Hello Anglers,
I'm getting word that several fish were caught after the recent rains in the lower river. More fresh fish are on the way.
Congratulations to Ed and Robert. Here's one of the chrome fish we caught while bobber fishing last week.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Tidewater Fishing Not Over
Hello Anglers,
Recent rains will push many fish upriver, but more are still coming. Once the rains stop for a few days, expect more fish to stack back in upper tidewater. The Siuslaw above Mapleton is high enough to drift, but the color is off (as of Sat. night). It should be fishable either Sunday afternoon or Monday. I'll be bobber fishing below town later this week.
Here's this week's Siuslaw News story:
Bobber Fishing for Fall Chinook Part II
In last week’s article, I discussed the rigging I use when bobber fishing for salmon on the river. In this week’s article, I’ll talk about some of the places I look for fish in rivers. There are few things more satisfying than fishing a new part of the river and locating fish.
Rolling Fish Are A Sign
Many times, fall salmon give away their location by jumping or “rolling”. Though scientists and fishery biologists have been debating the meaning of this action for years, this guide is pretty sure they do it because they can’t stick their tongue out at us! But seriously, rolling fish are active fish. If you see a lot of rollers, it’s a good place to start fishing. It is also important to note that not all rollers are biters, and there’s nothing more frustrating than having fish roll all around you with no bites.
Incoming Tides, Scum Lines and Time of Day
I aggressively bobber fish during incoming tides. Fresh fish move upriver following the incoming tide, and it’s a great time to catch them. Fish new to an area are more aggressive than fish that have been holding for a few days. Also, fish generally move at night, feeling safe under the cover of darkness. So fishing the incoming tide early in the day gives you the best chance of locating biting fish. Another sign I look for is the “scum line” in the river. Some anglers avoid it, fearing the sticks and leaves will foul their presentation. Seek the scum line out and fish in or next to it. This is where the current is moving and where the fish will be.
Shallow Water Vs. Deep Holes
Don’t be tied to the idea that salmon only hold in deep water. Salmon will often hold and stage on shallow “flats”. Try these shallow water areas during incoming tides, early and late in the day. If the weather is rainy and overcast, you can fish these shallow water areas all day. During outgoing tides and bright conditions, concentrate on deeper holding water. If it’s sunny and clear, salmon will tend to find deep holding water where they’ll feel secure. Also, fish don’t have sunglasses or even eyelids, so they want to get out of the sun.
See you on the water,
Action Jackson
(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)
Recent rains will push many fish upriver, but more are still coming. Once the rains stop for a few days, expect more fish to stack back in upper tidewater. The Siuslaw above Mapleton is high enough to drift, but the color is off (as of Sat. night). It should be fishable either Sunday afternoon or Monday. I'll be bobber fishing below town later this week.
Here's this week's Siuslaw News story:
Bobber Fishing for Fall Chinook Part II
In last week’s article, I discussed the rigging I use when bobber fishing for salmon on the river. In this week’s article, I’ll talk about some of the places I look for fish in rivers. There are few things more satisfying than fishing a new part of the river and locating fish.
Rolling Fish Are A Sign
Many times, fall salmon give away their location by jumping or “rolling”. Though scientists and fishery biologists have been debating the meaning of this action for years, this guide is pretty sure they do it because they can’t stick their tongue out at us! But seriously, rolling fish are active fish. If you see a lot of rollers, it’s a good place to start fishing. It is also important to note that not all rollers are biters, and there’s nothing more frustrating than having fish roll all around you with no bites.
Incoming Tides, Scum Lines and Time of Day
I aggressively bobber fish during incoming tides. Fresh fish move upriver following the incoming tide, and it’s a great time to catch them. Fish new to an area are more aggressive than fish that have been holding for a few days. Also, fish generally move at night, feeling safe under the cover of darkness. So fishing the incoming tide early in the day gives you the best chance of locating biting fish. Another sign I look for is the “scum line” in the river. Some anglers avoid it, fearing the sticks and leaves will foul their presentation. Seek the scum line out and fish in or next to it. This is where the current is moving and where the fish will be.
Shallow Water Vs. Deep Holes
Don’t be tied to the idea that salmon only hold in deep water. Salmon will often hold and stage on shallow “flats”. Try these shallow water areas during incoming tides, early and late in the day. If the weather is rainy and overcast, you can fish these shallow water areas all day. During outgoing tides and bright conditions, concentrate on deeper holding water. If it’s sunny and clear, salmon will tend to find deep holding water where they’ll feel secure. Also, fish don’t have sunglasses or even eyelids, so they want to get out of the sun.
See you on the water,
Action Jackson
(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)
Monday, October 8, 2007
Upper Tidewater Is Heating Up
Hello Anglers,
Haven't had much time to post lately because I'm fishing every day. Fishing is starting to pick up in the Mapleton area. I've spent some time trolling and some time bobber fishing with good results. Congratulations to 12 year-old C.J. Bell who landed a 44 lb. salmon last week. Way to go C.J.! Dad Justin also scored a nice chinook the same day. (right photo)
Terry and Eric Stanger from San Diego also caught 2 nice fish in tidewater this week. (left photo)
Here's this week's Siuslaw News story...
Bobber Fishing for Fall Chinook
Fishing with bait under a slip bobber is perhaps the most productive and exciting way to catch fall salmon on Oregon coastal rivers. Bobber fishing is more interactive than other methods of catching chinook, and there’s nothing quite like the feeling when the line comes tight on a big, bright fish.
What is a Slip Bobber and Why Use It?
Simply put, a slip bobber is a float with no fixed stopper attached to the bobber. It is stopped by a small knot attached to the mainline. When the bead hits the knot, it stops, which it turn stops the bobber. The advantage of a slip bobber is that you can fish any depth, from 3 feet to 20 feet or more. You can reel the knot all the way up and recast it easily. With a fixed bobber, you’re not able to fish any deeper than about 6 feet or so.
Rigging the Slip Bobber
If you talk to enough bobber fishermen, you’ll find variations, but here’s the simple setup. On the main fishing line, attach the following:
dacron or monofilament knot (used to stop the bead and bobber)
plastic bead (6 mm is perfect)
slip bobber (run your line through the center of the float)
plastic bead (6 mm again)
tie on snap swivel
tie on leader (2-3 feet is about right)
attach weight to your setup. How much weight you use depends on your bobber size. You’ll want to use enough weight to make the bobber stand up, but not so much as to sink the bobber. Usually about ½ oz. “tear drop” weights work well. This style weight has a metal eye that will attach to the snap swivel.
A Few Quick Tips
use heavy line. 20-30 lb. test monofilament is perfectly fine. Many times hooked fish will attempt to dive back into cover or run around pilings. Heavy line will help you turn these fish and land more of what you hook.
use bigger hooks. Size 4/0 and 5/0 hooks penetrate a salmon’s mouth better that size 1 or 1/0 hooks.
tie your hooks with egg loops. You can cinch the line down on the bait, keeping the bait on the hook for more casts.
consider using braided line for your mainline. Braided line floats, making mending the line easier. Also, braided line does not stretch like monofilament, making long hook sets easier.
Join me next week for more in-depth information on bobber fishing, including locations for finding fall salmon.
See you on the water,
Action Jackson
(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)
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