Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Fishing => Member Fishing Reports and Photos => Topic started by: Keta on May 29, 2020, 01:51:38 PM

Title: Kokanee Fishing
Post by: Keta on May 29, 2020, 01:51:38 PM
I had to deliver a sheet of aluminum to a friend and met him 1/2 way between our homes, it just happened to be at Odell Lake.  We spent the day on  unusually calm water casting jigs.  The fishing was slow but we ended up with 28 fish.   It was good to get back on the water even if it was not the ocean.
Title: Re: Kokanee Fishing
Post by: David Hall on May 29, 2020, 02:01:50 PM
Kokanee is a fun fishery, I fish them at New Melones now and then. trolling a "wedding ring" tipped with a kernel of corn.
Title: Re: Kokanee Fishing
Post by: Gobi King on May 29, 2020, 02:03:52 PM
Lee,
Nice, how big do they get?

How did you fish for them?

David, what is a wedding ring?
Title: Re: Kokanee Fishing
Post by: Keta on May 29, 2020, 02:21:41 PM
They can get up to a few pounds but average much smaller, we got several in the 15"-16" range but some as small as 8".

We were using 2/4 and 1/2 ounce Gibs Minnows, a mini "iron".

A Wedding Ring is a small telling spinner.

Title: Re: Kokanee Fishing
Post by: xjchad on May 29, 2020, 03:15:57 PM
I have a lot of great memories trolling for kokanee with my Grandpa in the lakes of northern Idaho!
I remember using Ford Fenders, wedding rings and corn.  I miss that!
Title: Re: Kokanee Fishing
Post by: Hardy Boy on May 29, 2020, 03:45:58 PM
fun to fish for, not much fight, soft mouths  but ................................... oh so tasty !! I have never jigged for them that sounds fun. Nothing like a long willow leaf to really bring out the fight in a 10 incher ! :D


Cheers:

Todd
Title: Re: Kokanee Fishing
Post by: Crow on May 29, 2020, 03:52:50 PM
Sounds like fun, Lee !
Title: Re: Kokanee Fishing
Post by: Bryan Young on May 29, 2020, 09:14:00 PM
Quote from: Keta on May 29, 2020, 01:51:38 PM
I had to deliver a sheet of aluminum to a friend and met him 1/2 way between our homes, it just happened to be at Odell Lake.  We spent the day on  unusually calm water casting jigs.  The fishing was slow but we ended up with 28 fish.   It was good to get back on the water even if it was not the ocean.

I want to do that.  The you jig, are you on a boat or from shore?
Title: Re: Kokanee Fishing
Post by: Keta on May 30, 2020, 01:57:20 AM
I took my 14" flatbottom boat.  Come up when they let you out.

I troll with a verity of inline spinners I tie on the water, small spin and glows, and small hoochis behind a variety of 4" dodgers.
Title: Re: Kokanee Fishing
Post by: Ron Jones on May 30, 2020, 05:03:47 AM
We'll be down there in July, will the season still be open? I'd like to get the girls on a fish.
Ron Jones
Title: Re: Kokanee Fishing
Post by: Newell Nut on May 30, 2020, 09:55:25 AM
Any size fish is exciting on the right rod. A couple years ago when I was in Nevada I had a blast catching trout on a little light rod which was very exciting.
Title: Re: Kokanee Fishing
Post by: Keta on May 30, 2020, 01:00:48 PM
I picked up a pair of Penn Battle II BTLII 1000 reels spooled with 30# PP Depthhunter Spectra and  Fenwic Elitetech ETW63ML-XSF rods that work well for jigging.  I troll with Shimano Calcutta  51 and Curado 201 reels on a variety of Lamaglass rods.


Quote from: Ron Jones on May 30, 2020, 05:03:47 AM
We'll be down there in July, will the season still be open? I'd like to get the girls on a fish.
Ron Jones

Most lakes do not close and all are open in July.  Odell or Crescent will be the best choices and are 90 miles north.  Lake of the Woods is 30 miles but has few fish and 6-8 inches is about as big as they get.
July is mostly trolling on Odell but early morning is still productive for "iron".  1/4-1/2 ounce pink, pink/white, orange and orange/white are good colors.
Title: Re: Kokanee Fishing
Post by: steelhead_killer on May 30, 2020, 05:08:40 PM
Smoked, canned kok! 

Mmm
Title: Re: Kokanee Fishing
Post by: foakes on May 30, 2020, 05:44:26 PM
Far from being knowledgeable, or an expert on Kokanee fishing like Lee, and many others on here -- but here are some riggings that I have used successfully.

Generally use an Okuma Kokanee 7.5' noodle rod and Penn "9's" --

Have a guy who makes gear for the local shops here in Central California -- who I do reel work for.  We trade my work for his Kokanee trolling rigs.

His gear is specialized for Kokanee -- but I and my friends have found it equally effective for Rainbows and Browns.

Our closest Kokanee fisheries are Shaver Lake & Huntington Lake.

Always have these attractors and dodgers on board when hitting the local lakes when trolling for trout.

Getting the boat ready this weekend, finally picked up my fishing license, and also the '21 registration for the boat.

Getting ready to start hitting some of the lakes on the Eastern and Western slopes of the Sierras.  

Be good to get out with Sue, the camper and boat, and our new dog, Spud.

Social distancing in our family is a well-stocked camper, Rib-Eyes, a ready boat, good gear, some books, fresh air and generally a location 7000' or higher.  We always have the day packs for a few good hikes.

Best,

Fred
Title: Re: Kokanee Fishing
Post by: Dominick on May 30, 2020, 06:42:21 PM
Did I miss a post about Spud?  Dominick
Title: Re: Kokanee Fishing
Post by: Keta on May 31, 2020, 12:40:56 AM
Looks like Shasta Tackle gear Fred.  We (Lip Ripper Tackle) use "Sling Blades" but we get them bulk from the same place Shasta gets them.  Most of what I troll for a lure are 2 hooks inline spinners with a small green or orange bead or two and a small spinner blade, brass, hammered brass, chrome and hammered chrome.  Bill (Lip Ripper)  brings his packaged lures but I usually tie them up on the water.  I also use trolling spoons like the larger Canadian Wonder with the hooks removed for dodgers.   We also have dodgers on the downrigger balls.

(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/1583_30_05_20_6_02_13.jpeg)

(https://alantani.com/gallery/32/1583_30_05_20_6_04_00.jpeg)
Title: Re: Kokanee Fishing
Post by: Maxed Out on May 31, 2020, 01:24:57 AM

Nice !!