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Area 11 Tacoma - Vashon Report
Washington

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08/01/2014
Downriggers
Chinook Salmon
Green
Flasher/Lure
Noon
08/04/2014
4
1964

After a decent trip to Baker Lake, I decided that with the rest of the week off, it was time to hit the salt for a bit. Got a late start after such an exhausting trip and I got on the water around 1100. Headed off to Point Robinson to drop the pots in the water and was actually fishing, lines wet at 1200. I started my troll at Point Heyer and headed North. About 20 minutes into my troll I was already laying into fish. There was bait surfacing everywhere and marking all over my finder. I laid into a couple shakers (one around 16" and one around 18"). At about 1300 I finally laid into a fish that had some size. It took a few runs on me and I was able (after a few attempts) to net it. I saw an extra fin, so I got my lure out of it's mouth, took a quick pic (over the side of the boat per the regs) and let it go. If I had to guess, I would say that it was about 5 or 6 pounds and around 25". It was taken at 85' on the wire in 110' of water with my home-made "Kingspin". I finally got a picture of one of my home-made concoctions, so here it is.
I start with a Coho Killer. Next, I take a clear UV needlefish (squid) and put it over the Coho Killer. Sometimes I fish it just like this (UV Needlefish over a Coho Killer) and I call this the Hootchie-Killer. It should technically be a Needle Killer, but Hootchie-Killer has already kind of stuck on my boat. Now, in order to make it a "Kingspin", I add a few beads and a spinner blade. If you have read my kokanee 101 article, then you would see that I just took kokanee lures and fused them together with chinook tackle. Basically, all I did was add a couple of green, a couple of glow beads and a 000 gold plated spinner to the Hootchie-Killer. This rig has caught me at least 3 nice sized fish in the last few weeks and has been the most productive rig for me this season BY FAR. If I had one piece of advice for any new anglers out there, don't be afraid to try something new.


Comments

downriggeral
8/4/2014 9:43:00 PM
Thanks for sharing. I keep wondering if there is a way to catch the Columbia river kings ( I fish at the mouth of the Deschuses above The Dalles dam) on a set up like yours. We usually fish original Brad's Super Baits but would like to give them something new to look at.
Alan

PS What hook are you using on the spoon and what size of hootchie if I may ask?
gfakkema
8/4/2014 10:05:00 PM
The hook is the stock sickle style hook that comes on the Coho Killer. I use these hooks for a bit and sharpen once or twice (probably a couple of trips out). After this I usually replace with a 3/0 Mustad Stainless Siwash Hook (Mustad 9510).
The "hootchie" is actually not a "hootchie" at all. Hootchies/Squids have a wider diameter. These are actually labeled as "needlefish". If you go to the sporting goods store, look closely at the Hootchie/Squid section and you should see that the needlefish are a lot narrower than the standard hootchie. If the store has a decent selection of tackle they should have these separated from one another.
The needlefish that I use is labeled as follows:
Silver Horde/Gold Star/Yamashita
#35 Needlefish
Color: 0197 or N197R (Clear UV)
downriggeral
8/4/2014 10:27:00 PM
Thanks so much for the info. Most likely will have to order since I live in Eastern WA; not too much salt stuff around here.
CaptZtown
8/6/2014 3:12:00 PM
That fish sure looks like a mis-clipped hathery to me... Maybe its just the way its laying in the net, but it looks awfully flat on top. Either way, nice work!
gfakkema
8/7/2014 7:54:00 PM
Capt, it was def a wild fish. I could see the adipose from 15ft out and it was evident. It's just the way the fish is sitting in the net.
obryan214
8/8/2014 1:11:00 AM
haven't thought of putting a hootchie on a coho killer like that before. rigged up several large wedding ring style lures though, working to much lately to spend much time on the water.
salmonbarry
8/8/2014 10:48:00 PM
Great informative report as usual and wish I could have joined you Friday but work got crazy busy for me. Glad you got into some fish as I went by the launch at 9:30 and a guy was cleaning his boat had got his limit over there that morning and was wondering if you were out there.
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Salmon Eye Charters

Phone: (877) 777-4344