Winter steelhead fishing!

[rippin fish lips]

I can't wait to explore some small coastal streams in search of my first winter steelhead. It will be my first year really getting into it and i plan on having 3 rods for 3 different methods, especially for the tuff times. All spin combos, Drift fishing, float fishing, and and then spoons and spinners.

The tuff part is going to be bringing the net along for those tuff to land fish in areas. I like the idea of fishing 2/5oz little cleos, and sprocket spinners for them mostly tho so i am going to try and tear it up.

WBU?!

 

[C_Run]

My strategy will be to go more than I did this year. I just have two rods and can't see packing a net around. That said, I lost a really choice fish this year due to lack of a net and where I chose to fish from. I want to make more homemade spoons this year and give that a better test. I think I have 32 collected so far. The other rod will likely be for something under a float.


Got to go salmon fishing first, right??

 

[troutdude]

RFL, when I saw this thread I thought you'd gotten one. Then I realized it's too early! Got me there...ha ha. :lol: :lol:

Looks like you've got all of the bases covered. Those steel will be outgunned for sure.

Good luck.

 

[rum runner]

sounds like your ready to get at it! im slowly stocking up also but i only have 2 rods 1 float rod and a drift/hard ware rod i like walking lots of water so i try to pack light but its always good to be ready for any thing!

 

[ChezJfrey]

Yeah, I can't see packing around a net...that would drive me insane pretty quickly. I can usually find a decent spot to grab a tail.

I haven't really looked far enough to Winter yet...not yet through with Summer and I think I'll give Coho a shot here in a little bit...then maybe think about Winter again

 

[bran_man]

Rfl: we will have to do some group trips out this winter with mike (maybe even both mikes dtikey AND plumb2fish if we are lucky) and do some slaying. They def know what they are doing! Even if its just me, Id like to think I know a thing or two about winter steel nowadays one of my favorite times of the year! but I am absolutely addicted to fall nooking right now!

 

[steelhead_stalkers]

We never bring a net. If it is like last year loosing a few fish a day doesn't matter much. :lol: Plenty of chances to get more to the bank! I just wish I would have fished more last winter. Two rods seems to be enough for most bank fishing for steelhead.

 

[alm21]

I can be a pack mule sometimes carrying up to three rods and a net. Not as bad as it sounds as I keep the rods broken down and wrapped together with velcro. I use the Fabril folding & telecoping net ($50 at Dicks). Works great for bank fishing/trail walking in the holes you like to have a net at. I've landed fall Chinook in it.

 

[Mad dog]

Drift rod and float rod....always bring a net...rarely fish from the bank anywhere that there is a decent area to land steelhead without one, too many Mrytlewood or Alder sweepers, steep banks, cliff's rock ledge's. Also, too many large natives that can be subdued way quicker with a net, it can easily cut the fighting time in half.

 

[halibuthitman]

Drift rod and float rod....always bring a net...rarely fish from the bank anywhere that there is a decent area to land steelhead without one, too many Mrytlewood or Alder sweepers, steep banks, cliff's rock ledge's. Also, too many large natives that can be subdued way quicker with a net, it can easily cut the fighting time in half.

its quite amusing watching some of the spots folks think they are gonna land a 10 lb fish.. but its hard to resist good water with bad bank I guess..

 

[bran_man]

Yeah I usually bring my drift rod and float rod. I will bring my net if I am by myself or if I know I will be fishing a spot hard to bank fish other than that, i try and leave the net. the less gear you have to pack around, the better!

 

[rippin fish lips]

its quite amusing watching some of the spots folks think they are gonna land a 10 lb fish.. but its hard to resist good water with bad bank I guess..

The natives are the only reason why i am considering the idea of packing a net around. I will play out a 10lb hatchery fish in the tuffest spot ever, for 10 minutes if i have to and if it still gets away o well! lol, thats the fun of not bringing a net! Gunna find a fish friendly net for the natives, and if i get a hatch fish im gunna tail it! lol if it is in a tuff spot.. there is always a spot to hand land a fish

 

[Mad dog]

The natives are the only reason why i am considering the idea of packing a net around. I will play out a 10lb hatchery fish in the tuffest spot ever, for 10 minutes if i have to and if it still gets away o well! lol, thats the fun of not bringing a net! Gunna find a fish friendly net for the natives, and if i get a hatch fish im gunna tail it! lol if it is in a tuff spot.. there is always a spot to hand land a fish

How much walking around are you guys planning on doing? You should walk less and fish more! That way you don't have to worry about packing a net around everywhere! Man....I know exactly where my 1st cast of the morning is going to go before I leave the house in the morning!

 

[rippin fish lips]

How much walking around are you guys planning on doing? You should walk less and fish more! That way you don't have to worry about packing a net around everywhere! Man....I know exactly where my 1st cast of the morning is going to go before I leave the house in the morning!

I will be doing more fishing then walking around. But it is my second year at winter steelheading so i plan on exploring around on certain days to get a good idea or potential holes. Once i find those holes i will be bouncing back and forth from one to another on each trip. My goal is to find 5 Potential holes and learn them throughout the year, when i find the most productive one i will fish it till i know it well enough to move on to he next.

I do have a couple holes in mind that i will be bringing a net to just in case... Speaking of the first cast thing... me to, its more iimportant knowing where your first cast will be. That is the first step in trying to catch a steelhead. I am just pumped to be able to explore a new river(s). I am just one who likes to find a couple holes to work in 6 - 8 hours. If i dont get any hits in one hole for a while i like to move to the next.

I usually work 2 holes every trip.

 

[Mad dog]

I will be doing more fishing then walking around. But it is my second year at winter steelheading so i plan on exploring around on certain days to get a good idea or potential holes. Once i find those holes i will be bouncing back and forth from one to another on each trip. My goal is to find 5 Potential holes and learn them throughout the year, when i find the most productive one i will fish it till i know it well enough to move on to he next.

I do have a couple holes in mind that i will be bringing a net to just in case... Speaking of the first cast thing... me to, its more iimportant knowing where your first cast will be. That is the first step in trying to catch a steelhead. I am just pumped to be able to explore a new river(s). I am just one who likes to find a couple holes to work in 6 - 8 hours. If i dont get any hits in one hole for a while i like to move to the next.

I usually work 2 holes every trip.

Hmmm....sounds like a pretty solid plan!