? For you Springer Ringers/ What size K-fish

[Tacklebuster]

Alright, I'm going through last years springer tackle and seem to be running short on K fish. Before stocking a tackle tray, I'm trying to remember what worked for me last year. I didn't wrap one with Sardines so I mainly used K-13's with some smelly goo on them but found I couldn't tune them because the eyescrew was fixed.

What size do you guys use when using a Sardine wrap? What color combos seem to work the best and what is a good rule of thumb for leader and lead line. I remember doing good one day last year with a 14 inch lead line and a 60 inch leader.

Do you guys think the Sardine wraps really are worth the time or effort? I got a few last year on plain plugs but never really had a stellar day.

Whats your thoughts and experiences

[skybuster]

this is my first post so excuse me if I screw it up. Definitely go with the sardine wrap! It is also very important to marinate the sardines in some secret sauce the night before using them. I prefer K-15's and 16's for salmon. Chinook are not shy and will usually hit the bigger plugs. My best color the last couple of years has been the "funky chicken". I don't know who came up with the name but the plug has chartruese head and tail with a chrome body and blue stripes.

I normally run my lead lines from 18 to 42 inches and my leaders from 40 to 60 inches. These figures are very important as they will change from day to day. It helps to have friends on the water that measure their gear! This way if someone gets into fish they can call you and tell you whats working.

I know that I will have open seats on the boat this spring and hope that some of you will join me!

[Pickles]

Color combo's anything with chartreuse on it! Examples: Glad clown, Grinch, Fickle Pickle, California Watermellon, Micheal Jackson, chrome w/chartruese butt, etc. Size depends on location. St Helens area I like k15's. Above 205, I like K14's and in the fast water below bonneville K13's are the ticket.

[Pickles]

Oh I almost forgot, k14's - k16's all work fine with bait wraps. Size bait wraps accordingly. I have also found that a better way of putting on you wraps is to use ortho-bands instead of stretchy string.

[skybuster]

If you use rubber bands to secure your sardine wrap it is a good idea to keep an old pair of scissors on the boat. Once you have wrapped the sardine on the lure use the scissors to trim off excess bait that may affect the action of the lure. It seems to help.

[CATCH AND EAT]

K-15s for me. 10 to 21 ft of water depending on flow. Clean stretchy threat, not the crap you were using during a sturgeon season. Lemon joy to wash Kwiks and your hands and knife and cutting board and........ wash all the salmon gear you have been using for sturgeon too.

Sardine bait wraps with sardine smelly jelly and slam o'la regular or garlic. Another trick that FM2 taught me was to mix flax seed oil(pure) with pure anise extract. We killed 'em on the trask using this stuff.

Ive been using 20# leader but I am going to step it up to 30 this year "just because I can" as a good friend of mine says. Springers are not leader shy so bigger may be better. I run 30# main line which is plenty strechy for me.

Chris let me know when you want to go and you can shadow or go with me if you wish. It's gonna be a good year dude.

[Steelerdan]

I like k-15's. Different colors for different days seems to make a difference probably due to water color and/or sun or clouds but my favorites are silver and green, silver and red, and silver and blue. 18 to 24 inch lead line and 60 inch leader. I always wrap a sardine on and add my secret formula of scent.

[Silver Hilton]

K14's and 15's for me. I like anything that is silver and chartreuse. Beyond that, I don't think it matters much. What does matter is scent. My catch rate doubled after I started juicing the lures.

I use 40 lb leader, 50 lb braid, just so we can manhandle the fish if needed. I find that a 30 inch lead line works pretty well.

[greenbuttskunk]

K-15's if the current is moderate, K-14's for faster flow. Fickle pickle or chrome and flo. green are the go to colors. Springers here I come!

[No Wishin Just Fishin]

Definely the fickle pickle in a K-15 or the mad clown same size. I have a few with many teeth marks all over them. Also use the rubber bands much easier . Wrapping the string unless you are real good messes up the filet

[Silver Hilton]

Originally posted by No Wishin Just Fishin:
Wrapping the string unless you are real good messes up the filet

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Au contraire, mon frere, the string slices into the fillet, allowing little bits to be flung free into the current like little blue birds of scent happiness, winging their way downstream to beckon Mr. Salmon to come taste your wares.

Seriously, you do need to watch how deep the string cuts into the fillet, but I think the slices help the smells get loose into the water. If the sardine is too mushy, it can kind of get shaken apart. Thats one reason I brine mine. Toughens them up.

[CATCH AND EAT]

funky chicken on semi bright to bright days is my go to lure. At first light on a cloudy day I really like the funky chicken thing. I have a complete arsonal of kwiks but those are my favorits.

Here is something else to try. Last year while on anchor I dropped a cut plug herring behind the boat along with some kwikfish. It got slammed but I missed the fish. It spins just like you are trolling is and of course it has that natural scent fish love to eat. sometimes we get to fancy with kwikfish, spinners, plugs when some old tried and true stuff like herring or a spin-n-glo work just fine. I throw this stuff in mix just to be different than everyone else all the time. You never know.

