Any tips on salmon for this old buck?

[kawishiwi]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

I would be fishing at 30’ right now. If your using down riggers be sure to adjust for blowback based on the weight of your ball, IE an 8 lb ball set at 33’. If your using lead put out a full 6 colors fully in the water. A few feet too high or low will reduce your chances greatly. I am giving you this info based on the water temp readings I took throughout the water column over 100’ of water. Also If you have and know how to use attractors, use them! 2.2 mph works for me...

Good luck!

Dan

Dan, if you are targeting 30' would you expect fish on the depthfinder to be at 30' also or below that? IOW do you troll right into the fish level or above them?

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by kawishiwi

Dan, if you are targeting 30' would you expect fish on the depthfinder to be at 30' also or below that? IOW do you troll right into the fish level or above them?

That’s a great question, I always target the very top of the thermocline this time of year. Fish see what’s above them that is why they swim up towards their food never down. The thermocline isn’t that thick so if your fishing at the top of it, I feel your increasing your odds of more fish seeing whatever it is your presenting. The bait fish are in the thermocline and that’s where the salmon will be feeding. Sure, you may catch one on the surface during a hatch but the majority of them will be feeding in the thermocline on other bait fish. Most of those fish you see rising on calm mornings during a hatch are rainbows anyways, they don’t mind the warm water as much and they are fun to catch!

I honestly don’t use my fish finder to find or locate salmon this time of year, I use it more to see when something is in my attractors directly below the boat or to locate pods of bait fish very early in the morning. I definitely use the finder when targeting lakers though.

Dan

[Hillcountry]

Thank you! Awesome info.
Just lead core, no downriggers.
What about water depth? Can I be in 40-50-60 FOW and still fish that thermocline or am I better off trolling in the deeper troughs?
I’m such a newbie at this...I really appreciate the knowledge!

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Hillcountry

Thank you! Awesome info.
Just lead core, no downriggers.
What about water depth? Can I be in 40-50-60 FOW and still fish that thermocline or am I better off trolling in the deeper troughs?
I’m such a newbie at this...I really appreciate the knowledge!

PM sent...

Dan

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

PM sent...

Dan

PM sent back...

[BroadHopper]

I thought lead was banned because it was toxic to Loons?

[pjard]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

I thought lead was banned because it was toxic to Loons?

Those are lead sinkers. Lead core line is braided on the outside with a thin string of lead down the center. I suppose it's possible but highly unlikely any lead core line could end up in the water. The leaders most of use (not lead core) will break well before lead core line could.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

I thought lead was banned because it was toxic to Loons?

Only Lead sinkers or jigs that are 1 ounce or less is prohibited....

[farechofisherman]

Hillcountry, FYI: The tips you got from MAXUM and ishooot308 are spot on. A lot of valuable info in those posts. The only tip I would add is that at this time of year go with smaller/shorter hardware and flies. Early season salmon chase adult smelt, this time of year they are chasing young of the year smelt (yoy). See Alan for the hot short flies (single hooks) and the hardware, he's the best around. Good luck!

[Hillcountry]

Well, it was not a good day fishing (salmon wise anyway...)
No bites at all from before sunrise until I caught a dink smallie around 10am at the beginning of the broads heading toward rattlesnake from Ragged where we stopped to let the pooch run and cool off. Halfway across the broads still heading for rattlesnake, I caught a decent smallie about 2 lbs...sent him back down.
Then the same rod with a Meredith Special tandem went off and in came a short but very fat Rainbow. That was encouraging but alas the last fish caught.
Trolled all day with 6 colors out and tried 5 and 7 colors from time to time.
Fatigue was setting in by 2pm so we picked up and headed in.
Thanks for all the advice!

[farechofisherman]

Keep at it they will come, there are not too many places as beautiful as Winni to have a bad fishing day!

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by farechofisherman

Keep at it they will come, there are not too many places as beautiful as Winni to have a bad fishing day!

You got that right!

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by farechofisherman

Hillcountry, FYI: The tips you got from MAXUM and ishooot308 are spot on. A lot of valuable info in those posts. The only tip I would add is that at this time of year go with smaller/shorter hardware and flies. Early season salmon chase adult smelt, this time of year they are chasing young of the year smelt (yoy). See Alan for the hot short flies (single hooks) and the hardware, he's the best around. Good luck!

Lol last couple of times I stopped in there he wasn’t there...not sure if the “other guy” there knows his stuff...

[Hillcountry]

Finally caught some salmon!
Still fishing a full 6 colors of lead core...wasn’t sure if I should be deeper because of the heat but stuck with what has been working for rainbows.
Landed a half dozen short rainbows along with these two...a 2 year old and a fat 3 year old!
Thanks Dan! (And others that provided information)!