Northwest Fishing Reports

Hey all,
Does anyone have any experience fishing trout with a slip-bobber from a lake shore this time of year?
It's probably going to be a while before I'm able to get my little port-a-boat sea-worthy and am shore bound for the time being.
I don't eat fish and try to release everything I catch, but with the traditional slip-sinker/floating bait technique a large percentage of the trout I catch usually go belly up. Not cool!

So, I'm exploring alternative techniques that'll keep me on the water without feeding the commorants and raccoons.
My original idea was to suspend(via a slip-float) a small natural colored panfish jig with a bit of worm or maggot on it as near the bottom I as can estimate, and give it an ultra-slow retrieve like you would with lethargic panfish.

Sound like a reasonable theory?

Any advice ya'll might have'd be much appreciated.

Hey Big Game,
Using a slip float can be very productive in rivers, streams and lakes this time of year. You might try using barbless jigs and flies suspended without bait below your float. Remember if you use bait or scent of any kind in the state of WA you are required to count any fish caught towards your limit regardless of weather you release them or not.
Good luck.

I have caught numerous cutthroat trout this time of the year using slip bobers with anywhere from 8-25 ft of leader. I always used a full night crawler carefully threaded on a light wire hook and a split shot 2ft above it. last year I caught a 22in cut doing this and my buddy also caught a 22incher. the Idea of using a crappie jig is interesting... it would probably work well because that is basically how people Ice fish. the only dificulty I see is that you would have dificulty setting the hook when your line is not taught.

Big Game wrote:Hey all,
Does anyone have any experience fishing trout with a slip-bobber from a lake shore this time of year?
It's probably going to be a while before I'm able to get my little port-a-boat sea-worthy and am shore bound for the time being.
I don't eat fish and try to release everything I catch, but with the traditional slip-sinker/floating bait technique a large percentage of the trout I catch usually go belly up. Not cool!

So, I'm exploring alternative techniques that'll keep me on the water without feeding the commorants and raccoons.
My original idea was to suspend(via a slip-float) a small natural colored panfish jig with a bit of worm or maggot on it as near the bottom I as can estimate, and give it an ultra-slow retrieve like you would with lethargic panfish.

Sound like a reasonable theory?

Any advice ya'll might have'd be much appreciated.

Remember that fishing for trout with bait requires that anything you catch counts toward your limit, released or not, so ........

Now, that aside, try using a circle hook for your bait.

You gain two things.
First, you do not set the hook but just real it in. This actually makes the loose line problems go away.
Second, you almost never hook the fish anywhere except the corner of the mouth, so release is easy.

Hey Guys,
Thanks for the input! Much appreciated.
I actually tried my theory out yesterday on Spanaway lake
for a couple of hours.
No takers, but they weren't cooperating for anyone else either.

I suspended a tiny black feather jig(my guess would be a 1/64?) with an artificial
wax worm(that new Berkley Gulp Alive) at between 4 to 6 foot. I added a small split
shot about a foot above the jig..... next time I think I'll either use a heavier jig and
remove the weight or, as suggested, raise it to two foot.(My only useable rod is only
5'6" however)

I like the idea of using flies! I actually started out as a fly-fisherman(Gawd, how I
miss chasing those Cutties in streams!). I can't believe I didn't think of that.....
I'll definately be giving that a try. Any recommedations on pattern? ('bugger, hare's
ear, chironomid patterns?) I am also throwing around the idea of a drop-shot
type rig.

I tried, briefly, using circle hooks years ago with limited success, but that was
for bottom fishing and never followed up on my experiments with them.
(see lake Louise report 5/14/2003)
I'll give'm a whirl again and see what happens. Any recommendations as far
as "hook size"?

I am aware( and strictly adhere to) the law concerning the use of baits.
I was however, completely unaware that this included "scents". Glad you said
somethin'!
Thanks again guys!!!...this'll keep me busy for a while.