Lower Columbia Plunking Techs!!

Jellyhead · 02-12-2001, 01:10 PM

Well, after going beach fishing this weekend down at prescott beach, I thought I'd share some techs. on plunking the lower columbia. I don't know if these techs. are used in other places, like Meldrum Bar or in other rivers, but they have worked well for me and my friends from the Mult. Channel down to Jones Beach in Clatskanie.

To start, tie a 3-way swivel to your mainline. From this run 20-25" of line off the bottom swivel of the three way and attach another 3-way. You will attach your weight to the bottom three-way. (Some people will use spreaders instead of 3-ways, but I don't think they work any better, and they cost more) From each one of your 3-ways you attach your spinning-glo. I will tie about 20" of line to a 1-2/0 hook using a bait loop. Then slide a corky, followed by a spinning-glo down to the hook. Make sure your hooks are sticky sharp. Tie the spinning-glo rig to your 3-way. In oregon you can have 3 hooks, so alot of people will use 3 three-ways w/three spinning glo rigs. I choose to use two because it is easier to cast for me.

Now that you have your glo's rigged, attach an appropriate pyramid sinker to your bottom three-way with a clip or snap.

To cast, I lay the whole setup on the beach behind, and to the side of me to make sure nothing is twisted up. I'll then Lob or throw the whole works out side armed. Watch your rig as it flies out, if any of the leaders look twisted up going into the water, reel up and check them. Nothing is worse than fishing for a half hour with balled-up twisted leaders. Also, if you are new to this kind of fishing, choose an uncrowded section of beach to practice casting. One other thing, if in doubt use more lead than you think you need. Nothing makes enemies like drifting into your buddies line because of not enough weight.

The majority of the fish are caught in 3-6 ft. of water, so you don't have to cast half way across the river. Usually 3-4 rod lengths out will do it.

Then, put your pole in your sand spike and put your bell on your guide and drink a cold one and tell lies to the other bankies around the fire.

When a bell goes off everyone usually reels up in the adjacent spot. You will make enemies quickly if you don't reel up when someone next to you gets a fish on. Also, try to come up with a unique sounding bell. I personally use an old aluminum driking cup with a small bell inside as a ringer. I know when my bell rings just by it's unique sound. I don't have to even watch my pole.

Beach fishing isn't for everyone, but some of the most interesting people I've ever met were while I was fishing and standing around a fire swapping fish tales. Also, It's a great way for people w/kids to fish, just turn them loose with a bucket and shovel and let em' play in the sand.

Oh, And you can actually catch some nice fish!!!!

Good Luck

Aaron

WildHawg · 02-12-2001, 07:18 PM

Actually sounds like fun--as long as I have my tent set up nearby to crash in after drinking enough that I find those around me among the most interesting people I have ever met in my life (that would have to take into account a whole lot of people!) I guess the other alternative is bringin' the kids and staying sober--which really doesn't sound like a bad option either, sooo....where does one pursue such piscatorial pastimes???

Jellyhead · 02-13-2001, 06:56 AM

WildHawg,

There are a few good beaches to fish from. The one I go to most is Prescott beach park. You can drive right up on the beach and they have full facilities. It is Just past the nuke plant off hwy 30 on the way to Rainier.

Other places include willow bar on Sauvies Island, Meldrum Bar in Clackamas, Rainier City park, Jones Beach in Clatskanie, and Laurelwood beach Just before you get into rainier. I'm sure there's lots of other places, But these are the ones I'm most familiar with. For a drunken time, Laurelwood or Jones would probably be good (less people, less developed). For family fun, Prescott would get my vote (there's places for the kids and ol' lady to do their business)

Have fun

Aaron

local_hooker · 02-14-2001, 07:54 AM

good info thanks. I take the one yr. old and the three yr. old everywhere I go. How is the beach to drive on? Need 4-wheel drive? The wife just got a minivan with tv and vcr, if I keep 'em zoned out on cartoons I might actually get some fishing done ;-)

Jellyhead · 02-14-2001, 08:28 AM

Local,

The beach is good. There is gravel/sand right next to the river. I park right where I can keep an eye on my pole, If you have a 4wd you can pull a little closer, but you don't need one. Pretty user friendly beach. Better get there fairly early on a weekend or else you may not be able to park real close to the water.

Have fun

Aaron

Jellyhead · 02-14-2001, 12:16 PM

FB,

Well, it's like any other type of fishing. Everybody has thier little tricks that they add to their rig to up thier chances at sucess.

Here's what I say: For instance, I was out saturday and there were about 25 rods, out of the 25 rods there were 5 fish landed, and two lost, in about 4 hrs. Not too bad. But, I didn't have a bite.

As far as increasing your chances, if you're new to plunking, make sure when someone lands a fish you go down and look at what color spin glo is in it's mouth, notice if it's the bottom glo or top glo, and what size it is. This could give you a good clue what to use. Also, use scents. I think a paste type (smelly Jelly) works best and lasts the longest. Also, look at the beach terrain. If you end up on a point, you don't have to cast more than 3 rod lengths out, because the fish will pass close. If you're down or upstream of a point cast out a little further.

