 mph, I don't think it is that critical beyond what the gps says. Pick one and vary up and down until the rods start going off! signfishin

 

[TrophyBoat]

Larger lure is slower catching but typically better quality.

 

[MMDON]

I know black isn't concidered a color and not many kokanee lures use it but give it a try...you might be surprised!

Black is a killer color. FishWithGary has a line of lures, the Darth Raider series. They work great on overcast days!

 

[DLM]

1. Schools produce cookie cutters, the big guys are off by themselves.

2. Speed change is key, faster or slower does not matter. I learned this several times when turning and both the slow and fast rod would hit a the same time.

3. Don't lay a net on an icy bimini top. At least not a net you want to keep.

 

[Mr. D]

Target structure!!! Found this out early last season at a local koke lake (UVR) when reports were non exsistant or complaints of no kokes. I found them on structure and that was early in the year. Trust your electronics. Not all fish holding on the bottom or structure are bass and macks. Surprised me but it payed off, in a big way.


Mark

 

[SuperD]

Bass Pro carries a red Octopus hook with a little longer shank than some brands and it made for nice relief on my finger tips tying double snells.

 

[Kokonuts]

Pink Berkley Maggots! I've used them before but last year I rarely used corn!

Kokonuts

 

[SilverBullets]

Last season I switched to TufLine XP Indicator color metered braid for jigging... It really helped getting back down to suspended fish very fast and accurate...no more guess work!

 

[Mark McWillis]

Pink Berkley Maggots! I've used them before but last year I rarely used corn!

Kokonuts

+2 I never use corn, only Gulp maggots.

 

[Petty4life]

one lesson learned last year was to enjoy every fishing outing i get, time with family and friends is priceless and its always more fun watching someone else reel in the fishworthy12

 

[MMDON]

one lesson learned last year was to enjoy every fishing outing i get, time with family and friends is priceless and its always more fun watching someone else reel in the fishworthy12

I agree! I had a blast last year at the Gorge watching this little lady pull in Big Kokes!
This fish came in one of those "small" winds that come up every day! tooexcited

 

[Jim F]

I feel I've forgot everything I knew about kokes this winter. My worst year on the ice in years. Stuff I done /used for 20 years aint working no more

 

[MMDON]

We're having a banner year for Kokes on the ice in Idaho. Try a Swedish pimple as and attractor with the hook removed. To that attach a 10" leader and a Pink Rat Finke in size 8 and use some shoe peg corn dyed with Kokanee Killer Korn Dye and scented with Smelly Jelly Shrimp Anise Special Mix. It's a deadly combination. 101chromefish101

 

[twisted lines]

I learned when the Sheriff pulls next to you and shuts down; Its a great time to hollar signfishin

 

[eenakoK]

+2 I never use corn, only Gulp maggots.

+3

one lesson learned last year was to enjoy every fishing outing i get, time with family and friends is priceless and its always more fun watching someone else reel in the fishworthy12

Very well said

 

[fishing bear]

After you catch your first fish take a big wipe of Kokanee slime and put it on your dodger. Best scent you can use.