bank fishing for chinook ?

[blankman]

From all of the posts lately, it looks like springers are the target for the next several months. I need some advice for rigging for springers from the bank. Can I use my standard steelhead gear (drift, spinners, jigs)? I see a lot of people talking about plunking - is this the preferred technique? I like drift or spinner fishing (although I have yet to catch a steelie). I have a few books on drift and spoon fishing for steelhead, but I can't find one for Chinook. What is my best set up? Should I follow my standard steelhead rules for reading the water, etc.?

I also have a rod question. My steelhead rod is probably too light for Chinook (12lb line max). Anyone have a good recommendation for a decent (but not too spendy) salmon set-up? How heavy do I want to go?

thanks for the help - jeff

[wiser]

Go over to Meldrum Bar and look at what people are using. You should ba able to approach some of them and ask a few questions. Then go over to Fishermans and tell them what you are looking for.
There are areas on the Sandy and Clack where you can also fish hardware, drift or bobber fish. Moslty it is bobber and bait fishing. Check the search feature also.
Good Luck blankman.

[ 02-07-2002, 08:25 AM: Message edited by: Wiser? ]

[will_e_fish]

blankman- in addititon to what Wiser? said you might also use the search feature here on the board. Type "plunking" for a look at the archieved dicussions on plunking. There is some very good information on, "How to's" and "Where's".

[blankman]

Thanks - the search feature is really useful. I printed out a bunch of stuff to read over the weekend.

It appears plunking is the "method of choice". Wiser - you also mentioned bobber and bait methods. What do people use for bait for Chinook? Sandshrimp? Should I put it on a jig or just a hook?

Thanks - jeff

[wiser]

Eggs boy, I say eggs. Good eggs and don't be stingy. Sometimes a Sandshrip on top will help but good eggs are key. If you're not sure about your egg source get some AMERMAN EGGS(click on his banner above).
Good luck

[omnivore]

blankman,
As far as the rod is concerned, a 8'6" to 10' medium heavy action rod with 10-20 or 10-25 lb. line rating would prolly work adequately. I am going with 17 lb. line for drifting and casting hardware and 20 lb. line for plunking.

Salmon tend to be in deeper water than the steelheads, so look for a deep pool to throw your offering.

All this from a person who caught a grand total of one (river) salmon in his life. But it was a 45 pounder!!! :smile: I also have been doing a lot of reading and browsing the Internet to gather information. I feel like I'm going to break loose this spring season, so everybody lookout!

[OregonBankie]

If you don't want to plunk, you can drift fish or bobber fish.

In general, drift fish the heads of holes, right under the fast water and into the pool it feeds. Bobbber fish the same: cast to the head, and drift through the deep slow hole.

I use a the 8.5ft Lamiglas Kenai Special with 20pound line. Their "heavy" is a little too light. Steelhead equipment is too light for salmon, mainly because of the heavier weight and faster water you are fishing.

The major rivers around Portland and SW Washington can be fished effectively this way for spingers.

I plunk the Columbia from shore in April, then drift fish the rivers in May.

[ 02-08-2002, 12:00 AM: Message edited by: OregonBankie ]

[Uncle Bob]

HEY OMNI,
make sure you spend that extra .05 cents on those good hooks. That way when you do break loose, you'll get 'em to the bank

No really, that fish is worth the extra $$

UB

[blankman]

Thanks for the input. I'm gonna buy a set-up this weekend (maybe today).

I've got blue fox spinners for casting and I assume I just drift eggs under a slider bobber for float fishing. For drifting I assume the terminal rigging is the same - slinky at the swivel, about 18" - 24" leader and a corky/yarn. Should I use bigger hooks? I use 1 or 1/0 for steelhead. Any favorite corky or yarn colors?

One more question - do I read the weather the same? I try and look for a dropping river - with a goal of about 13 feet on the Clack and 10 feet on the Sandy. Do I change these tactics for Chinook? Do they prefer a higher water level (deeper)?

I'll also be getting ahold of some of those Amerman eggs - I want to see if they are as good as everyone says.

thanks for all of the advice - wish me luck - jeff

[drifter]

Hey Oregon Bankie: I notice your comment about drift fishing for springers on Clack or Sandy. I have always used bobber and bait in the deep holes with so/so success. I would LOVE to drift fish for springers. Any more tips or thoughts you can share. Feel free to email me or post. Thanks, drifter.