Last year I sat in the garbage hole for an hour and no one was getting hit. Everyone was using prawns in some shape or form. One guy on the opposite end of the line put on a kwik fish and within one minute he had one on. I switched to a kwikfish and it was a matter of 2 minutes and I had a nice 26#r to the boat. Pays to be different sometimes.

[Silver Hilton]

Originally posted by CATCH AND EAT:
Pays to be different sometimes.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">That's my theory on scent. I don't care what scent I'm using, I want it to be a bit different than the boats around me. I think fish focus on changes in their environment, and change attracts their attention. So, in a sea of sardine and WD-40, some anchovy scent stands out.

Maybe I'm just fooling myself, but I get a few doing this.

[Firedog]

I like K-13's up to K-15's, I bait wrap them all. I like the thread myself, just takes practice and they go real quick. Heres a couple pictures of some of my favorites :smile:




[ 01-27-2004, 09:52 AM: Message edited by: firedog ]

[5-Cents]

Chris,

Always wrap them... sardines are best. The size of Kwikfish you want to use will depend on current speed. The slower the current the larger the Kwikfish. The thumping of the Kwik creates a vibration in the water, it is very important that you are getting the most thump for your bump. Slow moving water calls for K-16's, really fast water like up by Bonneville calls for K-13's. For most of my fishing (around St. Helens) I use K-15's most of the time with the occasional 14 in the middle of the tide and a 16 toward the end of the tide.

Color's are important too, you want solid, flat colors on over cast low ligth days like reds, blacks, solid greens. The solid color will create more of a siloette (sp [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img] ) that the fish will key on on darker days. Bright days you want to use more reflective patterns with chrome, silver and gold on the body and solid colors on the nose or tail. The fish will be attracted by the flash and key on the solid part of the lure.

Use 40-50lb leader (dont even consider anything lighter, these fish are not leader shy at all!), 4-5ft is plenty, a 18"-24" dropper with enough lead to stay on the bottom and you are set. Make sure to keep those drags loose and clickers on. Let the fish take the bait until the rod is burried and the line is coming off. Set the hook then tighten the drag. I have seen many a fish lost because people hit them too soon!

I'll tell you want how about a demo day on my boat buddy! I am planning to start this week so let me know when you have a day off and let's hook up!

[FishinMission]

No scent, No Lemon Joy, no wraps...Why bother?

All that extra work when you really don't need it. But hey...if it helps you think you'll do better...have at it!


I've fished wraps against non-wraps, scents against non scented, Lemon Joy against dirty hands...with no real observable differences.

What's more important than anything is being in the right spot, at the right depth, with the right lure.


And for all you "one or two year" experts...just remember what may have worked for you last year may not work this year depending on water conditions, temp, etc.


What do I know??


Mark

[FishinMission]

Oh yeah...springers love spinners too.

Mark

[Tacklebuster]

Thanks for the informative replies [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Mark,
I sure would like some help on trolling and setting up with some spinners if you would be willing to share. Send me a pm if your feeling gracious [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

[freespool]

Don't be afraid to experiment with different wraps. Anchovie,herring or even prawn will sometimes do the trick. A friend on the south coast swears by tuna wrap.


salmon hugger

[CATCH AND EAT]

Gee sorry Mark, did'nt mean to step on your toes there dude. :tongue: Certainly I am a "one year expert" for trolling as you referred to but you can leave out the "expert" part. Just know what you told me last year worked and there is no reason that it will not work again this year with or without variation right? And yes spinners do work too especially when the water approaches 58 degrees . I've proved that a time or two.

Now as for kwik fish scent and cleanliness, I have definitly improved my experience 100 percent in the last three years. Do or think what ya will but it's worth it to me.

[ 01-27-2004, 02:27 PM: Message edited by: CATCH AND EAT ]

[FishinMission]

Bernie....sometimes the fish are down at about the 6 foot level. Someone above mentioned find them on your fishfinder.

A few years back...I was looking on my fishfinder, but not finding anything. And this was when there should have been fish everywhere. We did the 14 pull thing and couldn't buy a fish. Thinking perhaps the fish might be shallow and scooting out from under the boat (and fishfinder) we fished right on top. We'd drop our herring on the surface behind the boat...hold the rod at the 9 o'clock position, and release the bail. At the same time, we'd raise the rod to the 11 o'clock position while letting line out, and when the rod got to the 11 o'clock we'd stop letting line out. I figured we were fishing about 4-5 feet below the surface.
We got seven that day.

Last year we had a spot we killed fish in that was 5 feet deep.

There's so many variables...water temp...thermoclines, visibility, bait action. You just never know...but...that 14 pull thingie is a good place to start.

Didn't step on my toes Bernie...Feel free to always mention my name when I show you something that works.


Glad my tips helped you.

