Newbie Fisherman Wannabe Here Looking for Gear Advice

Noreaster · Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 6:49 pm Post subject:

M & M, No I haven't been out to Stannard Rock, Have always wanted to, know it's probably the best Lake Trout spot in N. America, but also feel it's probably not a good idea in my 16. There are also some really good books on great lakes trout and salmon fishing by Dan Keating (one of the editors of Great Lakes Angler magazine), Great Lakes Trout and Salmon, and Keating on Kings. Look forward to hearing from you.

MilesandMiles · Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 12:59 am Post subject:

Lenny, I just looked at your photo album. Wow! There's a lot of good eat'n in your household Smile

Spring can not get here fast enough, but I'll "tuff it out" over in the PNW this winter as often as I can get away.

Chris Bulovsky · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 12:25 pm Post subject:

For fishing Lakers and coho on Superior the basic down-rigger rods with cheap reels work for me. I use the cabelas combo's and buy sale rods to replace broken rods 7-8'6".

Long handle net.

I went with in-line planner boards. I prefer Church tackle "walleye boards" for salmon and browns. They are cheaper and work better than those God awful twin cedar plank abominations that take up so much room in the cock pit. Not in my boat!

I use 20# mono, the cheap crap from wally world works fine. But have used cabelas brand mono in the past with good results.

A couple of stiffer 8-9' foot rods for planner boards is desirable.

Marine General, Outdoor A-lure (Craig is a decent guy) is a good place to shop for gear. Needle spoons ,Finn spoons , dodger with a fly for Lakers. Bright spoons for salmon in the fall and gold for browns. Fastrac stick lures, Rapla's the size of a smelt. I like j-11's.

Trolling speed is important... 1.7 mph for lakers. 2-2.7 for salmon and browns.some guys like to go faster for salmon. GPS is needed.

As for hooks I like VMC hooks .....sharp with good quality IMO.

This is what works for me sometimes on Superior for trolling. Out west its a different ball game in the saltwater.

Did I mention that I don't like the big cedar planner boards?

Chris Bulovsky
Washburn Wi Very Happy

bigbob · Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 1:51 am Post subject:

Hi Miles,

I fish the Columbia quite often for spring Chinook. Also do quite a bit of fall chinook fishing as well and then the steelhead run.

It's a bit of a drive from the Seattle area but if you're looking to do some fishing on the Columbia near Bonneville I could be a bit of a help.

Many people, including myself run 50lb braid with a 12-25lb mono leader (depending on what you're after). For the springers they'll take wiggle warts or magnum wigglers, Michael Jackson, pink, and orange seem to be preferred colors. Saw several taken on green though this year. For the fall Chinook you'll want to use the K16 or K15 kwikfish with a 5 oz lead to get it to the bottom. White w/ pink works well as does silver w/ green.

You'll want a rod that's not too stiff. Need to see the tip wiggle to get your trolling speed right, 8'6" seems like a good length for me.

Let me know if you want to fish the area.