[happybrew]

Steelhead gear is definitely too light for chinook. I hooked my first chinook while fishing for steelhead, with a medium action rod, and 8 pound line on the North Santiam. I got him to the bank in about 20 minutes, then watched him swim off when the line broke as I was trying to unhook him. I had a very tired arm, and no fish for the effort. I also had a chinook break my steelhead rod when I hooked one while fishing for steelhead. Go with a rod that can handle 20 pound line at least. I use 30 pound line, just in case I get a really big one. I've lost 2- 30 pounders that broke 20 pound line. I don't want that to happen again.

happybrew

[omnivore]

Hi Uncle Bob,
Well, my Eagle Claw or Mustad hooks cost about 10 cents each. And the best price I can find for Gamakatsu or Owner hooks are 30 cents or more, so tell me where I can get them for 5 cents more? :whazzup:

[Leatherneck]

If you really want to hammer the springers then use thin twins. Go to meldrum bar and you will run into the guy who makes them. I know his name but im not sure I can print his name on this sight. They really do work. Put a prawn head on yor hook with some cheater bodies and a medium thin twin silver and your in buisness.

[wiser]

Most of the bank fishing water on the Sandy where chinook hold will be fished by bobber and bait fishermen. You can effectively drift some of the water if you can fish from the right spot, Keep your bait in the zone a foot or so off the bottom and drift it though the area the fish lay. It's generally much easier to bobber fish. If you can get slightly above the area they hold in and you can feed line down through the zonw it can be deadly.
Blankman, go to the Sportsman show and get the northwest rod from Fishermans. 15 - 40 lb rating, lifetime warranty, $59.00.
Can't beat it. If you dont get into a springer from the bak by 2nd week of May send me an email or come out to Oxbow on the Sandy. I might be able to help.

[crabbait]

Hey Omni, how many hooks do you go through in a good day? Ten? That would be three dollars for the good hooks.

How much did you give for that rod and reel?

I'll bet lunch cost more than three dollars.

Why would you skimp on the only part of your gear that actually comes in contact with the fish?

Just my .02.

[wiser]

My opinion is that this hook thing is overrated. Learn how to use that $4.99 file. Sharpen those hooks with that $4.99 file. Check often and resharpen with that $4.99 file as often as needed. The VMC hooks I use, hook and catch as many fish as anyone I've ever fished around. Thirty cents a hook is way to much. Learn to use a file and use it. The hook doesn't have to do anything but penetrate..... Five cents or five dollars, if it's sharp it will penetrate..

[ 02-09-2002, 12:37 AM: Message edited by: Wiser? ]

[Uncle Bob]

omni,
You're missing the whole point.

UB

[ 02-09-2002, 04:26 AM: Message edited by: Uncle Bob ]

[fishbait]

"eggs my boy Eggs" just remember these are not fall fish, springers like smaller baits, about 2-3 steelhead baits, quarter size or smaller.

I havent been there in over 15 years, but I used to catch lots of springers at High Rocks on the Clackamass. About 7 years ago, I heard the fish held up for awahile at the top end and I know people were poundin on um for about a week till the water changed. Drift the middle/lower, bobber the top. If I remember right, standing on the ring rock, medium water called for about 2oz, maby 3. Good luck.........

[OregonBankie]

Hey drifter,
Wiser? is right about bobber fishing being the most popular and productive for springers, and having to stand in the right spot to effectively drift fish. To drift fish, think head of the hole, right where the rapid spills into the hole -- from the beginning of the drop off through the deep hole. Keep your lure and/or bait moving very slowly - you are almost plunking. I know a guy who simply dropped a prawn to the bottom at the head of a hole on the Sandy and waited for a bite, and consistenly caught springers. If you want lots of drift fishing action, think Wind River. It's smaller, and the holes and pockets are well defined. I hope this year is as good as last year's, when limits were relatively easy. All you need is corkies. Look up the iFish archives for more info.

[gottawayagain]

I agree with Wiser. Keep'em Sharp. I have noticed though that when I used Gami's, I lost more fish than with VMC's. I tried the gami's when they first came out with the red ones. I lost so many fish, I threw the rest away and went back to VMC's.