TimothyMichaels Loc: Seattle WA

Angle lake is not to far. It does have a population of Kokanee. I have a small boat and a Helix 5 fish finder but no down riggers. I've been reading up on these fish to see what techniques are used. I would rather figure out a way to use existing gear then purchase new stuff with the aim of a new quarry. I would appreciate any suggestions as to locals how to bag Kokanee without a down rigger. I know they school and bite out of territorial aggressiveness rather then to eat. So my proposal is to search using the Helix rather than troll. And when I find a school to use very bright jig like lures to piss them off into biting. I know I' can tie up a jig that would be too much and scare them. And also that they go after bright pink (?)
I saw these fish before on my Helix and it shows the precise depth. They were at about 27 to 30 feet at that time. I could not get accurate enough with what I had to put a lure before there nose. A bait casting rod and reel with a line counter might give a real number as to how deep? If I owned one I'd use it. I use a countdown method with a spinning reel but it seems non precise. Or, with a small investment I see there are line counters. Have you used one with a spinning reel? I know you could not cast the line so is is limiting. I have looked for some new line where it changes colors every foot but I don't think it is made? I've even tried marking my line with paint markers but it got a bit messy and I through the line in the trash. Any suggestions for more precise depth control without down rigger trolling or other tips on Kokanee?

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Hey Tim. There are a few different ways to get a lure down 30 feet or so without using a down rigger.
First and possibly the most accurate is a diver. Like a Dipsey Diver. They come in a couple different sizes and will put your offerings down 30 to 40 feet pretty easily.
Secondly, you could use leadcore line. That works pretty good for that depth also.
Thirdly, you could use a banana trolling weight . Depending on your speed a 4 to 6 Oz weight should work.
However with any one of those technics you will have to use a heavier rod than your trout rod.🙂👍

DozerDave Loc: Port Orchard Wa.

Here is a chart showing how far back, when long lining, that you need to be with a banana weight, to get you down to a certain depth, with a particular weight. At 1.5 mph. And why aren’t you trolling while you searching for your Kokanee. Just curious. You may want to google “Kokanee University” by fishing with Gary. Very informative… 🐟on

This will put you in the ballpark

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Thanks Dave. That's what I was referring to. Glad you could post it. 🤠👍

DozerDave Loc: Port Orchard Wa.

Yeah, I thought that it might give him a little better chance hitting his target depth than a diver. I’m not sure though, because I’ve never used one. I ran across this chart a few years back when I first started Kokanee fishing before I had down riggers. Although I troll for Kokanee at 1.0-1.2 mph. I think I would have to lengthen the line to elevate the presentation to hit the target depth. I’m not sure. I’m not very good at math … 🐟on

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

DozerDave Loc: Port Orchard Wa.

Hey, Tim. As far as measuring your line, if you were to measure from the face of your reel to the first eye on your rod you can measure your line by counting your pulls. This is what we did until I got down riggers. For instance, on my rig it was pretty close to 24” so it was pretty easy to count out a close proximity to what I was looking for. As far as rods. You want a very limber trout, but better yet an actual Kokanee rod. And let the rod do the work for you. You want to use as much finesse as possible. They have a very soft mouth and you have a very good chance of ripping a lip with a stiffer rod. Although they do have an inline rubber snubber that is used to create flex in your line. Good luck… 🐟on

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

The slower you go, the deeper you go. The more line you have out the deeper you go. Up to a point that is. 🙂

DozerDave Loc: Port Orchard Wa.

You’re correct about going slower. But I would think that if you’re letting out more line that you would actually continue to rise. I’m just not sure of the ratio… 🐟on

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

For using heavier weights, leadcore or dipsey divers you'll need a little stiffer rod and use the rubber snubbers.
They are made to use as a shock absorber. 👍

DozerDave Loc: Port Orchard Wa.

🐟on

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

That's what I meant by " a certain point. "
If you get too much line out it does start to rise up.

DozerDave Loc: Port Orchard Wa.

Right, I knew that’s what you were referring to. I’m not sure if there’s a mathematical equation to it or if you’d have to play with it to figure it out 🤷‍♂️… 🐟on

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Ha, me either.😄👍

Jeremy Loc: America

If you use the “ how many pulls or fathoms etc “ once you think you have a perfect depth figured out. …. You can tie a piece of Rubberband or braided line right on your mainline. It is a perfect length of line measuring device. Same idea as using a bobber stop as a depth or line length measurement if you don’t have a line counting reel.