Northwest Fishing Reports

First post, i've been browsing this site for a couple of weeks and finally decided to join. Any suggestions on getting some SM from the docks at Coulon? Any input is appreciated.

Dropshotting would do the trick...

THanks for joining up, good to see the lurkers signing up and becoming part of the board...

yep, get some snipers, nose hook em on a size 4 gamikatsu dropshot hook and pound those docks and hope you get one...of any size. cranks work sometimes too, perch pattern in there seems to work best.i'd try by ivars first (the little finger piers), and then move over to the platform on the opposite side of the "bay" (north).

CK14 wrote:yep, get some snipers, nose hook em on a size 4 gamikatsu dropshot hook and pound those docks and hope you get one...of any size. cranks work sometimes too, perch pattern in there seems to work best.i'd try by ivars first (the little finger piers), and then move over to the platform on the opposite side of the "bay" (north).

Now I feel dumb. What are snipers?

Anthony, go to the features page on this site for a good article on drop shotting. It was written by IslandBass and it's a well crafted piece.

Don't feel the need to stick to a dropshot though - all the lk WA anglers will talk your ear off about dropshotting all day long but its not the only way to catch fish there - esp if you're like me and cant stand drop shotting for very long. (not bashing DS mind you, for the deep clear likes like WA its a go-to - I just hate it :P).

Roll some spinnerbaits by the dock pilings. Drop a jig or some trigged plastics. Fish diving cranks. Heck try some topwater. Don't get stuck with one rig!

Sniper lures, they make sniper snubs and bolts, another lake WA dropshot staple bait.
http://www.sniperlures.com/

cavdad45 wrote:

CK14 wrote:yep, get some snipers, nose hook em on a size 4 gamikatsu dropshot hook and pound those docks and hope you get one...of any size. cranks work sometimes too, perch pattern in there seems to work best.i'd try by ivars first (the little finger piers), and then move over to the platform on the opposite side of the "bay" (north).

Now I feel dumb. What are snipers?

Anthony, go to the features page on this site for a good article on drop shotting. It was written by IslandBass and it's a well crafted piece.

Cav,

Sniper is a local lure company that makes one of the best drop shot baits that I have ever used for drop shotting. The two main soft plastics I use at Sniper SNUBS and to a lesser extent, the Sniper Bolts. They almost look the same and I really can't tell the difference. However, the Snubs come in packs of 20 and Bolts in 12 for the same price. This is why I go with the snubs. They are reminiscent of a skinny french fry type bait. OE and Auburn Marine are the only two places I know that carry them in the Seattle and south king area.

They do not look like much, and their effectiveness on smallies is astounding.

im pretty sure there's more then 12 in a pack off bolts, not sure though
and if you can find them, get some KGM slinkys or little frys. AMAZING!!!
oh, and don't worry to much about color, i have 5 different types of snipers and KGM and they all work in the big lake

CK14 wrote:im pretty sure there's more then 12 in a pack off bolts, not sure though
and if you can find them, get some KGM slinkys or little frys. AMAZING!!!
oh, and don't worry to much about color, i have 5 different types of snipers and KGM and they all work in the big lake

Island bass is right, I just bought some the other day, at least one sells them in 12 and the other 20.

The success of drop shotting speaks for itself whether you like it or not, IT WORKS!!!! Be patient though and GO SLOW. Try giving yourself an extra long leader, say around 18 - 24" from the drop shot to the hook.

Small tiger cranks also work on Lk. Wa.

Good luck and Welcome to the family, we're glad you joined us. You'll find a lot of good advice and even better people here.

Bassackwards

Good luck at fishing Coulon. I can't recall catching a fish over 2 lbs off the docks all year. It used to be good in the past, with fish over 3 lbs regularly.

thanks for all the replies guys, ill probably head to Coulon tomorrow and give dropshotting a try and let you guys know how it goes.

bassackwards wrote:Try giving yourself an extra long leader, say around 18 - 24" from the drop shot to the hook.

interesting, i almost never go over 12" on my leaders. that just proves you really can't fish a dropshot wrong :albino:

CK14 wrote:

bassackwards wrote:Try giving yourself an extra long leader, say around 18 - 24" from the drop shot to the hook.

interesting, i almost never go over 12" on my leaders. that just proves you really can't fish a dropshot wrong :albino:

I hear you on the leader length. As for me, because I don't fish from a boat, I keep it about or just under 18", reason being I am casting out a distance away from me and working it back. The longer leader is a must to help keep the lure off the bottom with the shallower angle I am fishing. If I were to fish more vertically, my leader would shorten accordningly, much closer to 12" if not less.

But 24"? Man there must be some really tall grass or some serious megacasting!:cheers: I am sure it would work at 24" but castibility might be somewhat diminished, and perhaps a nightmare with a casting rig.:batman:

I'd use a 36" leader if I could...I'd look like one of those saltwater guys throwing heavy lead with HUUUUGE rods...LOL

CK14 wrote:

bassackwards wrote:Try giving yourself an extra long leader, say around 18 - 24" from the drop shot to the hook.

interesting, i almost never go over 12" on my leaders. that just proves you really can't fish a dropshot wrong :albino:

me too, I never go pass 12".