Kokanee

Does anyone target them off their yak?  I think I am going to try next week in between dr appointments if I can at berryessa, if anyone has any intel they would like to share, or tentatively plan on joining, let me know.  The bite is on fire for the boat guys, so why not?

I would love to join you on this one. I have not tried fishing for kokanee
myself. This will be my first. It will be great if somebody could show this
old newbie how to fish for them. Let us know when next week?

Jedmo

What day? I would be interested in going. Never fished for them but would sure love to try. Are the biting toplining or just the guys running downriggers?

Jeff

the kokes are around 25-30 feet in the morning, 50 in the afternoons.  leadcore, dipsies, downriggers or a whole lot of weight would be required.

Saw a dude catch one off the boat ramp at New Melones last weekend on an inflated worm.  It was very deep there though, like 100+. 

Ive got a few divers,a 75 footer and 50 footer, never used one, but well see

I was thinking of a three way, with about 12 oz ball dropper, and a leader out to a dodger with a spinner or apex.  I guess there is a free launch at berryessa, and a short paddle to the island where they are fishing, the main launch is 5 miles from the island, I heard, there is vandalism problems at the free launch.  I am seriously thinking that, or bullards bar.  In the boat, we troll at 1.2-1.5 mph, easy paddling speed.  I think it is doable, I will let you guys know, Looks like Wednesday is my only open day, I have tests for my spinal injury on Monday, and Tuesday.  I have a buddy that lives for kokanee, and I can hit him up for tackle ideas, and procured corn. 

My wife works night shift wed, so she can take Tanner to school.  Lets shoot for Wed.  My truck is going into the body shop on Tues, so I will have a rental car, and have to figure out how to get my yak there, but I will get er done!

I was also thinking of using my big rock cod rod for a downrigger, and clip a light weight rod to it, and use a pound weight, should work?  I am stoked, I am there Wednesday.  If anyone is coming from Rocklin/sac and has room, can I hitch a ride?  I will have to get the foam roof rack for the rental car while my truck is in the body shop.  Might end up strong arming it a bit while trolling, but that is ok, swap sides if one arm gets too tired.  I can taste Kokanee already.

Rich

Rich, I can do Wed, I have room on my rack for another yak if you wanted to ride up with me. 28mpg with 2 yaks on top 

Jeff

Rich,  a rock cod rod could work as a downrigger in a pinch.  just be aware that if it extends out too long it will be a PITA to deal with. also you should find a way to keep the above the water a little so you can access the clip easier. make sure you have a linecounter of some sort so you know how deep you are approximately.  with 1lb weight at 1.1mph you should have a slight angle but it won't be 45 degrees. 

another option would be to use a 1 - 3 oz banana weight in line trolling.  thats how they used to do it in the old days before those fancy downriggers.  take a guess at your line angle as you paddle and adjust accordingly.  a dipsy diver might be the best way because they are supposed to drop to a certain depth and then you dont have to deal with the cluster**** of downrigger, line, second topline, tangles, etc.   they are not overly expensive either.

Rich,  a rock cod rod could work as a downrigger in a pinch.  just be aware that if it extends out too long it will be a PITA to deal with. also you should find a way to keep the above the water a little so you can access the clip easier. make sure you have a linecounter of some sort so you know how deep you are approximately.  with 1lb weight at 1.1mph you should have a slight angle but it won't be 45 degrees. 

another option would be to use a 1 - 3 oz banana weight in line trolling.  thats how they used to do it in the old days before those fancy downriggers.  take a guess at your line angle as you paddle and adjust accordingly.  a dipsy diver might be the best way because they are supposed to drop to a certain depth and then you dont have to deal with the cluster**** of downrigger, line, second topline, tangles, etc.   they are not overly expensive either.

They are nice as well because they have the release mechanism so when a fish hits, it pops free so there is no resistance when fighting the fish....

This is the Deep Six No. 0 I have.

In diving mode





Released

Lets do it Jeff, if you could pick me up in Rocklin, I will spring for fuel, and pack lunches.  I am going to get some planers and also have line counter on my big rod, not very sporty, but it will get me to the right depth.  I can use pothagriam theory to get the depth and speed, and then estimate the other rod out the other side.  

bringing a calculator fishing - love it