CTFishTalk.com: salmon help! - Connecticut Lake Reports ( CT Lake Reports ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

troutslayer1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2012 Posts: 8

hi all, im knew to this site and i plan to do some kocanne salmon fishing at west hill pond this year.I do not know much about fishing for these.I am only 13 and any information on what to use would be greatly appreciated.

SeaDog1 · Joined: 21 Dec 2009 Posts: 2629

Hi troutslayer1,

Well 1st of all they're called "Kokanee" -> landlocked version of Sockeye Salmon. (Note: Kokanee are plankton eaters)

Fishing for Kokanee is very involved and is finesse fishing at its best!

FYI: There are only 3 bodies of water that have Kokanee east of the Mississippi -> 2 here in Ct. and 1 in North Carolina.

Basicly only 2 ways to fish for them -> trolling deep (very very very slowly at 0.5 to 1 kt. of speed) with very specific beads, spoons, or hoochies in the 1-2 inch size.

2nd way is to have your boat anchored in deep water at night (West Hill its 46-48 ft.) fore and aft, so the boat does not swing.

You will absolutely need the follwing:

4-5 foot very limber microlight rod with small spinning reel that has no less than 7 ball bearings and a really super smooth drag. ( loaded with 4-6 lb. test)

Light to hang over the water to attract the plankton they feed on.
Also cap light so you can see what your doing at night!

Fish Finder -> Yes! You will need one to find the schools.
Kokanee are very specific temperature sensitive fish and like the water between 50-54 F -> This may be a band of water only 2 ft. wide, so you have to be right on the money with your bait at the depth they're at.
That means they'll be down at West Hill between 28 ft. and the bottom just at or below the thermocline.
Note: Kokanee only get up to between 12-18 inches at WH. and have only a 3-4 year life span, which is why your allowed to take 8 per day. (See Ct. Angler's Guide)

For bait you use specifictly "Green Giant Shoepeg Corn -> 1-2 kernels and maggots 1-2 on a Gamakutsu red # 8 - 10 or 12 Octopus hook tied to 18 to 24 inches of 6-12 lb. test floro. Also you will need some split shot to get the bait down as fast as possible to depth past the Bluegills and Trout.

Now Kokanee bite only 2 ways -> Barely preceptable or WHAM! they will double the rod over.

IMPORTANT: Kokanee have a very soft mouth like a Crappie and you must learn to NEVER EVER SET THE HOOK Exclamation

-> Just lift the rod tip -> And NEVER STOP REELING IN Exclamation

Kokanee have the nasty habit of swimming towards you hooked and you'll never know it till they're at the surface.

Kokanee are unbeliveble fighters -> I have hooked them at 35 ft. and had them rocket to the surface like an ICBM, jump 3-5 ft. in the air - over my boat and back over, tailwalk like a Tarpon, and Zig-Zag wildly.
Yes DD Exclamation

-> My "Little Silver Bullet Psycho Fish" Very Happy

Smallmouth Bass will out fight a LMB 10 to 1 -> A Kokanee will out fight a Smallmouth 100 to 1 Exclamation

You will also need a long handle boat net to land them because you NEVER want to lift them out of the water -> you'll tear the hook out as they go crazy and will spin.

Again -> This is very involved finesse fishing and you need lots and lots of paitence. -> They are a real challenge to find, hook, and land!
Some days they bite consistanly and other days you can see them on the FF and NOTHING -> Bad case of Lockjaw Exclamation

Lots to learn about fishing for these bad boys!

WARNING: Kokanee fishing is very addictive!

The pay-off is that they are absolutely fabulous to eat and even better smoked Exclamation

Lots of info on the Internet -> Just Google up "Kokanee fishing", + videos on youtube.

Good luck!
SeaDog1

DirtyDawg10 · Joined: 27 May 2009 Posts: 2238 Location: Granby, CT

Here's a video... Laughing

Link

SeaDog1 · Joined: 21 Dec 2009 Posts: 2629

Hi DD,

I was hoping you had saved that video clip and would show it again Very Happy

That is a great clip - Love it Exclamation

Forgot how you did that Confused

Let me know again!:

We will go for Kokanee this year Thumbs Up

SeaDog1

:

troutslayer1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2012 Posts: 8

thanks seadog!! I really appreciate it! If the salmon are that deep down should i use down riggers?And also i fish for landlocked salmon on lake winnapasuake in nh.Would the same lures i use for them work for kokanne salmon?

SeaDog1 · Joined: 21 Dec 2009 Posts: 2629

Hi ts1,

Yes! A downrigger would work well -> You must though have it set at the very precise depth the Kokanee are at.

And ..... NO! -> Your salmon lures are way to big for Kokanee.

Google up "Kokanee lures and spoons" + watch some of the youtube videos on "Kokanee rigs"

Most people that fish for Kokes at WH, fish at night at anchor and it does seem to be the prefered method and most productive,, + a lot less hassel then trying to troll for them + using up gas running all over the place trying to find them.
The Kokanee schools move around a lot but will come to the light at night which attracts the plankton they feed on.

SeaDog1

troutslayer1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2012 Posts: 8

hi seadog,Thanks for all the information and help.Also could you catch trout night fishing the same way as you fish for salmon?

SeaDog1 · Joined: 21 Dec 2009 Posts: 2629

Hi ts1,

Yeap! Trout will hit the same gear you use for Kokanee!

The majority of us throw all the trout we catch back and just keep the Kokes!

SeaDog1

troutslayer1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2012 Posts: 8

yes, i have had both salmon and trout .And i prefer salmon.However smoked trout is delicious.

troutslayer1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2012 Posts: 8

I was also wondering why is such a short rod good for kokanee?

SeaDog1 · Joined: 21 Dec 2009 Posts: 2629

Hi ts1,

The short rod is for fishing at anchor!

A longer rod makes it difficult to fish and bring the fish to the landing net.

Use a "very limber" longer rod (7 ft.) for trolling!

SeaDog1