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)