Driftfishing question

08-23-2001, 06:06 PM

We finally got some significant rains. About time! I think they will drop pretty fast with the ground so dry but this will give a chance to bankfish for some summer steelhead or early cohos this weekend. My question is about the length of leaders while driftfishing. It seems to me that from when I started to fish a few years ago that leaders keep getting longer for drift fishing. I used to have about 20 inches or so but that seems short these days even in colored water. What is the best length to use in different water conditions? Thank you guys.

SteelieSteve · 08-23-2001, 06:31 PM

Julie
I use leaders about 30" for summers when the water is clear. I checked and the valley rivers didn't raise much. Coho fishing doesn't open until September. Good luck!

fishbait · 08-23-2001, 06:49 PM

Welcome to the board. As for leader length, just remember that your lead will usually have to travel about 1.8 times the length of your leader before you feel the bite. In clear water with spookie or line shy fish you need light and long leaders. In slightly colored water for say, chinook, you can get by with as short as the law allows if you are using a big hook or about 14 - 18 inches if no hook restrictions. Hope this helps......

Snapset · 08-23-2001, 10:15 PM

Generally, I like to match the length of my leaders to the depth of the water I am fishing. I like the hook to dive as soon as the lead hits the bottom. In addition, I like the translucence of the leader material to correspond with water clarity. Another important point I don't see mentioned much, is to make sure the Corky/Okie/spinGlo/Whatever will float the hook. Saves gear, keeps hooks sharp, Keeps the gear up where the fish can see it.

With regards to leader length: A short leader is going to give a much more jerkyappearance to the lures action as it drifts downstream, and the lead ticks over the bottom. Sometimes this is a good thing, sometimes not. When the fish are aggressive, the jerky motion can be a strike trigger, but in hot weather, smooth is good.

Most Important, and I know u didn't ask about this: Always carry a hook file, and sharpen or replace your hooks often. Check them at least every 10 casts.

Uncle Bob · 08-23-2001, 10:56 PM

I agree with snapshot. Spend all that time on the river, and then miss the fish because you have a little burr on the tip of your hook - or a nick in yout leader. NOT!
One thing to remember about the use of corky, spin-n-glo and such, don't use too big of item, else it will impeed the hook.

My leader length is usally the length of my arm from my mouth stretched out to my finger tips.

Good luck UB

Rod · 08-23-2001, 11:37 PM

I find that the leader length is best a distance fronm hook to swivel of the distance from your fingertips to elbow.

Uncle Bob · 08-23-2001, 11:51 PM

But on the other hand...
If you're 12 ft tall and have a hand to elbow length of 4ft.and she's 4ft6in. and has a hand to elbow length of 14inches, does this mean that she can only fish in merky colored water?

Just kidding Rod...Good to have ya on board. See ya on the River UB

Grits · 08-24-2001, 01:05 PM

Does anybody have a good diagram of how to rig up with a corky? I am hoping to spend some time on Eagle creek the next few months and have heard this can be productive but have never really fished with anyone who drift fishes.

How big of a corkie do you use? What size hook? Egg loops (do they sell set ups pre made for this or do you have to tie your own)? Any other sound words of advice on drift fishing?

Thanks in advance for any help.

4Salt · 08-24-2001, 02:33 PM

Grits,

My advice would be to pick up Bill Herzog's book on steelhead drift fishing. It has good photos, diagrams for rigging up, and descriptions of different drifting techniques (rigging a corky, tying an eggloop etc...) Or hook up with an experienced drift fisher, and watch, and learn. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[ 08-24-2001: Message edited by: 4Salt ]

RIPPLE · 08-24-2001, 02:40 PM

I have found that the leader needs to be just long enough to reach from the lead to the fishes lips. Even one inch shorter than that will result in considerably fewer hook ups [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Have a great day!
Ripple

Thumper · 08-24-2001, 03:13 PM

The all-time biggie guide on the Situk River in SE Alaska (nasty Frank Deveraux)used to fish the ultra-low water spring steelhead there with a tiny blue pearly corkie on a #4 or #6 hook and, get this, 6-8 inch leaders. He poo-pooed extra-long leaders, feeling that the longer the leader the longer the reaction time. This year several NF Lewis guides (including Ted Howell) shortened their low-water leaders to no more than 18 inches for exactly that same reason. Who knows.

08-24-2001, 07:19 PM

Thanks a bunch guys. After reading these posts I will be comfortable again fishing my 20" leaders in average colored water while guys around me are fishing 3 foot leaders. I am going to try the Sandy for late returning summer steelheads and hopefully some early cohos. That was a cute one Ripple. I like cute. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] I also learned some time ago that it's a good idea to push a piece of toothpick into the corky hole to help keep it snugged to the hookeye or egg clusters. How can I keep things like spin and glos near the hook while drifting it without stopping the spin action? Thank you. Julie

Snapset · 08-24-2001, 09:13 PM

If there is enough current to turn the Spin-n-Glo, it will push it against the hook, so no need for anything to keep it there. Just be sure to put a couple glass beads betweeen the Spin-n-Glo and the hook or you will have a perpetual headache with your leader.

ampersat · 08-24-2001, 11:22 PM

i've read this tip here before but it bears repeating. the spookier the fish are, the longer the leader should be. i'd also say anything over 2.5' of leader you should rig your weight on a slider on your mainline. you'll feel the hit easier that way and the fish is only feeling about half the weight of your lead.

check your line and hook anytime you snag up and manage to free it. check it anyway after each dozen or so casts. no sense missing a fish just because it's going to take a few moments to check and fix your gear.

this is the first i've heard about making sure the corkie will hold up the hook. maybe that's why i spend so much time rerigging my line. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Sliderite · 08-25-2001, 01:44 AM

I personally would not go beyond a 3 (not more than 3.5) foot leader in even the lowest flows. You can't feel good knowing that the 6 to 8 foot leaders some use may be flossing the steelheads teeth and therefore hooking them up. Fishing is about feeling good about what you do, enjoying the environment, and knowing you did the right thing...or ethics!!
Fishing is suppose to be relaxing..don't make it into something where if you don't catch fish equals a lousy time. Be fair to the fish and have a great time!

willierower · 08-25-2001, 06:14 AM

Julie,
For low clear water a 30 to 36 inch leader is what I normally use. When the water is a little colored I use 24 to 30 inch leaders.
There is no need to peg your corky with a tooth pick. 99% of the time the corky will be at your hook. As for corky and hooks sizes. With a # 10 corky you should use a hook no smaller than #1. With a #12 corky the smallest hook should be a #2. One way to tell if the hook is too small for the drift bobber is to slide the drift bobber between the hook point and the shank of the hook. If the drift bobber wont pass through, The hook is too small.