Pink Worm - Hooked and Lost One Today

RichH · 03-04-2004, 12:37 PM

Steve,

2 questions come to mind. What length worm and what size hook? I like the 3 1/2" lil thumpers and I use a 2/0 hook. If I'm paying attention when they bite :blush: and set the hook I get pretty much all of them.

GOT2FISH · 03-04-2004, 12:40 PM

Gotta agree with hooker. I have had days were I have seen that bobber go down set the hook watch it move 15 feet and then nothing. As a matter of fact last Tuesday I was jigging and had three downs with only one fish.

Dragfreedrift · 03-04-2004, 01:34 PM

I would agree with the reel-in-the-slack approach first...I usually fish plain worms under a bobber w/o a jighead....4" and 6".

SKP · 03-04-2004, 02:09 PM

RichH,

I have those lil thumpers on there you suggested, and 1/0 Sy's Gamakatsu jig heads. I had a tight line to the bobber on the fish on, with no slack on this cast, and actually felt the fish hit at the same time the bobber slammed. I had it on for just a second or two.

The one thing I'm having a hard time with is keeping the pink worm at horizontal. It is heavier than the 1/4 oz jig head, so it points up. I tried First Cast instructions on his site, but don't have it down yet. It's probably the jig heads, maybe I need different ones.

SKP

First Bite · 03-04-2004, 03:09 PM

SKP

When fishing for steelhead I usually set the hook immediately when the float dips under and like RichH, once hooked they're mine almost every time. Try a smaller section of worm. I use about 2 1/2" of a 4" worm.

Mark

RogueFisher · 03-04-2004, 03:34 PM

I second the shorter worm idea.

I like small bait or short worms for steelhead.

On the Smith River in NorCal we've been using size 2 hooks with roe and puffballs but only about a pinky-nail size chunk of roe. It's been getting the job done.

:grin:

RichH · 03-04-2004, 05:39 PM

Steve,

I'd also suggest using some of Mark's jigs with those big owner hooks. I have not lost a fish that I hooked with a First Cast jig.

Bold statement and no, I don't fish jigs a ton but when I do I have absolute confidence that if I stick the fish its mine.

Fish Hawg · 03-04-2004, 05:51 PM

I have only lost on fish on a first cast jig.
I was my falut (I was in my own little world thinking about 25# steelhead

)When I looked for my float, and it aws going up river :shocked: I tried to seend the hook home but it was too late. The fish Jumped once, then through the hook :depressed: .....Ross

David Johnson · 03-04-2004, 06:10 PM

Try the "reel 'till you feel" method. On this case it may be that the worm was too long and the fish had the tail, might try trimming down worms or jigs so they get the hook in their mouth.

I personally reel down to my bobber before setting the hook but usully not far enough to feel the fish but if my bobber goas down I'll have that fish 90% plus of the time. I usually suggest that my clients reel until they can feel the fish and then there's no doubt of a solid hook set.

SKP · 03-04-2004, 06:17 PM

Rich,

I do have some of Mark's First Cast Jigs, but gosh darn, I have got to catch one on a pink worm! I saw numerous winter steelhead caught on nightcrawlers and a corkie on the Applegate River near Grants Pass about 15 or so years ago, so this is why the pink worm has my attention. I read about it too, and it seems to be one of the go to's in BC.

I will try both next time.

Today, I fished the pink worm about 75% of the time, but switched for a while to my other pole and did the clown corkie and pink yarn set-up that Santos showed me. That set-up, I've slammed them, but not today.

But in a couple weeks, I'm switching to springers anyway, so I'll have to put it on the back burner for a couple of months.

SKP

RichH · 03-04-2004, 07:24 PM

Steve,

try the pink worm with the jig. Thats been the only way I've fished them. I prefer a white jig for use with a pink worm.

SalmonJeff · 03-04-2004, 10:20 PM

try a purple jig and pink worm. Mark's jigs are great for worms. also go with the reel and feel aproach now a days quality hooks should be so sharp that a " Barry bonds " swinging hook set should not be needed. also use a nice long rod I fish 9"6 and have gone longer that way you are takeing allot of slack out on the way up and with a soft tip should get realy nice sticks.

SKP · 03-04-2004, 11:24 PM

I've tried the pink worm under a bobber for several trips now. Today, I hooked one. My bobber disappeared quick, I had a good tight line, and actually felt the fish hit as the bobber dunked. I got a solid hook set, FISH ON.....oh no, fish off, that fast. I checked the hook, and it was razor sharp. [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

I had two other bobber downs today, but did not hook them.

I'll get one yet on the bobber/jig or pink worm.

Is it common to get several bobber downs on the jigs without hooking up? I can now think of four bobber downs this winter with the jig or pink worm, and this was the first hooked.

Usually when I bobber fish for salmon, I hook at least 80% of the downers, with probably 2/3 to the bank, but with the jig now I'm 0 for 4 on bobber downs. Maybe because it's not real bait, I don't know.

Any jig experts want to chime in on the hook up ratio for bobber downs with jigs or pink worms?

SKP

NW JET'N · 03-04-2004, 11:32 PM

I use two size 1 hooks and get about 80 percent. That is close to the same hook ups as when I use roe, sand shrimp (one hook for those) or jigs under a float. How are you rigging ol jake?

Hooker · 03-04-2004, 11:34 PM

SKP,

Here is a tip that has helped me out this year while bobber fishing with jigs: Instead of setting the hook extremley hard when the bobber goes down, simply start to reel fast. Once you get the slack out of the line and feel the weight of the fish, just give a light to medium hookset. Using this method has allowed me to keep my hook-ups around 90%.

Make sure you use a good hook on the jig and keep them sharp.

Works for me.

[ 03-04-2004, 01:14 PM: Message edited by: Hooker ]

SKP · 03-05-2004, 09:10 AM

Rich,

I'll try it!

SKP

SteelieSlammer · 03-05-2004, 09:21 AM

I am fairly new to jig fishing also but it sure makes a diffence mending your line when fishing with a 10'6" rod. You also get a nice hookset with the extra rod lenght. What size rod are you using?

Dragfreedrift · 03-05-2004, 12:50 PM

the jig/worm setup is a good one for sure...they can be super at times!

HC

deep set · 03-05-2004, 04:45 PM

Look at the Guide Shop page at the pictur eof the rigged worm they have...I don't recommend rigging it that way.

My success has been by using a bait threader and going from about and inch up from the tail all the way out the head (trim the head off to shorten the worm). Then pull the line until the hook is just sticking out the back of the worm.

Having the line run through the entire worm body keeps it flat and horizontal, and the ook is in the back end.

Just my 2cents... also use a super floater like Danny Joe's and it keeps it right up off the bottom and in thier face :smile: