View Full Version : How deep are your Kok's?
Akatrout
06-21-2009, 07:13 PM
Got a question for you kok experts out there. Had three or four great outings and boated some nice size kok's in an Idaho reservoir over the last 4 weeks or so. The fish were of decent size - 14"-16" or so and were at about 27' deep on the first trip and were down to 47' by the last trip (temps had warmed in the area). I use downriggers to get our gear to the depth that I think the fish are at. These first few trips I think was pretty fortunate to "guess" the depth they were at and ended up catching fish.
The "guessing" part is the problem. Does anyone know a foolproof method of finding the depth the fish are at without using alot of trial and error? I have a fishfinder but I question its accuracy (shows fish when we are not catching and doesnt show fish when we are) and I typically use it only to see how fast we are trolling and how deep the bottom is.
Also, does anyone know what temp kok's hangout at and if there is equipment out there that you could use from the boat to get temp measurements at different depths?
One final note, just went out again yesterday and caught far fewer and much smaller fish that were much more shallow then they were a couple weeks back. What gives? Thought they were supposed to get bigger and go deeper the later we go into the summer :cool:
I don't know what brand your fish finder is, but Kokes school up. Those schools show well on the FF. First thing first, make sure the "fish I.D." is turned off and just use raw data. After a while the schools will start to be recognizable. Learn to use your electronics and they will serve you well.
Check your PMs...
Check that, you can't recieve PMs. I got some local info for you. Enable your PMs and shoot me one.. :)
Akatrout
06-21-2009, 09:59 PM
I don't know what brand your fish finder is, but Kokes school up. Those schools show well on the FF. First thing first, make sure the "fish I.D." is turned off and just use raw data. After a while the schools will start to be recognizable. Learn to use your electronics and they will serve you well.
Check your PMs...
The fishfinder I have is an older Bottomline 310. I was told by a friend that used to work for Bottomline that it was a great finder back in the day and that there are alot of people that would love to have a 310 even now. I will try using the raw data only and see what that does to improve what I can see. Thanks for the info! BTW my PMs are working now.
ElkTalker
06-21-2009, 10:14 PM
Akatrout,
Drop a thermometer on your downrigger and look for 54 degree water. Fish within 10’ of that temp; high or low. As fool proof as it gets.:twocents:
Good luck, ET
Akatrout
06-21-2009, 10:27 PM
Akatrout,
Drop a thermometer on your downrigger and look for 54 degree water. Fish within 10’ of that temp; high or low. As fool proof as it gets.:twocents:
Good luck, ET
Good info! What kind of thermometer do you use on your downrigger?
ElkTalker
06-22-2009, 08:10 AM
Good info! What kind of thermometer do you use on your downrigger?
I found one at Joe’s years ago that tells you the depth and the temp you drop it. Not sure brand. I googled (thermometer fishing) and found some that would work easily. ET
Don Fischer
06-22-2009, 08:50 AM
I found one at Joe’s years ago that tells you the depth and the temp you drop it. Not sure brand. I googled (thermometer fishing) and found some that would work easily. ET
That sounds like the same one I have. "Vexilar Deptherm". It's encased in a plastic tube with a water release button on the bottom. Must be some kind of pressure valve too.
chartreuse moose
06-22-2009, 10:15 AM
I myself run a Depth Raider off my down Rigger. What the Depth Raider does is give you the temperature down below you at the ball , it also gives you the speed at the ball which is critical to running your lures. Each species of fish have a comfort zone they live in , but will come out to feed and then return to that temp. These temp are the active temp for the following fish
King Salmon ---42-46 degrees
Coho Salmon---45-58 "
Rainbow Trout--42-61 "
Lake Trout
MacKinawa-----42-48 "
Brown Trout ---47-65 "
Sockeye
Kokanee Salmon--45-58 "
This devise helps you save hours of trolling dead water, and makes the difference of being a successful day on the water and an empty fish box.I will run one down rigger 10' above the temp and 1 down rigger 10' below the zone. Then you also must make the lure choice for the day as well .
Have a great day and rip some lips
Akatrout
06-22-2009, 08:10 PM
Found one of the plastic tube types today at Sportsmans and will give it a try next week. Checked out the Depth Raider but oh man its pricey! Much more than the $6 I paid for the Deptherm. Thanks for the info all!
Cap'n Ron
06-22-2009, 08:13 PM
I use the vexilar doohickey myself because. It is about 120 times cheaperr than electronic thermometers.