Help with Steelies on the Columbia

O'City Fisherman · 06-19-2001, 07:36 AM

I need help with what to use and how to rig it when fishing for Steelhead on the Columbia?

Are people using bait? Are you running plugs?

Are people rigging there rods like the springers but smaller plugs/bait??

Gizmo Man · 06-19-2001, 08:56 AM

Depending on where you fish, it's x-4; x-5 or u20 flor. red ff. Cowlitz, Kalama Lewis river areas.

Up by Bonneville, and Washougal, its small spinners.

Use a dropper, watch those who are catching and set accordingly. Start at about 36" and go up or down from there.

Water depth from 9' to 20'

Watch where they are getting them..

Don't forget scent...

Pay attention to what is going on around you.

We moved about 5 times and tried several lures to get into the shad last night. Yes, I know you asked about steelhead, but the principal is the same.

Good luck..

The Giz...

O'City Fisherman · 06-19-2001, 09:20 AM

Thanks Giz. We are going to go up to Kalama and try our luck up there first across from the boat dock.

If the luck is good I will let you know.

dawhunt · 06-19-2001, 10:11 AM

Hi,I use a #4 spinner blade with a pink tip
on a 30" lead line and a 36" leader and have done really well out of camas & washougal.I have also used the small U20 RED with the same length leaders and have had pretty good luck in slower water.I've also used Flash and Glows with good results both brass and silver blades. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
Bob

HOGTIDE · 06-19-2001, 10:43 AM

Gotta agree with Giz on this one. Its hard to beat using a X-5 flo red/ org. flatfish. I usually remove the treble hooks and replace them with single #1 siwash hooks attached by a #10 macmahon swivel. I believe I get better hookups and easier releases with this riggin'. I use about a 32" dropper and the same length for a leader. 1 1/2 to 2 ounces should work well at Kalama and the Cowlitz. WD-40 seems to help. The fish are already showing this year. Everything seems to be early in the lower Columbia this season. Good Luck!

HOG

FishinMission · 06-19-2001, 01:06 PM

O.C....If you can find them...get yourself a #124 Flash Glo with a silver blade. This spinner is the hottest blade I've ever seen...fish it with a 34" dropper and about equal leader length...and sharpen your hooks. Try 18-25 feet of water...and use it for the Chinooks too. They BOTH suck 'em up!!

Gizmo Man · 06-19-2001, 01:23 PM

oh gee!!!, a real live helping fishing post. I just knew if I waited long enough we could help someone who is looking for what this board should be all about.

[img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

Go get em OCF and don't forget to watch the tides...as you want to fish the outgoing and to post us a real fishing report with what you seeand do....

The Giz...

Bait O' Eggs · 06-19-2001, 02:08 PM

Before utilizing someones help, make sure they know what they are doing. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

And Giz, why dont you get down in the gutter with the rest of us. It is so easy to just roll around in the filth and complain. It would take effort to actually make a fishing post. You know how lazy some of us are. Whine, complain, snivel, it is so easy. [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

(just 4 stew)

06-19-2001, 04:52 PM

Hey Giz what shad? You and Roy kept cutting my line and breaking my hooks. It's no dam wonder that I could only get 2 shad.
Stew

06-19-2001, 05:16 PM

[ 07-02-2001: Message edited by: ****** ]

06-19-2001, 11:36 PM

[ 07-02-2001: Message edited by: ****** ]

SteelieSteve · 06-20-2001, 06:08 AM

****** do they work from the beaches too [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Leader length? 30 - 36 inches? Some flatlander in a blue willie gave me a couple.

06-20-2001, 04:40 PM

[ 07-02-2001: Message edited by: ****** ]

Drachir · 06-21-2001, 05:43 PM

Here's my 2 cents worth, on Columbia Seelies.
I fish in 15'-19' of water on out going tide, and have had my best success on X-4 Flourescent Red Flatfish, w/ 4' dropper and 5'leader. In last 5 years I have pretty much outfished all those around me, even those w/ same lure but different leader lengths. It does work so give it a try, when the Chinook start coming in August, they love it as well. Good Luck, and keep your hooks needle sharp, and you'll get some, just hope for missing adipose.

KarenLee · 06-22-2001, 07:45 AM

useful info [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Gizmo Man · 06-22-2001, 12:23 PM

How about posting more of your summer steelie techniques. Favorite lure, leader length and dropper length and water depth.

Let's make it a fun learning post.

Oh yea...post your success stories.

The giz...

GoFish · 06-24-2001, 02:31 PM

Fished the mouth of the Lewis 6/23. Bite was kinda slow with only four fish that I saw (saw, not caught) As far as I could tell, the hot rod was using sand shrimp behind a blue spin and glo with mylar wings and about a 24-30" dropper. Wish I had a success story of my own.

[ 06-24-2001: Message edited by: gofish ]

fishchaser · 06-24-2001, 04:23 PM

Hey Drahcir(RAZ) I know better than that. Your wife and son are the ones catching all the fish. Your the one taking them off the hook. When we go out this year remember the flashlight, Hopefully I will need it again.
You two are the only ones I know who can show up late get a spot in the hog line and leave early cause Linda's caught today's limit.I hope this year is that good. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Filet-O-Fish · 07-02-2001, 09:03 PM

Thanks for the great info. I went out on the columbia today and caught my first summer steelhead today 15# native [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]. It was caught on a 124 Flash Glo with a Bronze blade. I wasn't even done getting my line untangled from the net when the other pole went down (using ff flo red). The second fish broke the leader [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]. All this happend with in 5 minutes. Thanks again for the great info, I'm going out and try it again tommorrw.

John