Rivers & methods to bank fish for springers??

Fish_N_Russ · 03-03-2004, 09:59 PM

Ok.......I am ready, albeit a little early :smile:

Last year I only went a few times on the Santiam @ Lyons.....didnt get anything but I dont really know of any other 'good places' to bank fish there either.

I realize a boat is the way to go, but I dont have a boat and will mostly be 'bankin it'.

What rivers, both north/central coast and valley area, have decent bank access for springer fishing?? I have NEVER caught a springer (nor my wife) and want this year to be it :grin:

For me in Corvallis, the N and S Santiam Rivers are the closest......but im looking for other places not too far away. I dont think the Alsea or Siletz have springer runs (which is too bad since they are close also).

Also what are good rigs to use? Same as fall chinook? Can you use bobber and bait? Last year I drifted bait, just like steelhead but a little heavier gear. Is that as good as any?

thanks for your imput,
Russ

GOT2FISH · 03-03-2004, 10:08 PM

I've always heard the south was alot better than the north but I do know of a few folks that fish the boat ramp in Stayton and have had luck. I to am looking for the secret spot. Good luck Mike

sparkleboy · 03-03-2004, 10:37 PM

Russ,
The Siletz has a springer run, but it is so small, it is definitaly not worth it. It is so threatened, there is the chance it may be closed to salmon angling this time of year in the near future.
Both forks of the Santiams are your best bet.
I've never caught a springer either. Maybe we should try our luck together come May or June?

My guide friend suggested to me the following: shrimp, eggs, or both. Under a float or drifted, both will catch fish.

[ 03-03-2004, 11:39 PM: Message edited by: sparkleboy ]

Corkie Monster · 03-03-2004, 11:03 PM

I'm back to work durring that time of year but I hear that people do really well on the Clackamas with bobber and eggs. My brother and I did well with this method for Fall Chinook in the Trask tide water. Find a deep pool and get to it.

CM

tag-a-long · 03-04-2004, 06:20 AM

The santiam at Mehama. Walk up the bank on the lyons side to the curve. Also at John Neal park. Bobber and eggs, and fishing on the bottom with eggs... Good luck!

MuleyBuck · 03-04-2004, 06:51 AM

South Santiam is by far you best bet. I catch a lot of Springers every year on that river, just learn to deal with the crowds and you will be fine. Bobber and Eggs are the best way to go.

spinner fisher · 03-04-2004, 10:26 AM

Both the Siletz and the Alsea have springers in them, The Alsea is closed but the Siletz gets a good run,I see them alot when summer steelheading. They stop and hang out in the lower gorge and around the deadline for salmon fishing fishing at buck creek. Some times there are tons of them around the lower gorge other times I only see them at the deadline. As for the Santiam, the North gets a better run, I like to get them on #4 or #5 size spinners in silver and chartreuse, silver and black or brass and green. Springser on the move will be really aggressive in tail outs and head ins, bobber fish in the holes for fish that that are slowing down. Last note the springers on the siletz cant be fished until April 1st. The last week in april and the first two weeks in may are prime. I seem to get atleast one per trip at this time.

GOT2FISH · 03-04-2004, 02:13 PM

short hop never seen the kwik fish but they do use alot of wiggle warts.

Fish_N_Russ · 03-04-2004, 09:20 PM

Thanks for the info guys.........what # line and type of rods you normally use? I currently have a couple 8-20 medium action rods with 15# line on 5501s.....good enough?

Short Hop · 03-04-2004, 11:09 PM

I was just at John Neil park yesterday as well as the ramp in stayton. I was mostly trying to learn for springers and Im looking foward to giving it a try later in the year. I suppose bobber fishing the big swirly holes is my best bet and if thats not working I think hardwear or plunking is the next option. Does anyone try to get up on thoes big rocks around some of thoes holes and run a kwikfish? Just an Idea I was wondering about.

FEAR NO FISH! · 03-04-2004, 11:28 PM

One of the easiest fisheries for banking Springers is at the Wind River or Drano Lake. They are both in Washington though. Most people will hit the point, out from under the bridge at the Wind. Everybody there either throws vibrax spinners or Mag Warts. Alot of fish get caught that way. At Drano it is the same method. Park yourself on the bank, near the highway bridge and throw. Good luck and I hope you get your first.

tag-a-long · 03-05-2004, 06:08 AM

I use a Griggs 8' 6" 8-20 with 12 pound maxima ultragreen on the 5501. I landed over 100 last year, and tagged over thirty. You lose a few with the light line in the rocks, but its a blast.

[ 03-05-2004, 07:09 AM: Message edited by: tag-a-long ]

Fish_N_Russ · 03-05-2004, 07:20 AM

thanks tag a long, my rods are Griggs too so I have practically the same setup :smile:

5-Cents · 03-05-2004, 07:44 AM

If you got a whole day to fish try coming up and fishing the Columbia from the bank off of Sauvies Island. I have seen the bankies out fish the boats in some areas. Bank fishermen do very will on the big river for springers

brutusbuck1 · 03-05-2004, 09:45 AM

Prescott Beach up the road from Sauvie's is good too.

Big E · 03-05-2004, 10:50 AM

Anyone bank fish from Columbia City for springers?

Twitchs_Tackle · 03-05-2004, 03:53 PM

Russ, your type of rod will depend on the method you will be using. I personally have a couple rods that are in the 10-20 'md hvy' range for drifting, while I break out the "sticks" for bobbers, a longer, stiffer rod that can mend line and provide a mean hookset. The rivers you spoke of are good ones... but are a few months out still. When things heat up, I'd be more than happy to have you in the boat or bank whatever I decide to do based on the conditions. I'll be sure to let you know when I start chasing them, and help you get some gear set up.

Here is a picture checklist of sorts

1)8.5-9.5' hvy action rod
2)good reel with *preferably* braid line... floats and mends well... I use 50-80# Tuff Line XP
3)Floats (bobbers :grin: ) 1, 1.5, 2 oz are what I primarily use
4)bobber stops & beads
5)trolling sinkers (sized to match floats)
6)Good Quality Hooks!!! I use mainly 3/0 for springers (about 30" of 20-30# Maxima depending on situations)
7)a few small corkies
8)

Sandies like Marie's
and of course...
9)

Amerman Eggs :grin:

This should get ya in business!

oh yeah, I almost forgot, don't forget one of these...

Eric

[ 03-05-2004, 05:59 PM: Message edited by: Twitchs_Tackle ]

Mikeymoto · 03-05-2004, 07:30 PM

Eric tell me about the bigger fish bonker. Where can you get them and how much?
Thanks,
Mike

GOT2FISH · 03-05-2004, 07:33 PM

I like the one on the left is that the fancy one from the truck stop?

Fish_N_Russ · 03-05-2004, 07:46 PM

Eric, thanks for the pics
Im sure ill be in contact with ya, since it sounds like we might BOTH have some 'free time' during that period :grin:

Ill have to get me some of those bigger floats.......which work better the West Coast or the Thill ones?

Twitchs_Tackle · 03-05-2004, 10:49 PM

Mikeymoto & GOT2FISH, they are both actually the same size, one is just a thumbnail photo inset the other photo. They are made by Pro Motion Products, you can check them out off the Motion Marine website. I'd psot a link, but its against AUP.

Russ, don't think there is a big difference between Thill and West Coast. I like Thills jsut because of the varnished balsa look. West coasts are probably more durable. The trick with Thill is that they only post length (at least on the big ones), not the weight they will float. They are also quite expensive unless you get them at Sportsmans, then they're within about $.40.
Personal preference...