Northwest Fishing Reports

after spending the past week at Banks Lake. I've been hit by the bass bug. I was mainly using my trout gear, until a gentlemen offered me a jig and grub. Even though I was doing relatively well with my trout gear for bass, the jig and grub worked very well. Lost it in the rocks by the end of the day though.

I usually fish for trout and panfish. Skipped bass all together, bc I just didnt have good access to areas. With this experience, I'm going to start to try and target the local bass at Coulon, instead of perch.

So the gf and I went down to Sportsman Warehouse and Sportco to grab a few items. Wasnt really sure of what to get.

I grabbed a box of Owner's Football 1/8oz jig hooks.
Some Gamakastsu 1/8oz round jig hooks.
Gamakastsu 1/16oz tube head jig hooks.
Powerbait 2" Power Grub (Black)
Powerbait 3" Sabertail Bug ( Pump Seed)
Kalin's 3" Lunker Grubs ( Black Hologram, and Green-Pump/Purple)
Kalin's 2" Triple Threat Grub (Lemon Meringue)
Gary Yamamoto 3" Chub Tube (Watermelon w/ red flakes)
Gitzit 2.5" Tubes (Smoke w/ flakes)
A couple of Strike Kings Bitsy Bug

I have a couple of small lipless rattling cranks also that I've been trying out for trout.


This evening, we went down to Coulon for a couple of hrs to try our luck. Got snucked around the docks. No bites. We mainly threw jigs and grubs.

Advice?

Sounds like you picked out some good stuff. I would definately pick up some senkos. They are great for anyone starting to bass fish due to their ease of use and the fact that they just plain work! Not only are they good for anyone starting to bass fish but you will find them in every bass fisherman's tackle and usually on the end of a pole or two. Just one item I think is a must for anyone starting out because they can get you some bass under your belt in a hurry.

Gone Fishin wrote:Sounds like you picked out some good stuff. I would definately pick up some senkos. They are great for anyone starting to bass fish due to their ease of use and the fact that they just plain work! Not only are they good for anyone starting to bass fish but you will find them in every bass fisherman's tackle and usually on the end of a pole or two. Just one item I think is a must for anyone starting out because they can get you some bass under your belt in a hurry.

What exactly are senkos? Are they just any type of plastic worm? I have some Gary Yam. 3" worms. They are purple, with flakes in it. They are thick and stiff. Well, not stiff, but not very soft.

They are the Gary Yamamoto Yamasenkos. 5" is a good size. The Yum Dingers are very close to the same thing and cheaper.

Gone Fishin wrote:They are the Gary Yamamoto Yamasenkos. 5" is a good size. The Yum Dingers are very close to the same thing and cheaper.

But isnt 5" a bit big for the small sized bass here in the wet side?:-"

Also, dont really want to update my hardware at the moment. I'll be using my trout rod. G Loomis GL3+Shimano FI2500. Oh yes, I need to mention. I'm limited to shore access. No boat.

FishingFool wrote:

Gone Fishin wrote:They are the Gary Yamamoto Yamasenkos. 5" is a good size. The Yum Dingers are very close to the same thing and cheaper.

But isnt 5" a bit big for the small sized bass here in the wet side?:-"

Also, dont really want to update my hardware at the moment. I'll be using my trout rod. G Loomis GL3+Shimano FI2500. Oh yes, I need to mention. I'm limited to shore access. No boat.

5" senkos are not too big for small bass or perch.

bassmasterderek wrote:

FishingFool wrote:

Gone Fishin wrote:They are the Gary Yamamoto Yamasenkos. 5" is a good size. The Yum Dingers are very close to the same thing and cheaper.

But isnt 5" a bit big for the small sized bass here in the wet side?:-"

Also, dont really want to update my hardware at the moment. I'll be using my trout rod. G Loomis GL3+Shimano FI2500. Oh yes, I need to mention. I'm limited to shore access. No boat.

5" senkos are not too big for small bass or perch.

Those must be some large perchs. I cant see any perch under 10" grabbing those.

Anyways, best way to fish the senkos? C-rig? T-rig? Weightless? Drop shot?

Oh yes, I'm currently spooled up with 4# Trilene 100% FC. I like how it's so supple and casts like a dream with my light trout lures.

