Drano Steelhead bait help

[FISHFINDER]

I fished Drano last year no less than 8 times for steelhead and came away with just one fish. What was I doing wrong when everyone else around me was catching loads of fish? I was using pro-cure prawns under a bobber just off the bottom like everyone else. Is there something I am missing here or am I just a putz. (Don't answer that Rogue)


Thanks,
FF

[dawhunt]

I use to fish up there with Richard Paradinski and we used sand shrimp 90% of the time and we did really well.The rest of the time we used eggs.When we fished out of my boat we would do what he called walking the dog.Cast out and reel back in very very slowly,I mean very very slowly !!! when we used a bobber the bait was about 4-5' under the bobber,of course that depended on where we were fishing too.
Bob images/icons/smile.gif

[SnagMagnet]

Bob, You musta been fishin on the east side of the lake.....watch out for those stumps and what ever snapped my 30 pound braided line was big.....If it was a Steelie it sure had the power to pull the 20' foot boat all the way across the lake into the rocks.... LOL...didn't think Steelhead get that big in Drano.... images/icons/shocked.gif

[TheRogue]

Well, F.F., I took home one less fish than you, so if you're a putz, I can't imagine what that makes me!! images/icons/rolleyes.gif

T.R.

[4Salt]

Sandshrimp always seemed to outfish eggs when I used to fish Drano alot. We used to anchor up on the edge of the channel up near where the hatchery is, and fish at night. The hot ticket was to tie a 1oz. teardrop sinker to the end of the mainline. About 3' up, tie a dropper about 8" to a 1/0 hook snelled with an egg loop. Thread on the sandshrimp, put the tail in the loop, and cast into the clear channel where there wasn't any milfoil, then SLOWLY pull the rig back toward you, pausing for a minute, then countinuing the retrieve. I believe this is what Dawhunt called "walking the dog". Last week of August, first week of Sept. was the best. By the way does anyone know if the milfoil has clogged all of the channels? It definitely makes this technique tough! images/icons/smile.gif

[Hottamale1]

Hello,

I Too remember "Walking the Dog" at night, but, we ALSO used Glow-in-the-dark Corkies, lit-up with a Flash Cube so they can SEE the Little Morsel floating by!

Scott www.hottamaleoutdoorshow.com (http://www.hottamaleoutdoorshow.com) images/icons/grin.gif

[Get Bit]

Scott,
Is Drano still open to night fishing? Have never been up there but I've heard that several guys fish it out their driftboats and pull plugs too. Hope to make it up there someday. How many miles from Portland is it?
Any info is greatly appreciated.

Tight Lines,
Get Bit

[HarpMan]

Get Bit lets go.....

[FISHFINDER]

Thanks for the help. I'll be over there Friday evening to see if any of the bunch of fish going over Bonneville are nosing in there. Stop by and say hi if you see me. Red and black Koffler drift boat.


Yes, Bit, night fishing is allowed and driftboats work fine when the wind isn't howling. Which usually is the case at night. I fish it with my driftboat.


FF

[Get Bit]

Plunker,
Never been there but would like to go with you sometime or point me in the right direction. The night thing really intrigues me. Sounds like it would be a blast! Let me know. Would love to hear some more details about the Alaska trip.

GetBit

[Hottamale1]

Get Bit,

It really is a good time fishing at night. Unfortunately, the wind CAN be pretty severe so the use of 2 anchors is crucial. Secondly, be sure to have a good flashlight that will light up the inside of your boat. Fumbling around with a flashlight between your teeth is NO fun and it's nice to have more visibility at 1:00 AM. The use of those Glo-Sticks taped to the tip of your rod is also nice so you not only FEEL the Bite...You can SEE it!

Let's see here....What Else???? Let's go...10,000 Steelhead over the dam yesterday....Gotta be there !!!

Scott www.hottamaleoutdoorshow.com (http://www.hottamaleoutdoorshow.com)

[TheRogue]

There is nothing like hooking into SOMETHING at 1:00am, with no moon, that splashes and bounces off boats and screams off line, that you CAN'T see!! It's definitely a rush!!

T.R.