Hootchie Update

Mark Mc · 06-09-2003, 05:26 PM

A while back I was talking about hootchie patterns & part numbers. Well, some things have changed. I was on the phone for a while today with Seattle Marine, trying to match up hootchie patterns with early part numbers. Turns out that because of the boom / bust cycle of commercial salmon trolling, there are only a few manufacturers left. Most of my favorites listed in this post

chinook primer

are not available via the same manufacturers. Hundreds of patterns used to be made by Golden Bait, Luhr Jensen, and North Pacific. Now most hootchies are only made by Yamashita and Yo Zuri. The new ones are all in 5 packs. If you see 10 packs, that's the clue it's old stock.

I did order some new ones under new part numbers. Once I get them, and as I learn more, I'll post an updated list of part numbers that are actually available. And to those few Salty Dogs to whom I gave several of my old killer patterns, you best not lose them 'cause that's the last of them!

Your Hootchie-Kootchie man....M Mc

Orca · 06-09-2003, 08:49 PM

Does Radiant make their own? As seen here: Radiant Hootchies

Mark Mc · 06-09-2003, 09:22 PM

Thanks for that Mark, I forgot about them. And I just bought some Radiants this spring! They seem to have mostly their own set of patterns, few that are similar to the early ones I'm looking for. That "autumn leaf" is a good one; and that "goldfinger" is good for coho.

Mark Mc · 06-10-2003, 07:08 PM

Is this the symbol for gullible [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img] ? The person I spoke with at Seattle Marine may have given me a little line of bull when he said "no more Golden Bait Co hootchies." Today I discovered a company in BC that told me "sure, Golden Bait is still in business, and we're their distributor." I ordered a bunch, and once I actually have them in my hands and verified that they're the real thing, I'll post the company info. The prices are way, way better than Englunds or Seattle Marine (assuming the product is as they claim).

WP · 06-10-2003, 10:13 PM

Thanks Mark...maybe a bulk order would be a good thing. I know that hoochie colors change over time (at least the best working ones do) Once we have a couple of good colors, maybe an order and split could be done. I would enjoy trying new baits...I usually do it randomly and get the predictable results...the ones that catch fisherman and not fish. I would be happy to gobble up a few of each recommended color.
WP

Slugranch · 06-11-2003, 05:24 AM

I've found the best hootchies and prices on Ebay. There are sellers that go by Superflea, and Tyeeman that have great pricing and a very large selection. A lot better than I can do at Englunds, and I buy at industrial prices there. Just bought some "Army Trucks" from Tyeeman, and should be getting them any day now,,,,,,,

Orca · 06-11-2003, 08:22 AM

Seems that as I do a web search, "Golden Bait" and "Yamashita" and "GoldStar" are used together as if they are one and the same. Even Seattle Marine has a link to "Golden Bait Hoochies" which when selected, shows hoochies in Yamashita or GoldStar packaging.

Is Golden Bait Co. a truly different company, and is this the place in Canada you are looking at - Nikka Industries ?

Mark Mc · 06-11-2003, 09:32 AM

OK Orca, you let the cat out of the bag. Yes it is Nikka Industries that I was referring to as the Golden Bait distributor in British Columbia. I just wanted to wait and see what I actually get before promoting them. Both Seattle Marine and Englunds sell mostly Yamashita in the 5 pack, for between $4. & $5. a pack, which is close to robbery if you ask me. The Golden Bait brand has the widest selection, stuff you can't get in Yamashita. Also, the standard Golden Bait package has 10 hoochies in it, at about the same price as a 5 pack Yamashita.

Slugranch mentioned "superflea' on e-bay. I have bought from them mostly just to see what their product looked like, as it was easy to win an auction for very cheap. IMHO superflea's product line is very narrow. It's the same batch of 10 or 15 patterns they are trying to get rid of. I do like a few of the blues, and the greens with clear bellies. Also, their needlfish makes a good teaser or insert. But they do not have what I would consider the very best, proven patterns for down here such as purple haze, or baby bocaccio, etc. One other thing about the superflea stuff: the packages have no label, so there's no model number to reference.

Like WP said, some hoochies catch fishermen, me included. I'll try some new patterns, or ones similar to something I know works. Maybe sometimes, like when the silvers are biting like wild dogs, it doesn't matter what you throw at them.

[ 06-11-2003, 10:36 AM: Message edited by: Mark Mc ]

Orca · 06-11-2003, 09:41 AM

Sorry, I jumped the gun on Nikka. I am definitely over-anxious to get some good chinook gear rigged up.

I will wait till you get the goods and then get the preferred part numbers once you figure they have the right stuff.

[ 06-11-2003, 11:12 AM: Message edited by: Orca ]

Rodbender · 06-11-2003, 09:47 AM

I've done business with Nikka for many years now-always been treated well and they haven't given up the Commercial Trolling business which makes their product range so much greater-I was in there Sunday in fact.

John James/Hootchy.com/Tyee Tackle.com/SuperFlea and all the rest are just fronts for moving cheap imported skirts from Asia.

Some of the colours are ok but as mentioned it's a narrow product range and quality is so/so.

Mark Mc · 06-11-2003, 10:14 AM

Hi Rodbender - very, very interesting comments you have there. You are validating my heretofore unmentioned suspicions about the product I got from superflea (no label on package). One thing I did not mention was that some of superflea's stuff has a cheap plastic stink to it, and the hoochies are kind of gummy & stick together. Very different from the finish & feel of the other name brands.

You say you were just at their (Nikka) store... do you live up near the border? I'd love to visit in person to see the selection, also for the plugs because the tomic numbers are so screwed up.

Thanks for your insights... MM

Slugranch · 06-11-2003, 08:01 PM

I guess I must live a pretty sheltered life down here on the beach, but I use the canadian "cheap" ones and they seem to work for me. I do soak em in a little special sauce before I use em tho.

Mark Mc · 06-11-2003, 08:24 PM

Funny you should say that, SlugR...I was wondering if that plastic stink might be appealing to halibut!! Better living (& fishing) through chemistry :grin:

So can I assume that you use a fish or crustacean - based marinade?

kenai · 06-11-2003, 08:44 PM

I stuff the hootchie head with cotton instead of an egg sinker and dose the cotton in my favorite stink flavor.

Rodbender · 06-11-2003, 09:48 PM

I see that I don't have where I live in my profile-I'm in Vancouver BC so it's just a 30 minute drive to Nikka in Steveston which is in southern Richmond-a suburb of Vancouver and even closer to the border.

If/when you get a chance to visit Nikka make sure one of the Senior guys (they aren't that old but have a helluva lotta experience) are going to be around-ask for Mike, Calvin or Wayne.

Also close by (10-15 minutes away) is Berry's Bait and Tackle http://www.berrysbait.com if you're going to come all that way make sure to check them out as well.

GutZ · 06-11-2003, 11:29 PM

Nice Link Orca! Thank You.

Mark Mc · 06-12-2003, 07:27 AM

Rodbender: You have mail. - Mark