tactics for river coho

[fear_no_fish]

POWER PRO ALL THE WAY

Finally your starting to catch on haha
power pro and maxima crystal ivory
the power pro will haul in a log and the maxima will stay on a reel until you use it all up
I rarely have problems with my maxima and my dad has been using it for YEARS! haha with little problems

[natetreat]

POWER PRO ALL THE WAY

Finally your starting to catch on haha
power pro and maxima crystal ivory
the power pro will haul in a log and the maxima will stay on a reel until you use it all up
I rarely have problems with my maxima and my dad has been using it for YEARS! haha with little problems

I agree. I use both almost exclusively. I've used maxima for lingcod off the westport jetty since I was a small child, its abrasion resistance on the rocks is superb. Power pro will straighten out the hook before it snaps. Off all the lines it holds a knot the best.

[gpc]

1/4 oz jigs are coho slayers. No bobber, no weight just a jig. I have found that jigs with really long tails that almost pulsate through the water work the best. None of the jig companies make a jig like this. You are going to have to do it yourself. Just tie up a couple dozen jigs in hot pink or chartreuse. Powder coat the heads so they match the feathers, but in the glo line of Pro-tec powder paint. My jigs have about a 3" tail coming off the hook, so yes short strikes are a problem. Add a dab of Mikes shrimp oil right behind the head. And get some prawns from the grocery store. Just regular non cooked prawns for eating. (I like the frozen prawns in the 100 ct. bag) Cut the prawns up into tiny pieces and "cure" them with your favorite egg cure. Add a piece to your jig. Not for presentation just for scent, these will also help with the short strikers. I also pour my own jig heads I prefer Gamakatsu 604 heavy wire jig hooks in 2/0, but also use 3/0 Matzuo Sickle hooks when money is tight. Gamis run about $.33 each by the 100 ct. bag, and the sickles run about $.07 when bought by the 100. Hand tied jigs can run you about $.15 if you use the sickle hooks.

[knotabassturd]

1/4 oz jigs are coho slayers. No bobber, no weight just a jig. I have found that jigs with really long tails that almost pulsate through the water work the best. None of the jig companies make a jig like this. You are going to have to do it yourself. Just tie up a couple dozen jigs in hot pink or chartreuse. Powder coat the heads so they match the feathers, but in the glo line of Pro-tec powder paint. My jigs have about a 3" tail coming off the hook, so yes short strikes are a problem. Add a dab of Mikes shrimp oil right behind the head. And get some prawns from the grocery store. Just regular non cooked prawns for eating. (I like the frozen prawns in the 100 ct. bag) Cut the prawns up into tiny pieces and "cure" them with your favorite egg cure. Add a piece to your jig. Not for presentation just for scent, these will also help with the short strikers. I also pour my own jig heads I prefer Gamakatsu 604 heavy wire jig hooks in 2/0, but also use 3/0 Matzuo Sickle hooks when money is tight. Gamis run about $.33 each by the 100 ct. bag, and the sickles run about $.07 when bought by the 100. Hand tied jigs can run you about $.15 if you use the sickle hooks.

Wow, you have this stuff down! Good info.

[natetreat]

1/4 oz jigs are coho slayers. No bobber, no weight just a jig. I have found that jigs with really long tails that almost pulsate through the water work the best. None of the jig companies make a jig like this. You are going to have to do it yourself. Just tie up a couple dozen jigs in hot pink or chartreuse. Powder coat the heads so they match the feathers, but in the glo line of Pro-tec powder paint. My jigs have about a 3" tail coming off the hook, so yes short strikes are a problem. Add a dab of Mikes shrimp oil right behind the head. And get some prawns from the grocery store. Just regular non cooked prawns for eating. (I like the frozen prawns in the 100 ct. bag) Cut the prawns up into tiny pieces and "cure" them with your favorite egg cure. Add a piece to your jig. Not for presentation just for scent, these will also help with the short strikers. I also pour my own jig heads I prefer Gamakatsu 604 heavy wire jig hooks in 2/0, but also use 3/0 Matzuo Sickle hooks when money is tight. Gamis run about $.33 each by the 100 ct. bag, and the sickles run about $.07 when bought by the 100. Hand tied jigs can run you about $.15 if you use the sickle hooks.

I saw a guy using those today and he caught three nice Jack Silvers on them. I thought it was pretty neat. I was just using a single corky and hooked and broke off two big coho. I've always had the best luck with just a corky on a short leader.

[leif-liden]

1/4 oz jigs are coho slayers. No bobber, no weight just a jig. I have found that jigs with really long tails that almost pulsate through the water work the best. None of the jig companies make a jig like this. You are going to have to do it yourself. Just tie up a couple dozen jigs in hot pink or chartreuse. Powder coat the heads so they match the feathers, but in the glo line of Pro-tec powder paint. My jigs have about a 3" tail coming off the hook, so yes short strikes are a problem. Add a dab of Mikes shrimp oil right behind the head. And get some prawns from the grocery store. Just regular non cooked prawns for eating. (I like the frozen prawns in the 100 ct. bag) Cut the prawns up into tiny pieces and "cure" them with your favorite egg cure. Add a piece to your jig. Not for presentation just for scent, these will also help with the short strikers. I also pour my own jig heads I prefer Gamakatsu 604 heavy wire jig hooks in 2/0, but also use 3/0 Matzuo Sickle hooks when money is tight. Gamis run about $.33 each by the 100 ct. bag, and the sickles run about $.07 when bought by the 100. Hand tied jigs can run you about $.15 if you use the sickle hooks.