Should I upgrade to a higher #? 6-8#? I hate to lose casting distance, since I'm stuck on shore.

FishingFool wrote:

bassmasterderek wrote:

FishingFool wrote:But isnt 5" a bit big for the small sized bass here in the wet side?:-"

Also, dont really want to update my hardware at the moment. I'll be using my trout rod. G Loomis GL3+Shimano FI2500. Oh yes, I need to mention. I'm limited to shore access. No boat.

5" senkos are not too big for small bass or perch.

Those must be some large perchs. I cant see any perch under 10" grabbing those.

Anyways, best way to fish the senkos? C-rig? T-rig? Weightless? Drop shot?

Oh yes, I'm currently spooled up with 4# Trilene 100% FC. I like how it's so supple and casts like a dream with my light trout lures.

Should I upgrade to a higher #? 6-8#? I hate to lose casting distance, since I'm stuck on shore.

t-rig or weightless are best ways to fish Senkos. For bass 4# line won't cut it you need at least a very strong 6# line I like 8-12# but some times 12 isn't enough bass get to cover fast once hooked you need stopping power

FishingFool wrote:

Gone Fishin wrote:They are the Gary Yamamoto Yamasenkos. 5" is a good size. The Yum Dingers are very close to the same thing and cheaper.

But isnt 5" a bit big for the small sized bass here in the wet side?:-"

Also, dont really want to update my hardware at the moment. I'll be using my trout rod. G Loomis GL3+Shimano FI2500. Oh yes, I need to mention. I'm limited to shore access. No boat.

First, let me say congratulations on being bitten by the bass bug. Coulon can be very tough be smallies can be had there. The next time you're there, target the boating area about halfway between Ivars and the Boat Launch. There are rocks (aka rip rap) that can hold some smallies.

You know, my ankle is broken, but coulon seems like a place I can at least do some fishing. Thanks!

This is one common misperception non bass anglers have. Bass, even small ones, are very capaable of scarfing down 5" senkos.



That is about a 6" roboworm that I was using to target bigger smallies. The little guy is almost as big as the lure! I have also caught 4.5" largemouth on 5" senkos. Dink master! :cyclopsan

I think the senkos is the most over rated worm on the market. Yes it catches fish but there are so many other worms out there that catch fish. Zoom makes some very good baits and don't forget about Power baits plastics and my fave Culprits I have caught all my biggest fish on Culprits from 7.5-12in. And if you want to use light line go with braided or you will never see the big one, that got away. But thats just me.

With the hot summer months coming up, you'll soon come to love topwater bassin'. Go to Walmart and pickup a few of their $1 buzzbaits. Nothing compares to the excitement of watching a bass explode into a topwater lure. And when that happens, hang on!

FishingFool wrote:
Oh yes, I'm currently spooled up with 4# Trilene 100% FC. I like how it's so supple and casts like a dream with my light trout lures.

Should I upgrade to a higher #? 6-8#? I hate to lose casting distance, since I'm stuck on shore.

Best bet would be to purchase a rod/reel just for bassin'. Joes usually has a nice combo on sale, in the $35 range. Good place to start and won't break the bank. I bought one there a few weeks back for $50 and it's since become my #1 spinning combo for bass. One of these days I'll graduate up to a baitcaster hehe....

When it comes to line strength, you'll get a lot of different suggestions. I fish a lot of heavy cover for bass (pads, grass, downed trees) so I use 20# Fireline. Some guys swear by heavy fluorocarbon lines, up to 40# and higher. It's all a matter of preference and what you like. But if you're fishing from shore, forget about casting distance - focus on fishing structure closer to the shore, use heavier line, and you'll catch bigger fish. Big bass can almost always be found close to shore if you target structure. The key to catching bass (unlike trout sometimes) isn't to cover a lot of water, it's to focus on the areas that should hold bass. More often than not, those areas WILL hold bass if you're patient enough to present your lure properly and brave enough to lose a few by throwing into the heavy structure.