And the number one thing to remember, have a loose drag! When a fish hits you glo the pyramid weight will set the hook, but if your drag is to tight the fish will come off. Once you get to your pole then you can adjust you're drag.

These things will effect how many fish you catch. I've had days were I've limited out in 30 minutes, and I've gone a week without so much as a bell ringer. Now is a good time to be on the beach though. There are lots of big native winter steelhead pushing through and the springers are just starting.

Let me know how you do.

Good Luck

Aaron

02-14-2001, 10:22 PM

I'm not a beach plunking regular but I will add a couple cents worth of ideas. I agree with watching what is getting bites. I would prefer to use a larger hook; perhaps a 3/0 for springer plunking. I use 4/0's for backbouncing from a boat for springs. I would also fish just a little further out and a little deeper if the current isn't too strong. I also suggest trying bait on the hooks below the Spin N Glos; such as prawn tails, small herring filet pieces, egg clusters, &/or sandshrimp. Also try some scented K12 Kwikfish or U20 Flatfish on the upper 3-way/leader. - RT

MikeT · 02-14-2001, 11:43 PM

Jellyhead,
I used to fish for summer steelhead off the Sauvie Is. beaches. We always fished the outgoing tide, and the bigger the drop the better we liked it.
Does the same apply to spinger fishing or does the tide matter?

thanks....MikeT

fishbait · 02-14-2001, 11:52 PM

Jellyhead,
Thanks for sharing..
What is the success rate overall? IE: 20 rods i n the water over say 5 days, how many fish hooked on an average?
I understand that this is a laid back fishery, one you can share with the family, but say I take the wife and kids, fish 2 rods, properly rigged, good bait, etc, If I spend 5 days can I expect to catch mabey 1 fish or 5?

Jellyhead · 02-15-2001, 07:16 AM

Good Advice RT,

The only reason I use a smaller hook, is because with the size of the spin-glos I use, and the gentle current of the lower columbia, Larger hooks seem to interfere with the spinning. But, if I had the current, I'd go for it.

As far as bait goes---you could call me the carp-meyster. I recieved so much ridicule one summer for catching carp on my plunking rig, that I quit adding bait. Imagine this scenerio, It's early morning, you throw out put your bell on, and ease into a lawn chair. RING, RING, RING!! I run to my pole, set the hook and the fight is on! It's fighting good too. I get it in to the beach, and I see a gold flash?!? A Carp!! Everyone gathered around me laughs and ridiculed me for a long time about my "golden salmon". So I no longer use bait.

As far as the kwik fish goes, alot of guys will throw out, and then tie a kwikfish on a leader w/a snap swivel on the end of it, then clip it on their main line and slide it down the line. When it gets to the water, the current will pull it down to the three way, or whatever stopper they have.

Oh yeah, It wouldn't be beach fishing w/o a little sand in your coffee either.

Have fun,

Aaron

Navigator · 02-17-2001, 09:13 AM

Jellyhead, thanks soooo much for the post. This is encouraging and inviting. What size rod is best?

Also, for those of you with kids, years ago I was invited to plunk around Clatskanie (sp?). I took my three year old (at the time). BE CAREFUL when BIG container ships go up the river. We had a huge backwash - the draw upriver exposed my spin' glow on the beach and the backwash was HUGE. Burried my rod. If my little one had been near the shoreline, she would of been gone. Scared the heck out of me. Fortunately, she was near me as I wanted to show her the boat. I had no idea of the risk. Be safe everyone. Keep an eye on your kids, always.

Trick · 06-22-2001, 09:45 AM

Another good plunking post that may help some of you. Jellyhead broke it down well.

Jellyhead · 06-22-2001, 02:47 PM

I was suprised to see this come to the top!!! What a coincidence, I'll be beach fishing for the first time this weekend since I wrote that post in Feb. We're going to boat in to a Lower Columbia Island and bank fish. I'll try to post how it goes.

Aaron

Trick · 06-24-2001, 04:41 PM

So JH, how'd you do? I think I know where your fishin'. There's two really good islands to fish from down there. I fished it on Thursday morning outgoing. Fished to about 11am, 8 rods out on the stretch, 12 fish landed, unfortunatly 7 of them were Chinooks that had to be released. I caught 1 20+ nook and my eight year old son got a small clipped steelhead. My partner landed two chinook with one in the 25-30 range. I'm itchin' to get back out there.

sinker · 06-24-2001, 05:08 PM

How much weight does your pole have to be able to fling out there???
Anyone on here try it off Collins Beach before???

Trick · 06-24-2001, 05:59 PM

Takes a minimum of 6 oz to hold on the bottom. Usually during heavy runoffs you'll need to increase it into the 8 to 10 range to keep from rolling. Where is Collins beach located? It might be worth a try.

Jellyhead · 06-25-2001, 02:18 PM

tshickam, check you're e-mail.

Well, we didn't do any good. Had 4 rods on the beach the whole out-going tide on Sunday, not even a bell ringer. Pulled out every trick in the book. Even managed to wet a flatfish and the "thin twins", Just wasn't our day I guess.

Aaron