Kokanee: increasing hook to land ratio

[FallRiverGuy]

In another thread lots of people were giving great advice on methods they employ to increase their hook to land ratio of Kokanee. I thought it might be nice to start a separate thread just on this topic. Here are some of the things I do to in an attempt to land more Kokanee.

1)Double hook set-up on lures.
2)Use size 4 or size 2 hooks
3)Don’t run flashers inline unless that is the only way to get bites.
4)Ultralite slow action rods rated for 2-6 lb line.
5)Use mono not braided line.
6)Set the clip tension tight so a good hook set is produced. An average
sized Kokanee should not be able to release the line from the clip, IMHO.
7)Get the rod out of the holder, and line out of the clip, as soon as possible
after a bite so any slack can be removed putting you in control of the fight.
People new to downriggers and Kokanee loose fish by being too
slow to get the rod out of the holder and the line out of the clip.
8)Free spool reel using thumb for a drag when fish make runs.
9)When a fish is twisting or splashing near the surface, either free spool
line in a controlled way, or drop the rod tip in the water, or both.
10)Tire the fish away from the boat if possible.
11)Bring the fish in slowly, it is a finesse fight.
12)Use a long handled net.
13)Wait to net a fish until it is tired and swimming next to the boat.

I think that coves most of what I do.

[Two Fister]

You forgot about the 47 different types of scented and dyed corn that you carry along!
TF

[Doc_Rhen]

I found this interesting article linked from The Fish Sniffer boards in their Kokanee FAQ's, http://www.kokaneepower.org/articles/3.pdf it seems to be actually posted on Kokanee Power's board. It is a very interesting read. I am not much of a Kokanee Fisherman yet but I am interested. The only question I have about your list of landing kokes is the tight release clip. I have watched a couple shows and read a few articles by Gary Miralles (Owner of Shasta Tackle Company). He has designed a release clip which will allow pretty easy releases because he believes that having the fish on the clip too long works their mouth over too much and most fish lost are from too tough of release clips. I can certainly understand the concept of needing enough pressure to set the hook.

[FallRiverGuy]

I use to lose a lot of fish with low clip tension. Trial and error on release settings have proved to me that a tighter tension works better for me. Since the release and the cable that attaches to the ball acts like a lever I believe that there is enough "give" in the system with a limber rod to handle the stress of a fish. But, it is also important to get the line free of the clip quickly. Bigger fish or ones that hit with gusto will release from the clip. I lose more fish when this happens. Wickiup fish have a tendency to hit from the bottom and shoot up to the surface. These fish will pop the clip and be up jumping around before I can get to the rod. When that happens there is a lot of slack in the line and a good chance that they will be off before I can reel up the slack. Anyway, this is what works for me and obviously might not work for someone else.

[wanafish]

As a newbie to DR's I picked FRG's brain alot and found his advice golden. Don't worry about setting the tension so the fish will release, just watch the rod tips and pop it loose, reel up any slack and fish on! If the fish took it off the clip you know you have a nice one. Double hook set ups really increased the hookup to net ratio. Light slow action rods to absorb the fight and reeled down as tight as possible shows the bite well and looks cool doubled over in the holders. Dang. now I'm getting anxious!

[ElkTalker]

I used the Shasta lake co release clip this year, and for the most part I liked them. One problem I had was damage to the line from the clip. I use 6# mono line and thought I would try 8# next year. Sep’s also has a release that I’m going to try along with a better quality mono line. As far as tension goes, it has to be tight enough to hold my rod tip two feet off the water. This usually allows a 12” fish or bigger to pop the clip. After 15 minuets of seeing fish on my fish finder with out a strike, I pull the line in because if you miss seeing the initial strike of a smaller fish you just drag them around without knowing it

[Splash]

Originally Posted by wanafish

As a newbie to DR's I picked FRG's brain alot and found his advice golden. Don't worry about setting the tension so the fish will release, just watch the rod tips and pop it loose, reel up any slack and fish on! If the fish took it off the clip you know you have a nice one. Double hook set ups really increased the hookup to net ratio. Light slow action rods to absorb the fight and reeled down as tight as possible shows the bite well and looks cool doubled over in the holders. Dang. now I'm getting anxious!

I would agree to all mentioned here except the doubled over rod. I know that this is the norm for downrigger fishing but I find the bite is more easily detected if the rod is loaded ~2/3 but not maxed out. At least I have found at Merwin it is easier to detect the light bite and dragging pikeminnow this way. Probably not so much of a problem on other waters.

[adobe wall]

Yep splash i'd have to agree, about 2/3 loaded rod worked well on Merwin. I also think the lightweight (3 lb) cannonballs I had helped too.

Pikeminnows? On Merwin? Say it ain't so!

regards, aw

[IDFishrite]

Seems like extending the release back farther might help?
(should increase rod tip movement with little guys on the hook)I know it can be tough to find that "perfect" tension balance. I love the Seps release.

Good tips FRG!

