RSK's vs. Plug Cut

Phil Layer · 10-04-2001, 10:52 AM

Nothing beats the convenience of the Rotary Salmon Killer. I love the fact a rookie can be baiting their own hooks after a 15 second lesson with these.

But, I'm concerned with hookups with these things vs. a mooching rig with plug clut herring (or whole). I like the second hook on the mooching rig.

Has the RSK made the mooching rig an antique or do you still prefer lashing your herring to an "old" mooching rig?

Phil Layer · 10-04-2001, 12:22 PM

FF,

They make two sizes. But, I think the only difference is in the plastic sleeve that holds the hook back from the plastic rotator.

The sweet thing about them is that the rotator unit can be pried open with your fingers and a herring head inserted. The herring is then held tightly and the hook dangles out totwards the tail of the fish. Anybody can be a herring baiter in seconds with one of these. Or, if you want to bait for your fishing buds, you only spend seconds snapping a fresh herring in.

These things have a little rudder on them that sends the herring into a nice death roll. It is not adjustable, however.

Fishing freak · 10-04-2001, 01:03 PM

Thanks moby!! I'll give them a try.

Pilar · 10-04-2001, 01:16 PM

Oh but it is adjustable. You can twist the head so it is parallel to the clip or up or down to change the angle on the fin.

I've seen different colors of both the clip and the fin. Green, chartruese, red and clear so far. There are 3 different sizes that I know of, Big fin, regular and small. This invention will soon surpass toilet paper for its usefulness to the bait rigging challenged fisher. Perfect spin every time.

bait boy · 10-04-2001, 01:22 PM

There is also multi colored ones like clear w/chatr. fin then theres blue, and the glow in the dark one is killer in the early am. they started putting prism eyes on the top clip part as well. I heard a rumor that they work in tide water and upriver as well as the ocean...but dont tell anyone :-) [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Fishing freak · 10-04-2001, 01:37 PM

Do you just let the single hook dangle? Does it wrap the fish? How about hook-ups , are they as consistent with hooking and keeping fish-on as cut plug? Thanks in Advance [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

bait boy · 10-04-2001, 02:02 PM

The hook hangs free. there is a plastic sheath that covers the last few inches of leader and allows for the hook to remain at the right spot with the proper size herring. the sheath also stiffens the rig so it remains tightly spinning with the bait. I found that even if the herring is missed or "short strike" happens that the bait more times that not will still remain attacched to the clip in good condition causeing the fish to have to rebound and hit again if it wants the bait. More times than not after the fish is hooked the clip slides up and away from the fish anyway. So... I think it saves bait and fish from the short strike syndrome. If the fish shakes that hook he deserves to be let go. the hook size is big and is a pretty good quality hook but don't set your hook if you use tough line, DO NOT SET THE HOOK your diver has done it for you keep the pressure on the fish.

One last thing about this rig. this year I saw over 300 fish come to the side of a boat the hook is big enough to cause some real damage to those fish that have to be released. so be careful

Phil Layer · 10-04-2001, 02:08 PM

Baitboy,

You don't see an advantage to having that second hook with a mooching rig?

I seem to miss more fish with RSK's but that could be my old age. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Also, I used a bunch of the regular sized ones at Buoy 10. Do I need the longer sleeves for Chinook or should I be able to get by with the regular sized ones?

bait boy · 10-04-2001, 02:18 PM

Moby,

The RSK is IMO made for trolling only. If I am actually mooching I use plug cut and 2 hook solid tie (if I have it).

The different sized RSK's are for the bait sizes that you are fishing with. the "Big Fin" version is typically used for a longer wider bait like purple or black label herring.

Threemuch · 10-04-2001, 03:08 PM

I have used these with great success in the salt for quite some time. I only use the big fin. It spins faster than a cut plug, I think. Let the hook dangle. If you watch how the bait runs, the hook stays centered while the fish spins around the axis. Salmon are sloppy eaters. If you don't like one hook, shorten the spacer and rethread the clip and spacer on a two hook mooching rig.

Another bonus about the RSK is that the plastic sleeve protects your line from rubbing across the teeth in a lengthy battle. A big bonus for 30lb plus fish in my book.

Wanna get really crazy? Throw a few beads and a spinner in front of the clip. Whoa! Is it a spinner? Is it a bait? I dunno, but it will catch fish!

THE REEL HEY_YALL · 10-04-2001, 03:34 PM

I've been a member of this board for a while and I still haven't figured out what the **** IMO or IMHO stands for. somebody enlighten me please. [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

Like Pilar said, there's so many funky things you can do to these. You can paint them as well, or add a second hook [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] I'll keep that one under wraps for now until it's perfected. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

WheresMyBobber · 10-04-2001, 03:40 PM

Hey_Yall

In My Opinion, you should have figured out what those initials stand for by now. But that's just In My Humble Opinion.

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

FM2 · 10-04-2001, 06:39 PM

LOL Ya'll, BTW you can also ROFLMAO, but IMO I would just LOL.... [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Pilar · 10-04-2001, 11:55 PM

Good question Moby. These RSK's work really well in the Ocean. But, what about in tidewater with fish that are not as intense about feeding?

I still plug herring in the tidewater, its a tradition.

Fishing freak · 10-04-2001, 11:58 PM

I have seen these but are ignorant as to how they work. Can you adjust for the size of roll of your herring? Do they creat a small or large roll. It sure would make it easier for the less experienced fisherman ( tough to run boat in crowd and bait peoples hooks)

THE REEL HEY_YALL · 10-05-2001, 07:36 AM

Thanks guys, for a second I thought it was an abbreviation for:

If Men Had Ovaries

I thought it was just a spin-off to the "if pigs could fly" cliche'. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

ROTFLMAO -

Right Over There Frank Loves Meeting Adventurous Ovaries? [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Pilar · 10-05-2001, 12:10 PM

And if your Aunt had cojones she'd be your uncle.

garyk · 10-05-2001, 01:10 PM

For about 3 weeks now I've been looking for actual RSK's. FMS at Jantzen Meadows is out, having only a few of another brand. 'Joes doesn't seem to carry 'em. I've checked at both Garibaldi marinas -- nada. Nix at Ollie Damons.

Anyone know who might have a few of the Lg. and Med. in stock?

BTW, crabbing in Tillamook Bay is just awesome these days.

Phil Layer · 10-05-2001, 01:43 PM

They can be hard to find.

Joes usually has them. Gart Sports (in Salem) always has them. Bi-Mart doesn't stock them.

I understand you can order em off the cabela's website but haven't done it myself.

Fishing freak · 10-05-2001, 02:13 PM

I just picked up a couple at the Joes in Beaverton. They have a limited supply (red and blue no green)in both the med. and the big fin. I am pretty sure that I saw some at the new Bi-mart in Beaverton
last week. GaryK, will be fishing out of Tillamook this weekend. Are you having crabbing success in crab harbor or behind lysters?

blubeast · 10-09-2001, 02:19 PM

Why not the best of both worlds? I find the hook that come with the RSK TOO large, so remove it and re-thread with a herring rig. That way you get the extra hook and the perfect roll.

Pilar · 10-09-2001, 02:50 PM

You're on it Blubeast. This is how I do it as well. Something about that stock hook looked Canadian or something. I just had a bad feeling about using it. The 'alibi' hook trailing behind your bait takes care of those short strikers.

For additional fun, rig your mooching rigs with a chartreuse bead between the hooks. This seems to encourage repeat strikes even if the bait gets stripped. I watched coho hammer the bare rig right next to the boat this summer and they made a beeline for the chartreuse bead every time.