Improving Kwikfish landing ratio......?

Fish Hunter · 04-05-2002, 12:57 PM

OK so we know to let them bury the rod so you don't yank it out of their trap. What other fine points have you discovered for landing springers anchored with Kwikfish? Limber rods or stiff? Low stretch line or mono? Drags set tighter than you would fight the fish with or looser? Favorite scents on top of that wrap? [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

Lured In · 04-05-2002, 01:56 PM

Last year I was running a single split ring and hit one of 4. I was also a little too quick to hit the rod. This year I am running double split rings and have a 100% hook up (2 for 2). That being said, I believe there are just those days that it may not matter. I have also gone to a more limber tipped rod. I run 50 Tuff line to my spreader and 30# mono leader. As far as drag goes, i have a good starting point that will allow a 20 pounder or so to pull line if he needs a little but a 15# would have trouble moving very far. Anything much bigger that 25# and off we go to chase him down, but at least I can thumb the spool. If the drag is too tight it is much harder to back off.

My secret sauce, (it's neither secret nor a sauce, but it sounds good

) can be bought at the store and I know few people who use it consistently for springers. My logic is to offer something mostly similar but a just a little different than the other 500 Kfish with sardine wraps they go by.

That's my two cents (or less depending

Rusty · 04-05-2002, 02:26 PM

One idea you may want to consider is placing a barrel swivel on the rear split ring and crimping an adequate siwash hook to the free end of the barrel swivel.

The theory here is that the fish will not be able to "pivot" the treble hook, using the resistance as a lever, The siwash will simply spin as the fish twist and turns to free the hook.

This is an old Alaskan trick and I swear by it.

Rusty

Fish Hunter · 04-05-2002, 02:28 PM

Thanks LI. I've had some success with anise sticky liquid this year on prawns (trolling). Had 2 fish grab it hard seconds after it was put in. At least it didn't drive them away!

Drachir · 04-05-2002, 03:24 PM

All you need to do is replace the standard hooks with Owners. I have a friend who has gone 9 for 9 with Owners on his Kwikfish. I replaced most of them so far, and it's cost me about $30.

K-14 #1 Owners
K-15 #1/0 Owners
K-16 #2/0 Owners

They are not cheap, but they are good!!

Pilar · 04-05-2002, 03:30 PM

The wild I got into yesterday was headed back to sea. I couldn't really see through Ray to watch my pole and only the buzzing drag clued me that I was bit. When I did see it the fish had it buried and the rod was bucking. Every bite I've seen so far has been a bury and burn the reel.

I think drag setting is the key. For saltwater salmonoids I put the click on and I set the drag just heavy enough to keep the line on the reel while trolling. That's how I set it yesterday.

My kwikfish was modified. Owner treble in front about the size of the original and a smaller Gammy treble on a pair of split rings and a barrel swivel in the back. Giz hated my 5 bead chain in the back so I changed it. Right after that I got bit, thanks Giz. The other thing we played with is a small square of the 'hook' side of velcro. Just stick it to the bottom of your plug in front of the front hook eye. Then grind in some sardine filet and go. It seems to last 20 minutes or more.

There is no substitute for sharp hooks!

This array of weapons had the fishes mouth sewn shut so the fight was only good for a minute and then she came right to the boat.

Oh, the line is 30 ande clear with 40 mono leader. Bait Boy and the guys were talking about 50 or even 60 mono leader on a kwikfish. As the FNG I listened politely and thought they were yanking me. Then the dog started yarking up socks and I don't remember much after that. I was traumatized.....

Thumper · 04-05-2002, 04:14 PM

.....yarking.....

Marvelous word!

Fish Hunter · 04-05-2002, 06:42 PM

"Yarking", synonymous with "horking".

I am sold on those Owners but have resisted taking the new ones off before their bent or blunt...that may change. The barrel swivel idea makes sense too. Thanks guys.
We have had some bites that peel lane and still get off.

And thats with sharp hooks.

04-05-2002, 06:46 PM

Run spinners instead. [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img] :grin:

Fish Hunter · 04-05-2002, 07:06 PM

Geez I just got over fishing strictly herring!

Got a favorite spinner suggestion for slower water? I've been trolling your prawn setup ****** with a #5 blade with success, do you have a favorite setup on for slower water when anchored? Same rig?

Keep those Kwikfish ideas coming!

[ 04-05-2002, 08:07 PM: Message edited by: Fish Hunter ]

Mojo · 04-05-2002, 08:44 PM

I average 9 landed out of 10 hooked on K-Fish last yrear. My secret is ....

A. Gamakatsu Trebles.

B. Diamond hook hone.

C. Fish faster water.

D. Gamakatsu hooks!!!

E. Let the rod bury a few times before picking it up.

F. Good bait strips.

I know Owners are sharp, and I'm not gonna get into a urinary olympics over brands, VMC, Gammy's, Owners, etc. all rule! My point is use good hooks, and really keep them sharp.

As for faster water, I look down river from the reach I normally fish, and see guys in the slack losing fish. I look at the other boats around me, and they normally only lose fish due to line breaks. My "honey hole" runs pretty quick, and I troll at about 3.5 mph, still sliding backwards.

That is my .02

Mojo

rags · 04-05-2002, 09:45 PM

I was fishing the Columbia today in a hog line and saw at least 10 fish hit kwikfish hard and lost due to people setting the hook to fast. I know it is difficult but the rule of not touching the pole until it goes down three times works. You have to wait or you will lose the fish. I was 2 for 2. One native and one hatchery.

bullhead · 04-06-2002, 03:31 AM

Thanks for the Kwikfish tips.
As far as waiting to set the hook, yeah it's always tough to wait, but it's a must until the fish is clearly "on". I also believe in feeding line to the fish during and immediately after a strike....leave the pole in the holder and strip 4-5 pulls out immediately after the intial hit. This will give the bait an appearance of being injured. In my opiniom, that rule appies to all Salmon, but it's especially key to hooking Chinook.....Keep the pole steady as you strip line. If you're holding the pole, it also helps to "walk" your pole back to the fish, while your stripping line, giving the same effect to the bait...hope that helps.

That, using sharp hooks, and wearing your hat with a tilt are the keys. :smile:

[ 04-06-2002, 04:34 AM: Message edited by: bullhead ]

FishinMission · 04-06-2002, 06:32 PM

For me..I'd have to say................ SHARPEN YOUR HOOKS!!!!!

I don't care what kind of hooks you use, whether they're brand new...or whatever...
Make sure they're damn SHARP. New ...out of the package doesn't get it on my rods.

Mark