tips for coho's

[sawgunner]

i was just wondering if you can use bobber and jig for coho's? i was reading an article http://www.gamefishin.com/wa/features/jigsforcoho.htm. i dont really want to do it this way.. dont want to get a ticket from the game warden thinking i was snagging when im really not. so just wondering if bobber and jig was effective? thank you

[Beefcake]

My experience fishing jigs for coho is limited (I usually throw spinners or spoons), but I'll tell you what my one experiment was... A few years ago in Alaska, we flew into a small river (by bush plane) that was absolutely stacked with fish. If you could get your lure below the humpies, you could usually find a willing silver. Well, we decided to see what they would bite; we caught them on spinners, spoons, warts, flies, etc., and almost any color worked. However, the only thing in the tackle box that we never caught a silver on was a float / jig setup. This never made sense to me since we used a jig that looked alot like the fly they liked the best (purple egg-sucking bunny leach, so we used a purple / black jig with a pink head). Float and jig is my go-to rig for winter steelhead, so I know I had it rigged right; they just didn't like it. Nada.

My absolute favorite lure for coho in small rivers is discontinued... If anyone has any old Luhr Jensen Krocodile Stubby spoons in chrome / yellow, I'm interested!

[dejawho75]

I caught 4 Coho's last year when fishing with a First Bite Salmon Jig in Tidewaters. And over a dozen Chinook on them since I've used started using them 2 years ago. They are effective when fished correctly. Right place @ The Right time, is my take on Jigs for Salmon.
No shame in fishing with jigs if you can't afford good eggs or out of eggs. I'm almost leaning towards fishing jigs more and more each year. I plan do an experiment this fall Chinook season and fish only jigs if I am out with an egg fisherman. Find out the hook up ratio. Where the majority of the hook ends up(upper lip, side, or deep in it's mouth). I would be interested if the mortality rate is less significant with a jig, than fishing eggs.

Deja

[sawgunner]

hmmm. ok thanks for your inputs.. ill take into consideration.

[First Bite]

saw

That is an excellent article for jigging for coho. When a jig is worked properly as described in the article...they will work very well for coho.

As Vu mentioned above, jigs in tidewater will work for both chinook and coho.

I spent a few days in Tillamook tidewater last week and landed two chrome chinook using my Quad salmon marabou jig. I fished the jigs exactly as you would fish eggs under a float only I was using 40# leader.

Mark

[WSU]

I have only tried it a couple times, but I have caught fish.

[wameppspro]

When I was in Alaska a few years ago and ran a jig test, I found that the silvers responded best to jigs without a bobber. I would just drift them like any other drifted bait. Watch especially when it comes out of the faster water. I've seen ho's come after them like a torpedo!

Oh did I mention.......red/white with a small red plastic worm 1/8 ounce

[sawgunner]

hey firstbite... so if i were to do that method as what the articles says would people or game warden know im using that method or would i be accused of snagging?

[First Bite]

Originally Posted by sawgunner

hey firstbite... so if i were to do that method as what the articles says would people or game warden know im using that method or would i be accused of snagging?

I think a game warden would not accuse you of snagging if you were to use the method described in the article. The main thing is to not be yanking the rod on every bump you feel. As the article stated, coho typically hit the jig as it drops, therefore most takes should be right in the mouth.

[PPO]

Originally Posted by sawgunner

hey firstbite... so if i were to do that method as what the articles says would people or game warden know im using that method or would i be accused of snagging?

You will be accused of snagging by the ignorant until they watch you catch a few. Just be sure not to use a big, violent twitch. Keep your jigs small (1/4oz) and your hooks small (2/0 and smaller). You only want the jig to move an inch or two. It is vey difficult to snag a fish with a jig unless you lay it flat on the bottom and try to hook a "pass over." You will foul hook fewer fish than a bobber & egg fisherman using too few eggs and way less that the modern, yuppie flossers. The gammies know the difference.

[steelymann]

I've landed TONS of coho on a jig, usually with a little scent. Landed one today as a matter of fact. Nice hen. Sometimes I outfish everyone else when I'm there but it may be because I'm doing something different.

[wayout]

I read the article and it sounds like this method might be most effective from a boat - working from shallow water out to deeper water, or maybe even with a straight drop below boat. From the bank you might hang up more on bottom workig from deep to shallow. Any thoughts on this before i start losing jigs?

[stlhdrgrn]

Expiriment with a jig and sliding bobber. If fishing 8 ft. of water set the stop at that depth. lift up different lengths and slowly drop back. The resistence of the bobber in the water will keep it from moving very much.
The result is a jig that is close to the bottom just hopping along. Very the lift for bigger or smaller hops. The bite is evident when the bobber disapears. This solves the problem of hanging up often as long as you adjust for the depth of water your fishing. This dosn't work well with light jigs but with the right line/bobber combo it will work with a 1/4 to 1/2 oz. jig. I just started experimenting with it this year with mixed results. I'll get it fine tuned.
Good luck!

[Wildswede]

One of my fishing buddies has been using Salmon Jigs for the past several years, as we are trying to get away from using eggs, and he has caught Chinook, Coho and Chums. His catch ratio is equal to other guys we've seen using eggs under a bobber. I just purchased some First Bite jigs myself and hope to try them next week.

[JigMast]

yes, jigs work for coho, even better without the float. Cast out and Jig them in an up and down motion until you reach the bank, often times a angry coho will chase and grab right at your feet. 1/4 jigs in hot pink, cerise or any shade of pink will work, no matter what the brand is! Good Luck.

[wayout]

Originally Posted by stlhdrgrn

Expiriment with a jig and sliding bobber. If fishing 8 ft. of water set the stop at that depth. lift up different lengths and slowly drop back. The resistence of the bobber in the water will keep it from moving very much.
The result is a jig that is close to the bottom just hopping along. Very the lift for bigger or smaller hops. The bite is evident when the bobber disapears. This solves the problem of hanging up often as long as you adjust for the depth of water your fishing. This dosn't work well with light jigs but with the right line/bobber combo it will work with a 1/4 to 1/2 oz. jig. I just started experimenting with it this year with mixed results. I'll get it fine tuned.
Good luck!

That's a cool idea. I think I'll try it.