Mark

[ 01-27-2004, 02:52 PM: Message edited by: FishinMission ]

[CATCH AND EAT]

Thanks Mark. Toes will heal eventually right? :grin: Anyways, you are right about the shallower water tactic too. We tried a strech above the Sellwood where the water climbs from 25 and suddenly rises to 12 ft. Soon as we cross that 12ft bar and traveled a bit and shorten the line up....BAM!!!!! fish on. Guess I just like to use your 18ft theroy as a starter.

I have anchored in 10 ft of water with kwiks and put the hammer on springers too up by Reed Island. Boy is that fun!!! Fish has no where to go except away. :grin: So I guess you can find fish where ya find them. A finder is a great tool to use and base some assumptions on. BTW, you still have more to teach me Obie One. You do remember that Jedi-Mission thread don't ya? :grin:

[Dinikin]

What about those flashers, dodgers, or fish flash before the q-fish. Any success.

[etacada]

I'd like to start fishing k fish this year for a change. can you fish a kfish off a jet diver? i've seen them used by the falls for bait and wondered how they worked.

thax,
cb

[FishinTechnician]

Give me a whole trolled herring with a "killer" roll. After my trip up to Langara this past June I may use big plug cut herring more than I have in the past. If any of you are wondering what the heck the oldtimers did before Kwikfish, wraps, scent and lemon Joy. The answer is....caught just as many fish. How do I know...... I'm one of them.

[Get Bent]

Not to disagree with some people.
But this is the way i do it.
.
A Priddy good guide taught me that the faster the water speed the bigger the Quick Fish.
.
When anchored up use a 25" to 36" lead line and a 5' to 6' foot leader remember your plug dives.
.
Back trolling Quick Fish jumbo jet diver with a 10" drop line again the size of the plug depends on the water speed.
.
Back bouncing Quick Fish 18" to 20" lead line 4' to 5' leader Oh never mind this way dose not work :grin:
.
Wraps do work would not fish with out one except on the K13 then i use Mikes Sardine Gel all so soaking your wraps in your egg cure juice is goodthe sodium sulfite seems to help.
.
as for colors double trouble id my go to color i don't think color has a lot to do with it my best K15 has 3/4 of the paint and chrome missing from it.
.
Hooks i run a swivel on my back hook and a large split ring on the belly hook i dont remove the belly 85% of the fish i hook are hooked on the belly hook then the bottom hook can come around and hook them in the face looks like there talking on the Phone
TB you can call me anytime i will take you fishing but you have to take me sturg fishing

[Kentucky Hog Hunter]

Chris,

Not that a southern hick like myself would know anything about this fishery but my opinion is you have to be flexible on what you are doing...

I have fished springers here out of a boat since 1993 and some years have been better than others...

I have fished that Columbia River from the Wind to Astoria for springers and my M.O. is you have to be willing to adapt to the environment you fish just as Fishin Mission has stated...No, I am not a self proclaimed expert at it but people fish different at Reed Island vs. Tannisille Island and some people will fish it the same...The key is being flexible on what you are willing to try...

Leder length to your lead is important as is the lure leder length...There is so much good advice on this thread but it can lead you to over analyze the situation...I think half the battle is having confidence in your presentation and have the understanding that you may need to change your tecniques from trip to trip...

OBTW, there are some spots we should go check out here very soon so get those K-14's & K-15's ready and be prepared to rip some lips...

[CATCH AND EAT]

Anything you would like to share with the class Rick? :grin:

Nope. :grin:

Well.....maybe.



No demo , but a trip with me, or you, anytime Chris.

:smile:

[ 01-28-2004, 05:56 PM: Message edited by: ****** ]

Did you buy a new heater Chris? [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

[Tacklebuster]

Double burner, just like someone else's I know

[steelheadslayer]

K13 up to 16. Anything with chrome and chartreuse and sometimes pink mixes pretty well.

[surebite77]

I'd like to compliment all the posters on this topic GREAT advice all the way around, if I could ad my two or three cents, in lite of proposed rule changes regaurding the handling of highfinners the 30 and 40 lb leaders are great for holding the leader and poppin out your hooks very quickly outside the boat and not tearing up the fish with the net. Also my true giants have fell to the K-16 at the very very beginning or end of the out going tide (even higher up in the river also) check your tide books on that one pretty interesting though.

[CATCH AND EAT]

Originally posted by ******:
Nope. :grin:

Well.....maybe.



No demo , but a trip with me, or you, anytime Chris.

:smile:

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Just what I thought. :grin:

[ 01-29-2004, 07:36 AM: Message edited by: CATCH AND EAT ]

[Fish mojo]

[ 01-29-2004, 05:46 PM: Message edited by: Fish mojo ]

[HOGTIDE]

I prefer k-14's most of the time. Usually some type of a chrome/chartreuse combo will do it. I shy away from bait wraps...I guess just because they look so bad, Can reason buying the beautiful attractive Flatfish and then covering it with a big chunk of inside-out meat?....but yes, I know wraps work. However, I have been rather lucky on the dumber fish that just prefer plain ol' plastic!

[Son of Bigjim]

this may sound a little odd but ive caught salmon on a purple, pink, and silver kwikfish cast and retrieve