5 Quick Tips for Trophy Steelhead Leave a reply
Rob Endsley with a Trophy Steelhead
by Jason Brooks
Big wild steelhead are starting to show in our Northwest rivers. This means it’s time to go fishing folks. Here are five quick tips to make your trip better.
Use bigger gear to fight bigger fish-Jason Brooks
- Upsize your gear – Once you set the hook and realize you have a big steelhead it’s nice to know you can handle that fish and fight it to the bank. Use heavier mainlines and leaders as well as a stout rod. This helps you land the fish as well as release a fish that isn’t exhausted.
Pink worms are very effective for big fish-Jason Brooks
- Forget the Bait – Instead of using bait which tends to cause higher mortality, switch to other tactics such as spoons, plugs, spinners, rubber worms and beads.
Scents attract fish as well as cover unwanted smells-Jason Brooks
- Use Scent – Bait gets swallowed but scent attracts fish to your gear and helps cover any unwanted smells. Apply Pro-Cure Super Gel to leaders, weights, and swivels and soak yarnies in Pro-Cure bait oils. Yarnies can be just as effective as bait and wild steelhead won’t swallow them.
Bobber dogging is an great way to increase your catch rate-Jason Brooks
- Learn to Bobberdog – This technique allows you to fish all different kinds of water without making adjustments. It is simple, you’ll lose less gear, and it’s highly effective. Hawken Fishing makes an entire line of Aero Floats designed specifically for bobber-dogging. Spend some time learning this technique and you’ll be able to easily target trophy steelhead holding water.
Ted Schuman admires a trophy steelhead about to be released-Jason Brooks
- Take a Camera – Big fish are in our rivers and if you land that “fish of a lifetime” then take the time to snap a few photographs to preserve the memories. Remember to keep the fish in the water until the camera is ready.
Jason Brooks – Outdoor Line Blogger
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