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I want to get into this Kokanee action that is happening at the Berry. I usually fly fish from my pontoon but I think its going to be tough to get deep enough with a fly rod. I am going to dust off the old spinning rod and give that a try.
Am I still going to have problems getting deep enough without a downrigger? Can I just long line with my spinning rod with a couple 1oz slip sinkers and get deep enough? I have a trolling motor on my kickboat that will aid with trolling. Anybody mount a small down rigger to a kick boat?
What about jigging for Kokanee?
Mark
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I would try leaded line
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Earlier in the year you can catch them near the surface, last week my brother caught a 2lb Koke right on the surface. But when it heats up they go down 30-45ft. With lead line you can get down to them, but it's somewhat of a guessing game from what I understand (I've never used leadcore). There are banana weights that can help you get down there as well that I have also heard work. But in my experience a down rigger and a motor that will get you going the right speed is the golden ticket. Love me some Kokanee fishing! It's just starting to get good! My father in law caught 15 just yesterday!
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Utah DWR hosted a kokanee seminar that detailed weight trolling for kokanee there's a YouTube video with lots of information if you can find it at their website
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I used to use my pontoon boat all the time without a downrigger.
I would use a mini-pop gearwith a BIG snap link hanging off the forward keel of the pop gear and would attach a 1-3 ounce sinker (shaped kinda like a chicken leg) to the snap. That would take it deep and keep it from twisting also. Hooked to the pop gear was a rubber snubber and finally a wedding ring spinner or a pink mini squid or hoochie tipped with a small bit of night crawler. This worked awesome for kokanees while rowing/trolling around. I could easily get 20-50 feet down depending on th weight.
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the problem your going to have is getting out to the areas of the lake that hold fish and then once you get there you will have to cover a lot of water to pick them up . it would probably better to hitch a ride on a properly equipped boat. to catch them . you may be able to find some to cast to when they start staging for the spawn I have heard they sometimes get close to some of the ramps on the soldier creek side later in the fall
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I may have to try that in my kayak sometime. I have never caught a kokanee, but would like to. Shouldn't be too hard to rig up a heavy weight as downrigger then buy or rig a line release of some sort.
I can easily troll anywhere from zero to 3 mph, if that covers the spectrum.
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Thanks for all the ideas, I'm going to give it a try and see if I can get into some. What part of the lake is going to give me the best shot at a Kokanee? I am leaning towards the Sooldier Creek side around the damm.
Mark
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go to youtube and search diy downrigger or homemade downrigger. There are some cool ideas there. I have also been getting hungry to catch the Kokes in Strawberry, but only have a canoe. It kind of freaks me out to go too far from shore, but I am hoping to tag along with someone who has a boat and can cover more water. Anyway. . .
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This is exactly what I do. I troll from a canoe or a drift boat with electric motor. Works great.
Windriver
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