And since you're relatively close to me, shoot me a PM sometime and I'll take you out one day for some shore fishing

If you ever want to hit up Lake Tapps, I can show you some great shore access, but right now, it is slow from the shore there. With this weatherm the water is heating up. 65 degrees in some places thim morning compared to 56 degrees last weekend. The fish are still all confused with the weather and I was catching fish in water from 3-28 feet deep. I can probably make room for you in my boat if you want....just an offer. :geek:

As far as color goes:

Pumpkin
watermelon's
Smoke blue
Blue Pearl/silver flake

All have been very productive for me this year

Trent Hale wrote: And if you want to use light line go with braided or you will never see the big one, that got away. But thats just me.

agree 100%. most times fishing is use the smallest line you can get away with. For me bass fishing is use the biggest line you can get away with. Last year i saw 2 people get their line broke by what would have been the biggest bass they ever caught because they were using 6 lb. Don't let this happen to you. Just about every lake that has bass in it around here has many fish over 5 lbs, and if you hook into one, 4 lb test is going to last about 4 seconds. Bass have very rough areas like sandpaper inside their lips that will shred line and go right through smaller line, and it seems like the bigger ones know just what to do to put the most pressure on your line, whether it's wrapping around a dock or diving straight down with all their might right at the boat.

This year I haven't been throwing anything lighter than 14 lb test, and I have the drags on my reels more or less turned off. Bigger line = less stretch = way better hook sets, plus you can really horse those fish out of some nasty stuff if you need to. you try and set the hook on a big bass at the end of a long cast with light line and shes going to laugh and spit your bait right out. obviously it's not how everyone does it, but it's been working pretty good for me. I'm not really interested in a lengthy, epic battle to get the fish to the boat. I'm more about holding that bass up to get a nice picture and getting her back in the water nice and fresh.

Nik wrote:

Trent Hale wrote: And if you want to use light line go with braided or you will never see the big one, that got away. But thats just me.

agree 100%. most times fishing is use the smallest line you can get away with. For me bass fishing is use the biggest line you can get away with. Last year i saw 2 people get their line broke by what would have been the biggest bass they ever caught because they were using 6 lb. Don't let this happen to you. Just about every lake that has bass in it around here has many fish over 5 lbs, and if you hook into one, 4 lb test is going to last about 4 seconds. Bass have very rough areas like sandpaper inside their lips that will shred line and go right through smaller line, and it seems like the bigger ones know just what to do to put the most pressure on your line, whether it's wrapping around a dock or diving straight down with all their might right at the boat.

This year I haven't been throwing anything lighter than 14 lb test, and I have the drags on my reels more or less turned off. Bigger line = less stretch = way better hook sets, plus you can really horse those fish out of some nasty stuff if you need to. you try and set the hook on a big bass at the end of a long cast with light line and shes going to laugh and spit your bait right out. obviously it's not how everyone does it, but it's been working pretty good for me. I'm not really interested in a lengthy, epic battle to get the fish to the boat. I'm more about holding that bass up to get a nice picture and getting her back in the water nice and fresh.

There are definitely two schools of thought when it comes to line preference, and each can back up their choices. I prefer to go as light as possible, but there are always exceptions. Heavy cover is one of those exceptions.

FF, maybe we can work out a deal for a "starter kit".I was cleaning the garage today (again) and I'm totally out of storage space! I've got a bag of soft plastics that probably weighs close to 30 lbs! I will NEVER use that much stuff. How did this happen, you ask? Well, I'm a sucker for good deals, and every year I hit the bass pro shops outlet in Springfield Missouri. I really should stop doing that. When it comes to fishing stuff, I'm as bad as my wife is with her shoe collection...

I'll send you a PM.

Nik wrote:

Trent Hale wrote: And if you want to use light line go with braided or you will never see the big one, that got away. But thats just me.

agree 100%. most times fishing is use the smallest line you can get away with. For me bass fishing is use the biggest line you can get away with. Last year i saw 2 people get their line broke by what would have been the biggest bass they ever caught because they were using 6 lb. Don't let this happen to you. Just about every lake that has bass in it around here has many fish over 5 lbs, and if you hook into one, 4 lb test is going to last about 4 seconds. Bass have very rough areas like sandpaper inside their lips that will shred line and go right through smaller line, and it seems like the bigger ones know just what to do to put the most pressure on your line, whether it's wrapping around a dock or diving straight down with all their might right at the boat.

