Cal Bob Loc: Clovis, California

https://kokaneepower.org/derbies.php
Is anybody here going this Saturday, or has done this in the past? It seems fun, but I'm a bit worried it will be a zoo out there. My 14 year old daughter does a fine job launching and controlling the boat, watching the sonar and GPS, and keeping us on the fish while I tend 2 lines on one manual downrigger, but we've never trolled on a crowded lake before. Any advice?

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

Participating in a tournament can be fun, but it can also frazzle your mind in terms of staying out of trouble with line tangles and "bent attitudes" about who gets to cover what water. We just hosted a 3 day salmon tourney in our town and the local waters were alive with boaters from all over the place.

Us poor "civilians" that wanted to fish for salmon as outsiders had to ply the waters that were left void...primarily as a courtesy, but also to stay out of harms way!

Whomever is at the helm must be very experienced and capable of doing very well with boat control...both during the act of just having tackle deployed as well as when you get a fish on. Kokanee are probably not huge fighters, so perhaps you can keep trolling in your intended pathway regardless of any struggle by the fish. Big fish will go where they desire, and the boat usually has to follow...which get's tricky when other boats are present.

I would advise keeping a pretty tight set out of your gear and keep it close enough to your boat that you know what your water swath and depth is fairly precisely. If boats are using radios for communication, sometimes it can be polite to ask a captain what kind of space they need when you are passing from opposite directions if you feel that boats are close. One tangle up can spoil a lot of fun for more than 2 vessels! If you can stay away from the "pack", that is probably the best advice anyone could give you.

When in doubt, I always yield to other fisherman in their boats even when they are moving into waters that I had intended to fish. Sometimes, when you are considering a directional change, go ahead and turn so that your bow and profile indicate your intention and hold that course as long as you feel comfortable (well in advance). Typically, as a reply back, the approaching boat will react in the opposite way to signal their acceptance of your plan. If that does not work...then return to original course and just hold it...allowing the other boat to take up the water you had been hoping for.

I fish around numerous charter boats where I live, and my goal is always to allow them the right of way as a sporting courtesy...regardless of what I had in mind. This typically only means that you miss out on a small spot on the water when passing. If you are overtaking somebody due to trolling speed, definitely go wide and avoid getting too close.

Boat control is very important in crowded waters...especially when a tournament is at stake.

Good luck if you participate!

florida Loc: Southwest Florida/ Virginia

GREAT INFORMATION Thanks

Cal Bob Loc: Clovis, California

Yes, we often do tend to have trouble "staying in our lane", especially on windy days at our mountain lakes, We too like to give everyone a wide berth, and the official rules listed the prize money based on 150 participants, so it could be elbow to elbow out there. I fish for family enjoyment first-- catching fish is secondary, so we might sit this one out, depending on the weather. Thanks for the great advice/info!

Jarheadfishnfool Loc: Woodlake/Tulare ,Ca.

Hey Bob I'm also Bob, I've fished Shaver dozens of times,and for as many craft are going to be there ,there won't be a lot of room, especially the pontoon boats that will be trolling, my best advice is start trolling as early as possible, look for water temp. 50-53° ,pink hoochies maybe tabbed with garlic or anchovie flavor, sometimes needlefish lures ,good luck friend, ,if you don't have a downriggers, try leadcore line ,,

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Give it a go. You will never know if you don't try. You will never get experience at tournament fishing if you sit on the couch and watch "Bill Dance". Have fun and keep it safe. More important, make sure your daughter is safe and having fun. She will be watching your every move when dealing with other competitors.

Cal Bob Loc: Clovis, California

Thanks Bob, and Bapabear.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Now go win!

trlittle Loc: Chico CA

What a great reply, thanks for the attention to detail

Cal Bob Loc: Clovis, California

Well, thanks to all of you for encouraging me to enter the derby. It was crowded, but not nearly as much as I thought. Maybe 30 or 40 boats out there. My daughter and I only got a couple strikes that came off, and I saw only 2 fish netted in the 5 hours we were on the water, but had a great time just being out there with my kid.
I read that there were only 7 teams at the weigh-in, so I don't feel too bad getting skunked knowing we had plenty of company.
Kokanee Power, the non-profit which ran the derby, seems dedicated to helping the DFG maintain viable Kokanee and inland salmon fisheries, so I'm happy to support them and will be sending in my membership.
Oh, and for anyone planning a trip up to Shaver this fall: due to falling water levels the concrete launch ramp at Sierra Marina ends just past the edge of the water, so your trailer tires will drop down a few inches, and then it's onto round rocks. I imagine in a few weeks it will take 4x4 to launch there.
Tight lines!

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

Thanks for the update...and I'm glad that you decided to enter the tournament! At least you tried...and it sounds like the bite was not the best but you had a chance to enjoy the competitive side of fishing!

Jarheadfishnfool Loc: Woodlake/Tulare ,Ca.

Good on you Bob! I'm sure your daughter had a Great time, it is beautiful up there, have ever taken her to Dinkey Creek? Try it she'll catch planter trout there.

woodguru Loc: El Dorado Ca

Try jigging for Kokanee...find the school, hold the same spot (the MinnKota spot lock does a great job) and jig lead lures at the depth the school is holding. This technique could be a tournament buster...sit in one spot and let trollers go around you. More and more guides are doing this, it's very effective and it's a blast. There are guide videos posted online that show four and five hookups at a time the action is so fast and furious

Cal Bob Loc: Clovis, California

Yes, it was really just like any other day fishing, but with a lot more company! Everyone was polite and friendly, (which kind of fits right in with the ultra-slow Kokanee troll speed), so I'll be back for the next one for sure.

Cal Bob Loc: Clovis, California

The derby rules specifically banned jigging, so your post really caught my eye, Woodguru, and I can't wait to try jigging on a non -tournament day.
I'm looking to upgrade my weak, basic trolling motor for a Terrova with spot lock for next season, and will try jigging (just not during derbies) for sure. At Huntington we spend half of our time getting blown off the fish we've metered, and the other half trying to turn around in the wind and get back to them, so jigging with Spot Lock sounds great. Do you have any favorite jigs and rigs your could point me to?