[cody]

Do the small hot shots work as well for steelhead as they do Springers? I was thinking of pulling some from the guide shop down, anyone had any luck with plugs on that stretch? I usually use blue or green paterns. Any favorite you would like to share?? :food: I love catching fish on plugs and puttin my boat to good use. THANKS CODY :smash: :cheers:

 

[Steel Neurosis]

Just how small of Hot Shots are we talking? 40's, 50's?

I've used 40's with some success in super clear water with slow flows..never tried a 50 or a 70 series, but guess it could do the trick...but my thinking is that the plug is supposed to threaten or irritate the bejesssus out of the fish so he slams it...that little bitty Hot Shot ain't gonna worry him much .........but ...............well, I never say never!

Mike

 

[alwaysfishing]

Size 30 and 40 in pink!! :smash: :smash: :idea:

 

[Ryan Pultz]

I like firetiger for clear water. rp

 

[CARTMAN]

IF you do a search I did a post on this a few weeks ago. I was given alot info on size, color and brands people liked best. Lots of good info. If you can't find it let me know I should be able to locate it for you.

Cartman

 

[Amahnee]

The newest issue of STS talks about 50's for chinooks in low, clear water being a good bet.

I'm sure steelhead will be just as accepting if you get it in front of them.

Good luck! :cheers:

 

[Dragfreedrift]

Amazingly, my best steelie success on plugs has come from 1 simple pattern: silver with a fl. red bill. Hotshots in this color are consistently #1 for me and my friends who use them.

Runners up? metallic pink or the blue pirates.

Keep it simple, catch fish ( and save some $)

DFD

 

[yankemnbankem]

Are you guys using the hot shots from the bank as well as boat?

 

[CARTMAN]

I casted them from the bank the other day. Took some getting used to but alot like a bass plug. Trick is to cast to the far side of a riffle let it drift into the current then as it gets out of the fast moving water reel in. this keeps the plug under the water. I used #30's in red colors and had a nice hit monday.

cartman

 

[cody]

The springers love the 30's but I 've only caught steelhead on tad pollys because I never used Hot Shots but I guess I'll give um a try. THANKS CODY

 

[yankemnbankem]

I just picked up a fifty with a red bill chrome body with a little blue on the sides.....should work excellent in the clearer water.

 

[fishlis 1]

I can't believe that Fishin Magician hasn't spoke up he is the plug master!!!!

 

[Yamhillbilly]

try reading the mike laverty book on steelhead plugging, there is some information on hook setups. I have used hotshots from the bank with a sideplaner when there is room too....

 

[A-Boss]

My favorite clear water plug is a size 50 metallic green hotshot. Works good. Only problem is I can't find them any more :depressed:.

If you're on a non-snaggy river you can try drift fishing them. Also works good, but is kind of spendy if you start hanging up a lot.

 

[spinner53]

to get to metallic green, I start with a silver hotshot, using a green magic marker i color a small area, wait five to ten seconds and then wipe off the excess with a paper towel, mark another area, repeat. depending on your wait time, you can vary the degree of color. I then let it cure for a few days and give it a light wash with lemon joy to remove any smell ?.
I've also done this with blue and reds. :dance:

 

[cully]

great idea spinner53

 

[Uglygreen]

Brad