whats the best way to fish jigs? i think i know what im doing but odds are im totally wrong lol

[Matt]

Generally, there are 2 ways to fish them for coho. Under a float, or "twitched". Use a gibbs style "dink" float or a slip bobber and suspend the jig about 6" above the bottom (or so it just ticks along the bottom a few times through your drift) and just let your gear drift with the current, OR use light jigs (1/8 - 3/8 Oz depending on depth) and cast and retrieve them with a SLIGHT twitching action.... emphasis on SLIGHT, if you start swinging like a monkey reaching for a banana it quickly evolves into snagging. Twitching jigs can be effective when fish are holding in a specific area, you can find them by isolating the jumping schools and casting and twitching jigs along the bottom in these areas. When fish are more sparsely distributed (such as now) it is probably best to stick to hardware and drift gear.

[rseas]

What's a coho? Do they really exist?

[Matt]

What's a coho? Do they really exist?

That is a damn good question, my friend.

[rseas]

Hey Matt, did you catch the outboard pump thing I posted? Good info for a new sled owner... BTW, I love your new boat.

[bionic_one]

1/4 oz jigs are coho slayers. No bobber, no weight just a jig. I have found that jigs with really long tails that almost pulsate through the water work the best. None of the jig companies make a jig like this. You are going to have to do it yourself. Just tie up a couple dozen jigs in hot pink or chartreuse. Powder coat the heads so they match the feathers, but in the glo line of Pro-tec powder paint. My jigs have about a 3" tail coming off the hook, so yes short strikes are a problem. Add a dab of Mikes shrimp oil right behind the head. And get some prawns from the grocery store. Just regular non cooked prawns for eating. (I like the frozen prawns in the 100 ct. bag) Cut the prawns up into tiny pieces and "cure" them with your favorite egg cure. Add a piece to your jig. Not for presentation just for scent, these will also help with the short strikers. I also pour my own jig heads I prefer Gamakatsu 604 heavy wire jig hooks in 2/0, but also use 3/0 Matzuo Sickle hooks when money is tight. Gamis run about $.33 each by the 100 ct. bag, and the sickles run about $.07 when bought by the 100. Hand tied jigs can run you about $.15 if you use the sickle hooks.

Could you post a picture of what that looks like? (before and after?)


I really agree with the power pro. It's not overly expensive, and you'll get a straight hook before you snap the line. I generally run with 30-40lb power pro (smaller gets rats nested too easily) and 20lb mono or pline flouro coated mono for my leader.

[knotabassturd]

Bionic- sounds like you go heavy duty serious! Guess if the fish won't spook on 30 pound line then why not Didn't think about the added benefit of avoiding bird nests with heavier line. Better than using 8-10 pound and losing a fish at the net breaking off the leader.

[BentRod]

Bionic- sounds like you go heavy duty serious! Guess if the fish won't spook on 30 pound line then why not Didn't think about the added benefit of avoiding bird nests with heavier line. Better than using 8-10 pound and losing a fish at the net breaking off the leader.

If you don't already know this, the PowerPro is braided line. The 30lb test is the same diameter as 8# mono, but the mentioned 20# leader that is attached is a mono, which is is considerably thicker. I've seen pictures of the fish bionic catches, so I'm gonna say it doesn't seem to spook the fish! lol. Tight lines.

[knotabassturd]

Bionic- sounds like you go heavy duty serious! Guess if the fish won't spook on 30 pound line then why not Didn't think about the added benefit of avoiding bird nests with heavier line. Better than using 8-10 pound and losing a fish at the net breaking off the leader.

If you don't already know this, the PowerPro is braided line. The 30lb test is the same diameter as 8# mono, but the mentioned 20# leader that is attached is a mono, which is is considerably thicker. I've seen pictures of the fish bionic catches, so I'm gonna say it doesn't seem to spook the fish! lol. Tight lines.

Ya I am unfamiliar with braid other than seeing it at the stores and seeing a lot of positive feedback from users and seeing it in action at Dash Pt pier last year where people hoisted pinks clear out of the water, overhead, and onto the pier splat LOL (a good 15 feet around low tide plus the flip includes about 8 feet above the pier to make sure the fish clears the rail). I have always fished old school mono. Plus I still have a bit of 15 pound mono from years ago that has worked very well with the chinook this year (broke a rod without breaking the line or losing a nice fish). Looks like my old habit will eventually 'evolve' toward braid possibly this year if I get out to do much bobber/egg fishing for coho.

[Matt]

Hey Matt, did you catch the outboard pump thing I posted? Good info for a new sled owner... BTW, I love your new boat.

Just checked that out, some good info over there. I love the new boat too other than the fact it is suffering from electrical issues on the main circuit, working on remedying it now......sigh. I should get some updated pix up.

[curado]

happy u made it off the river.

[Matt]

Thanks curado, good news is I fixed all the wiring problems and I will be up in "the spot" tomorrow afternoon. Wanna join? Gimme a ring.

[curado]

your sled is perfect lol to make it up to the jungle hole

[Matt]

Dunno if we are ready for.... the jungle..... hahaha, sure why they hell not.