Spring vs. Fall Chinook - Kwikfish or Alvins?

[ABL]

I haven't done much river fishing for Fall Chinook, but am wondering why people use different lures than they do for Spring Chinook. Kwik-Fish with a sardine wrap seems to be the go-to lure for Spring Chinook and I have had decent luck with this setup. However, Alvins appear to be the preferred setup the fall fish. Why the difference?

Thanks.

[hookem]

Good question. I've wondered about that myself. The best guess I have is water temp. In the spring the water is cooler and thats better for the kwikies. Amyone else have any info on this?

[FishinMission]

I dunno...seems like the fish start hitting "steel" after the water temp climbs above 50 degrees.

Or.....

Maybe if everybody fished with Kwikies in August and September...everybody would be catching fish on Kwikies in August and September. If ya aint using it..ya aint gonna catch fish on it.

Mark

[Digifish]

An excellent question, which I’ve wondered about my self.

I don't really like being die hard skeptic and probably don’t have the credentials to be on this subject since I been CR salmon fishing for only a few years. But, I tend to think it is less a fish preference and more a "tradition". And perhaps, a bit commercially driven as well.

I would sure like to know more about the why's and why nots but it may be very difficult to gather data. As we all know, in tracking fishing techniques, we have to consider the source! :grin:

[steelheadslayer]

I believe it's all about water temp. I fish below the mouth of the Cowlitz at this time of year due to the Cowlitz water being about 10 degrees cooler than the Columbia on average. The fish seem to run deeper and the alvins work better at that depth, at least for me they do. I have had tremendous success with wrapped kwikies at the mouth of the Cowlitz, but the weather was cooler earlier in the year. I think a guy would do well with them in the shallower water of those trib streams with a cooler flow. I wouldn't want to start casting Brads wigglers in any tribs when the silvers show up. graemlins/idea.gif

[5-Cents]

For what it is worth...

I think Alvins throw off a bigger, broader flash in deeper water that we fish for fall fish. This is one reason that blues and greens also work so well in the fall, I think these colors are some of the last visible on the color spectrum at low light, like in deeper water. I think Kwikfish would work but they dont throw off the same flash in deeper water. I usually fish Kwikfish in water that is less than 40ft, most of my fall fishing is done in water that is 50ft+

Bottom line probably is that you can put anything in front of a biter and it is going to bite but if you want the best chance at consistently catching fish you have to stick with what works best at each depth.

[Digifish]

thanks 5 cents ---thats bout the best reason I've heard.

At any rate I'm using wobblers this fall and I'm 0-fer-4. :shocked:

[5-Cents]

digifish,

Are you talking 0-4 as in no fish for 4 trips or 0-4 as 4 bites and no fish :shrug:

[ 09-08-2003, 06:43 PM: Message edited by: 5-Cents ]

[Beefcake]

Last year was my first try at this type of fishing, and I had the same question. I fished the end of August and beginning of September with wrapped K-fish. I had some success, but I noticed that the other boats were outdoing me with their Alvins, so I switched. Then, about mid October, I noticed that on two trips in a row, all of the boats in view got skunked on Alvins, but a couple of nice fish were caught on K-fish again.

I guess the answer is "I dunno", but don't be afraid to experiment if what you're using isn't working.

[wootersen]

It doesn't matter anyway...NOBODY HAS ANY ALVINS LEFT !!!!!...I just got back from Ollie Damons, SW, and Joe's and there NONE LEFT !!! I'll be fishing with used hubcaps that i find on the side of I-5. I'll tape strips of duct tape to the sides for a flasher effect and use elmers glue and glitter to shine them up. :grin: It'll work...right ? :grin:

[ABL]

Thanks for the great responses guys.

[FastAction]

On a second note.. Many techniques are used to get springers.. trolling herring, prawns, eggs, kwiks, etc.. because they are semi-feeding. Unlike fall chinook who had there last meal around buoy 10. People use Alvins all the time for spring chinook. Especially plunkers. Water temp is a Big factor though..

[24 on/ 48 off]

Right at the tide change, when wobblers aren't really wobblin', go ahead and put on a K-15.

It's always nice to get the first fish of the hogline. :smile:

--spud-- :smile:

[steelhead22]

Here's what I wanna know, why does a bent piece of metal cost $9?!! I bought my first 3 Alvin's the other day and almost puked, $26.97!!!

[Wreckless]

Steelhead22,

It is amazing that a Kwikfish is between $3-$4 on sale and a Alvin is $7!!! Not to mention Clancy's.

Having said that, I think I need to get another tackle box.... I don't have a Chrome / green, blue dot, Rainbow, glow, firetiger, flecto flash , extended hook, untuned Simon lure yet :grin: . I'd better run to the store!!!!!