This year I haven't been throwing anything lighter than 14 lb test, and I have the drags on my reels more or less turned off. Bigger line = less stretch = way better hook sets, plus you can really horse those fish out of some nasty stuff if you need to. you try and set the hook on a big bass at the end of a long cast with light line and shes going to laugh and spit your bait right out. obviously it's not how everyone does it, but it's been working pretty good for me. I'm not really interested in a lengthy, epic battle to get the fish to the boat. I'm more about holding that bass up to get a nice picture and getting her back in the water nice and fresh.

I for one, actually enjoy the battle. :batman: I love it when i get a large trout and it's making the drag on my shimano scream like a banshee. But those are pretty rare, unless I hit up Rufus. All the local planted trouts, even large ones around here dont do much drag.

I was able to land a 17" smallie on my 4# line this weekend at Banks Lake off the rocky banks. Dont know the weight of that, maybe you guys can guessimate for me. I didnt dare swing it though. Had the gf net it once it got close enough.

Pics of it here.
http://www.washingtonlakes.com/forum/ya ... -Lake.aspx

I'm with you on this one fishingfool but 4lb is still a little lite for bassin from now on I use 6lb ande line which I have found to be more like 8lb. last summer I had an estimated 3lb largemouth swallow my jerk bait not 1ft from the surface i was so freaked out I set the hook to hard and snapped my 4lb test. for everything else I found 4lb to be adequate and alot more fun.

for the record it was the first time I have snapped my line on a freshwater fish.
except a few times I have lost stockers by pulling them out of the water and into the boat without a net

I use 6 lb mono on my ultralight rigs. When I get hung up on something solid, I've got to yank the line very quickly to break it. If I pull slowly, my boat moves! That line is pulling about 400 lbs through the water (me, boat, battery, trolling motor & misc gear).

For most bass fishing situations, I go with 8 lb mono. It's cheap, castable, and gets the job done. The only time I go heavier than 8 is when I'm fishing in heavy cover because 1) You've got to get the fish out quickly before it wraps you around something, and 2) the line will probably get rubbed and it needs to be strong and abrasion resistant. Braid with a fluorocarbon leader is a good option if you want a heavy-duty mainline that is still relatively thin and castable. Fluorocarbon is less visible than braid and VERY abrasion resistant, but it's also much thicker. That's why combining the two can be such a sweet setup.

As always, check your line frequently for cuts & rubs -- especially the first 3 feet. After catching a fish or getting snagged, check your knots to make sure the tag end is still there. If it has slipped, retie.

Another aspect that many fishermen don't take into account is moistening the line before pulling a knot tight. This is VERY important. Friction will weaken a knot big-time! I just spit on the tips of my fingers and rub it into the knot before pulling it tight. Sometimes my knots are too good and my mainline breaks before the knot. That may sound like a good thing, but I lost two full spools of line on Saturday, which is about 200 yards. Fortunately I was able to retrieve most of that line, so it didn't end up staying in the lake where it could endanger wildlife or get caught in a prop.

Light line will cause many big fish to die when they break your line. For casting you can get 4# size line in braid that is 14# test. I looked at your smallie and it looks to be 2.5 lbs when you get one thats 5# or bigger and you land it, what a job!on 4# test. I don't think you will get her in with 4# test. Bass don't give up like trout, she will fight you all the way in. And when she sees you snap!! She will swim off and die what good is that!

Trent Hale wrote: Light line will cause many big fish to die when they break your line. For casting you can get 4# size line in braid that is 14# test. I looked at your smallie and it looks to be 2.5 lbs when you get one thats 5# or bigger and you land it, what a job!on 4# test. I don't think you will get her in with 4# test. Bass don't give up like trout, she will fight you all the way in. And when she sees you snap!! She will swim off and die what good is that!

4# mono is a tad light for bass, but I know guys who use 6# fluorocarbon with dropshot rigs and rarely lose fish. Going from 4# to 6# line doesn't sound like much but it's a 50% increase in strength!

Fishing reels have adjustable drags for a reason; they are designed to prevent line breakage by slipping under tension. If your drag is set correctly it should be difficult for a fish to break your line. However, if you are using line that is too light for the application, you might get "spooled" and lose ALL of your line at once.