Alright, let’s talk about this kokanee fishin’ thing, eh? I ain’t no fancy expert or nothin’, but I’ve caught my fair share of these little silver fellers. Now, they call it “kokanee rigging trolling,” sounds all highfalutin, but it ain’t that complicated, trust me.
First off, you gotta understand these kokanee. Some folks like to go on and on about their life cycles and whatnot, but all I care about is catchin’ ’em. They like cold water, deep water, that’s the main thing. So, you gotta get your bait down there where they are.
Now, the setup. I’ve seen folks use all sorts of contraptions, but I keep it simple. You need some line, a weight, somethin’ shiny, and a hook with some bait. That’s it. Don’t let them fancy fellers at the fishin’ store sell you a bunch of junk you don’t need.
The Weight: You gotta get that bait down deep, see? Some folks use those downrigger things, all complicated and expensive. I just use a good ol’ cannonball weight. Yeah, a cannonball weight. It slides on the line, so the fish don’t feel it when they bite. Works like a charm, I tell ya.
The Shiny Thing: Kokanee, they like shiny stuff. Attracts ’em, I guess. I use what they call a “dodger.” It’s like a little piece of metal that wiggles and flashes in the water. You can use other things too, like those “flashers.” They’re heavier, but they work good too. Just gotta make sure it’s somethin’ that catches their eye.
- Now, some folks say you don’t need the dodger or flasher, but I’m tellin’ ya, it helps.
- It makes the bait look more lively, like a little fish dancin’ around.
- Kokanee, they can’t resist that, no sir.
The Leader: You need a leader, that’s a piece of line between the weight and the dodger, and another piece between the dodger and the hook. I usually use about 18 to 24 inches for the first one, and about 6 inches for the second one. Don’t ask me why, that’s just what works. Don’t overthink it.
The Bait: Now, for bait, you got choices. Some folks use little lures, those colorful things that look like bugs or somethin’. I like to tip them with a little piece of worm or maggot. Makes it smell tasty, ya know? Kokanee, they got a good sense of smell, just like me when I’m bakin’ pies.
The Speed: You gotta troll slow. Not too slow, not too fast. Just right. I aim for about 1.5 to 2 miles per hour. And don’t just go straight, make some turns. “S” turns, they call ’em. That makes the bait speed up and slow down, drives those kokanee crazy.
The Secret: Alright, I’ll tell ya a little secret. Pay attention to when you catch fish. If you always catch ’em when you’re turnin’ one way, then keep turnin’ that way. The fish, they like to hang out in certain spots, gotta figure out where they are.
So, there you have it. Kokanee rigging trolling, ain’t so hard, is it? Just keep it simple, get your bait down deep, use somethin’ shiny, and troll slow. And don’t forget to pay attention to what the fish are tellin’ ya. They’ll let ya know what they want, if you just listen.
And one more thing, if you see me out on the lake, don’t come too close! I don’t want you scarin’ away my fish. Find your own spot, there’s plenty of kokanee for everyone.
Now, get out there and catch some fish! And don’t forget to bring a cooler, you’ll need it.
Tags: [Kokanee Fishing, Trolling Techniques, Kokanee Rigging, Freshwater Fishing, Fishing Tips, Cannonball Weight, Dodgers, Flashers, Fishing Baits, Fishing Speed]