[moknots]

NICE POST FRG!! The only thing I have to add is flipping, or launching. I posted in the wrong thread, under "kokanee, soft mouths". Oops. Made more sense in your thread. Anyhow, check it out and see what you think. Thanks for all the excellent scoop you always share so freely. Way to put Carmen in your boat (karma). That's why you catch so many fish -- you are being rewarded by The Man for your generosity

[Dullhook]

All of these are excellent tips learned through experience . Enough kokes get off on the original strike that we need every edge we can get especially on those slow days.

4)Ultralite slow action rods rated for 2-6 lb line.

I've got an ultra-light 1-6 lb rated Loomis rod to use with the 1/2 oz jigs or the downrigger. Not only does it do a better job on tiring out the fish but it's a kick to use.The bigger fish bend the rod tip right under the water when they're close to the boat! When I see folks using those huge salmon rods and baitcasting reels I just think about how much fun they're missing out on. Koke fishin' is such great sport too.

[FallRiverGuy]

Originally Posted by moknots

The only thing I have to add is flipping, or launching.

I don't think I have your acumen for that technique. I have done the flipping while jigging for smaller fish, or when the net is tied up with another fish. It works most of the time, but I don't know if I could say it improves my land percentage. However, the target practice into a cooler, or "stamping" a fishing buddy sounds like flippen fun.

All this talk has me dreaming of April too. It is hard to think the season opens in a little over 4 months when there is 3 feet of snow on the ground. Lets hope Suttle is snow free earlier.

[fish-on-bend]

Brian---- can you say "Lake Billy Chinook?" My first experience there was a February kokanee trip about 12 years ago. Yes we caught some.
I can't believe all the chatter on here about Kokanee in January.

[wanafish]

"stamping" I like that. We always play off the Ghost Busters theme and say "you've been slimed" Rarely use a net since a few years back I was anchored next to a guy at the brush pile on Wickiup and he was hauling them in over the side. The bite was on and we were using the old net where every time we were having to untangle the hooks. So after watching this guy just hoisting over the side we started doing it too. Took awhile to get the technique, you got to be smooth alright(something I struggle with) Reel down and lift in a smooth motion. Seen alot of them bang off the side of the boat and swim away. Alot that come off in mid air and land in the boat, or somebody's back. Once you get the feel for the right amount of lift they usually land where they're supposed to and you can get your jig back in the water! Still net any large fish 16" plus and any troll caught fish. Got a rubber net for that and it works good to eliminate tangles. Good idea to extend the handle, will have to do that. Cabin fever kokanee. Seems to happen every year about this time!

[Smalma]

To your fine list of tips I would add just a couple items regarding hooks -

1) use sticky sharp hooks
2) Change hooks more often - I find when I have a "hot" rig I reluctant to change anything but after several dozen fish the hooks often become dull.
3) Experiment with hook styles to find what works for you but I have found that thin wire hooks and small barbs on the average produce better (hook-ups to hand) than a more standard hook

Tight lines
Curt

[FallRiverGuy]

Originally Posted by Smalma

To your fine list of tips I would add just a couple items regarding hooks -

1) use sticky sharp hooks
2) Change hooks more often - I find when I have a "hot" rig I reluctant to change anything but after several dozen fish the hooks often become dull.
3) Experiment with hook styles to find what works for you but I have found that thin wire hooks and small barbs on the average produce better (hook-ups to hand) than a more standard hook

Tight lines
Curt

Good points, especially with regards to the hooks. I have been using drop shot hooks on some of my rigs and really like them.

[P-ride]

Originally Posted by FallRiverGuy

Good points, especially with regards to the hooks. I have been using drop shot hooks on some of my rigs and really like them.

After I read an article in STS, I started looking for drop shot hooks, but couldn't seem to find any in a smaller size. Mind telling me what brand/size of drop shot hooks that you use? I'm always looking for way to improve my kokanee catching/landing!

[Splash]

I use the Gamakatsu split shot/drop shot hook in sizes 6 or 2 when running single hooks. Double hook rigs are size 4 Gamakatsu octopus.

Notice the double name of split shot/drop shot. Had a bugger of a time finding them untilI started looking at the hook shape. They are a strong fine wire hook and I really like them when fishing single hooks for kokanee.

Eagle Claw makes a Khali style hook similar to a drop shot it is a heavier guage of wire. Those I am trying to use up at the fly bench on various nymph patterns.

[Smalma]

In 2006 I experimented with about a dozen different style of hooks including trebles keeping track of how each performed. What I found that the drop shot hooks, especially when fished as doubles preformed much better than any others tried - my hooked to landed ratio when from 50 to 60% range for most hooks to consistently in excess of 85%. In all cases I used a soft glass rod, direct drive reels and a long handle net for the "test".

You can find the gammi drop shot hooks in most of our better sporting good stores that carry a good selection of bass gear. They are usually sold in packs of 6 but I have been able to find some 25 hook packs (usually via mail order). It is sometimes hard to find them in redd - more common to find them as bronzed. While the redd ones look nicer I have not noticed any difference in catch rates between the two.

I usually tie my 2 hook leaders with size #2 drop shots or a # 2 trailed by a #4. While the #2/#4 combo "looks" better have not notice any difference in performance between the two. If I were fishing poplations with mostly small fish (less than 10 inches) I might consider dropping down to size #4.

Tight lines
Curt