Steelhead plugs
There was a thread a week ago or so that asked about the best steelhead plug.
I use all kinds: #30 & 40 Hot Shots, Wigle Warts, Tadpollys, Kwikfish, Flatfish, Bagleys.....
I don't think there can be just one. Every conditon and warrents a different plug.
I choose my plugs first ccording to depth and then current speed. The shallower and or faster the water is the smaller the plug's bill.
When choosing color I match the plug color to the water conditions. The old rule of thumb about dark colors on dark days bright colors(silver) on brigth days. When I say silver I usually mean silver with another accent color such as red, green or blue. In real dirty water the florescent colors also come into play.
There has also been a lot of discussion about hooks on plugs. I have pretty much tried them all and it seams to me that if you're meant to loose a fish then you're going to loose it no mater what hooks you have on. My favorite are Gamikatsu, either in siwash or treable. Sharp hooks are a must.
When running plugs (or diver and bait) heavy line is a must. Even 12# will not cut it. Nothing under 15 and 20 is the standerd. Sure you can use less but chances of loosing a fish and/or plug are greater. I've been running 50# Power Pro or TUF line and then a 20# leader fr several years now and even in the clearest of water I have never seen it hinder the bite. The fish is looking at it from behind and besides, if he is going to hit that big, odd looking creature he isn't going to care about the line. I have not broken off a fish plug fishing in years. When I fish Kwikfish for salmon I always run 50 to 80 pound leaders.
One last thing, don't be too trigger happy. Let the fish take down your rod until it's "flat". No mater how hard he is hitting on it let him hit until there is no more throbbing of the rod.
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