Getting my tackle in order for VC Island trip...

Duckwheat · 04-01-2007, 05:29 PM

I tried to search this question, but did not find it. I remember someone else talking about using the downriggers to fish for halibut. It would be nice to get the bait down and not have to reel it up the weight, especially for the kids. Any thoughts on how well this works? Any pitfalls? I was thinking of using a weight that I am not too attached to and put a lighter mono leader between it and the downrigger cable. That way if you hung up you could just break it off below the cable.

I was thinking about rubber banding some of those glow sticks to the rig. Too complicated?

I had a hard time keeping the flounder off the line last year between Halibut. Any thoughts on technique to keep them off?

One of the absolute best things I did last year was Mark Mc's cable hook and snap behind the dodger. It won Jr a free fishing trip up north.

Always Appreciative Duckwheat

fish_on · 04-01-2007, 05:33 PM

I was thinking that you could use disposable weights and a piece of 50-60lb test between the cable and weight so if you hangup it's not critical.

OuterLimits · 04-01-2007, 06:10 PM

Tomictime is the go to guy for details. He knows how!!

5 Salt · 04-02-2007, 02:34 PM

We whacked more hali's on the troll at Barcley Sound last year than we ever did drifting.

There is a huge bank about 25miles straight out from Cape Beal near Bamfield. The unique quality of this bank is that is ran for about 7 -10 miles at an consistant depth or 210-225ft deep.

We double stacked the riggers so we trolled mid column to surface for salmon and the bottom for what ever. Army Truck Coyote Spoons behind 11in Hot Spot Cop Car Flasher at 10-20 off the bottom was the hot ticket followed by Green/Chrome Hot Spots in very close second. The technique netted us nice chicken halibut 20-40lbs, lingcod, and the occasional fat Chinook on the bottom. Once we found fish it was pretty automatic for Lings and Halibut. We trolled at salmon speeds.

Good fight on salmon gear as well.

I've often thought the same technique would work well off Oregon/Wash coast do to uniform depth contours - wouldn't hurt for early season salmon troll. Plenty of 150-200 ft water along the coast the will produce chinook early season along with the occasional Ling or Hali I would think.

Just got to be on the bottom.

tomictime · 04-02-2007, 06:20 PM

trolling can be effective...

This is example of troll caught hali on Tomic plug (5" 602)..fishing Kings on the deck. I use the green snubbers for the wire to DR ball connection and then run the release clip off the top sampo swivel on the snubber (this gets the lure up off bottom just a bit.
If I am targeting hali on the troll I use an all white HotSpot flasher w lures and BIG herring.

They will also come up a great distance IF they are hungry and if the bait is right. I have seen a 70 taken trolling at 20' in 50' of water...that was something to see in a King hole.

have fun.

JD

Duckwheat · 04-02-2007, 08:02 PM

Thanks for the help guys. I was not thinking of trolling as much as yet letting it down with the downrigger.

Trolling sounds like less likelihood of tangles.

Duckwheat

onaga · 04-08-2007, 03:46 PM

Went out of Winter Harbour (north vc) 2 years ago. Fished in <150' water anchored. Current not a problem for less than 48 oz. Didn't notice the lead when your pullin up 50#+ fish. Did't loose any lead as I recall. 19' boat and no tangles for 3 poles. Caught halibut while trolling for salmon as well. Never seen a salmon rod bent in half like that before...