Kokanee for the first time this spring

[ekul246]

So I've been doing some research on fishing for these.

Who here goes for Kokanee?

Fishing with Rod has some helpful tips. But there is so much other info out there it just gets confusing.
What setups do you guys use?
I don't have downriggers for my 12ft Jon boat. And would rather not buy even the little ones from Cabela's.
I was thinking of jigging a Croc while anchored as well as trolling a Dodger with a snubber and a spoon or wedding band tipped with krill or shoepeg corn. What about a little roebag of my own cured sockeye from this past summer?
If I fish in early March, seems from what I've read, the fish should be closer to the surface and I can fish under a bobber or troll close to the surface and should have some success. Maybe?
Since I live in Mission, I would like to try Hayward, if there is any Kokanee there. Or on Stave Lake?
I'm about to make a purchase on Bass pro and include some of the seemingly necessary gear like snubbers and dodgers. Thought about Willow Leafs but not sure if I want to add that weight to my line while trolling.

I have no experience with this and I don't know anybody who has experience with Kokanee so I'm reaching out to get some good advice and clarity on all the info that is out there.

Hopefully you guys can help me out.

[wifigary]

I use a macs dodger with the pink tape, no snubber, and 12-14” leader off the end with a UV squid tipped with corn marinated in “Kokanee magic” first then the “bloody tuna” pro-cure scent. Around here they seem to be around 30’ deep and 25-30’ back behind the downrigger ball. Troll very slow, 1.5-2k max and make lots of “S” patterns.

[barry1974w]

I’ve had good success with a small gang troll with a wedding band tipped with a piece of worm behind. Just trolled slow eightyish feet behind the boat.

[ekul246]

I’ve had good success with a small gang troll with a wedding band tipped with a piece of worm behind. Just trolled slow eightyish feet behind the boat.

How do you tow the gang troll? Separately behind the boat or on the rod?

[barry1974w]

How do you tow the gang troll? Separately behind the boat or on the rod?

we just had em on the rod. I think the one I used to most of the time was called a Kokanee troll, but when I just goggled it I didn’t see anything. Pretty small as far as gang trolls go, but if you’re looking for a fight, a Kokanee dragging a gang troll around isn’t going to get you excited.

[ekul246]

we just had em on the rod. I think the one I used to most of the time was called a Kokanee troll, but when I just goggled it I didn’t see anything. Pretty small as far as gang trolls go, but if you’re looking for a fight, a Kokanee dragging a gang troll around isn’t going to get you excited.

Cabela's carries a willow leaf gang troll that I was considering https://www.cabelas.ca/product/8596/...af-lake-trolls. I'm going to be ordering a couple dodgers. This one https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/yaki...kokanee-dodger in silver and surfer. Both 3 3/4".

The overall setup i was considering before starting this thread was a dodger followed by a spoon or wedding band tipped with krill. Two rods set up. One is a light 5'6" and then the medium 6'6".

But I am interested by what Jagermeister said about lead core line.

Which non-downrigger method is the most popular?

[Jagermeister]

Get a low profile 27# lead core line with 50' of 15# test line. Use a FST #5 without the hook attached to leader and then a short section (14") of 8 or 10# test line and a small spoon, hoochie or even a wedding band. Like wifigary says, go slow, I don't think it matter much about the s patterns but pulling the rod forward about 5 or 6 feet and then dropping it back to let the flasher flutter down may improve your strikes. I use a large capacity level wind reel, Penn is my preferred reel. I use these so I do not get any kinks in the lead line and the retrieve rate is fast. When you feel a slight tap, rapidly reel because kokanee will run toward you making you believe you lost it. They will shake off if not kept on tension.
Your 12 Jon boat is a good fishing boat. I would suggest that you row instead of using motor power. A stroke every 3 to 5 seconds or maybe a second or two more. Your lure will slow at the intervals between the power stroke which makes for good action.
I usually fish 3 to 4 colors trailing in early morning and 6 to 7 colors at high sun position.

[ekul246]

Get a low profile 27# lead core line with 50' of 15# test line. Use a FST #5 without the hook attached to leader and then a short section (14") of 8 or 10# test line and a small spoon, hoochie or even a wedding band. Like wifigary says, go slow, I don't think it matter much about the s patterns but pulling the rod forward about 5 or 6 feet and then dropping it back to let the flasher flutter down may improve your strikes. I use a large capacity level wind reel, Penn is my preferred reel. I use these so I do not get any kinks in the lead line and the retrieve rate is fast. When you feel a slight tap, rapidly reel because kokanee will run toward you making you believe you lost it. They will shake off if not kept on tension.
Your 12 Jon boat is a good fishing boat. I would suggest that you row instead of using motor power. A stroke every 3 to 5 seconds or maybe a second or two more. Your lure will slow at the intervals between the power stroke which makes for good action.
I usually fish 3 to 4 colors trailing in early morning and 6 to 7 colors at high sun position.

Good info Jagermeister. Will lead core go onto a spinning reel? Looking to keeps costs low. Will my 6'6" medium action rod work with that too?

[ekul246]

Get a low profile 27# lead core line with 50' of 15# test line. Use a FST #5 without the hook attached to leader and then a short section (14") of 8 or 10# test line and a small spoon, hoochie or even a wedding band. Like wifigary says, go slow, I don't think it matter much about the s patterns but pulling the rod forward about 5 or 6 feet and then dropping it back to let the flasher flutter down may improve your strikes. I use a large capacity level wind reel, Penn is my preferred reel. I use these so I do not get any kinks in the lead line and the retrieve rate is fast. When you feel a slight tap, rapidly reel because kokanee will run toward you making you believe you lost it. They will shake off if not kept on tension.
Your 12 Jon boat is a good fishing boat. I would suggest that you row instead of using motor power. A stroke every 3 to 5 seconds or maybe a second or two more. Your lure will slow at the intervals between the power stroke which makes for good action.
I usually fish 3 to 4 colors trailing in early morning and 6 to 7 colors at high sun position.

Good info Jagermeister. Will lead core go into a spinning reel? Looking to keeps costs low. Will my 6'6" medium action rod work with that too?

[Jagermeister]

Spinning reels twist the line too much. Go with a level wind. Your 6'6" rod will work. Check garage sales for level winds. Penn 309, Penn 320 GTi, Okuma 300 L, Arsenal would be some to look for. Maybe a Shakespeare. It would be better if you have a rod with a smaller guide than the large one found on the spinning rods. Look at garage sales for those too and do not overlook pawnshops and other secondhand stores. Just know your prices first so you don't get rolled over by some crafty salesperson in a pawnshop.