Crazy Coho Bite! 2023 Juneau Salmon Derby Day 1! Alaskan Salmon Fishing - Juneau, Alaska! AUG 2023

[@NRALifer1]

That's not Fishing, That's Catching! Bam Bam Bam non-stop Action! Great Team work!

[@CaptainZac]

Haha well said @NRALifer1! It is always fun when a fishing trip turn into a CATCHING trip!!! Thanks and tight lines my friend! Captain Zac

[@BillMikesAnglingAdventures]

Sweet Coho's - nice when they start biting like that 👍👍

[@CaptainZac]

Hi Bill thanks for stopping by and I'm glad you enjoyed this coho action! Yes indeed - when the time and place are just right, sometimes a "hot bite" will appear and quick limits arrive shortly thereafter! Thanks again and tight lines my friend! Captain Zac

[@ericwiegele7651]

Captain Zac and Mary Yeehaw Cowboy.. Awesome Coho Rodeo! Always nice to get some blood in the box. Even better to slim the entire boat…! Well Done… Tight Lines My Friend! E

[@CaptainZac]

Hi Eric many thanks for watching and I'm glad you enjoyed this derby action! Yes indeed our boat was definitely slimed after this coho rodeo!!! Always fun when both rods light up at the same time! Thanks again and tight lines my friend! Captain Zac

[@philmccumbee6938]

Great to see your video pop up. You guys did well on the coho’s. What a fishing team you and Mary make. Keep ‘em coming.

[@CaptainZac]

Hi Phil many thanks for watching and I'm glad you enjoyed this derby action! I appreciate the positive comment - I'm lucky to have such a great co-angler! Tight lines my friend! Captain Zac

[@johnurban7903]

Best team on the water !!!❤

[@CaptainZac]

Thanks John! I'm lucky to have a great first mate! Thanks again and tight lines my friend! Captain Zac

[@ChiefofThangz907]

that reminded me of the opening of commercial fishing....such a fun time of the season in Juneau 🥰🥰🥰🥰🙏🙏 ty for the video

[@Justwatchingvideos2day]

Hi Captain Zac and Mary! Love the video. Thanks for giving me my fishing fix during the depths of winter!

[@CaptainZac]

Hey there Captain Alan I appreciate the positive comment! Great to hear from you and I'm glad this salmon derby footage is helping you get past this final winter cold spell! The 2024 season will be here soon! Tight lines my friend! Captain Zac

[@davehconner]

Thanks for the video. I not only enjoyed seeing you and Mary keeping busy with the coho bite, but I also really enjoyed seeing those SE Alaska background cloudy mountain views.

[@CaptainZac]

Hi Dave thanks for watching and I'm glad you enjoyed the fishing action as well as the SE Alaska mountain views! Even if the fish aren't biting, there is always something amazing to see here in Alaska if you take a moment and just look around! Thanks again and tight lines my friend! Captain Zac

[@waynehillstead7424]

What action! I have never seen so much. I'm jealous. FYI Rock Fish tacos are hard to beat. Keep up the good work Captain.

[@CaptainZac]

Hi Wayne thanks for the positive comment and I'm glad you enjoyed this coho action! Yes indeed I'm 100% with you - I actually had rockfish tacos last night using my Halibut Magic seasoning! Thanks again and tight lines! Captain Zac

[@gavinheiter7704]

Got to love coho frenzies!!!! Great video like always guys!!! Getting me excited for July!! Keep the videos coming !

[@CaptainZac]

Hi Gavin many thanks for watching and I'm glad you enjoyed this coho action! Haha yes indeed nothing beats a red hot coho bite - so much action! Glad that this footage can help "prime the pump" for another great coho season this July! Thanks again and tight lines my friend! Captain Zac

[@maltby_pass5632]

Wow! How much fun was that?!! Great video. Keep them coming! Well done!

[@CaptainZac]

Hi @maltby_pass5632 thanks for watching and I appreciate the very positive comment! I'm glad you enjoyed this salmon derby action! Thanks again and tight lines my friend! Captain Zac

[@waikarimoana]

Good to be out on opposing Day and get the limited too Captain Zac, great fishing trip mate and awesome video as always, thumbs up and greetings from down Under,, Tony.

[@CaptainZac]

Hi Tony many thanks for watching and I appreciate the positive comment! Yes indeed - always good to start a tournament off with a "hot bite!" Thanks again and tight lines my friend! Captain Zac

[@miked5357]

You guys are living the dream!!!🎉🎉🎉

[@CaptainZac]

Thanks @miked5357 I appreciate the positive comment and am glad you enjoyed this salmon derby action! Tight lines! Captain Zac

[@knighttenkoa-gamersouthern5236]

That rockfish double was funny. Love those kings

[@CaptainZac]

Thanks @knighttenkoa-gamersouthern5236 I'm glad you enjoyed this one! Yes indeed that rockfish double was the strangest thing - there must have been hundreds of them down there! Thanks and tight lines! Captain Zac

[@clamsoup]

The first 10 minutes or so was awesome! Trolling for rockfish, chickens, and Jack kings. That was like janitorial duty to get the derby started. Let's get all these other fish out of the way first. The double rockfish set was a banger! Gaining daylight..... Another year coming in fast.

[@CaptainZac]

Hi Alan many thanks for watching and I'm glad you enjoyed this salmon action! Haha well said! Once the small by-catch (rockfish, chickens and shakers) were all cleaned out, then we finally got down to coho business! Too bad a big king never showed! Yes indeed that double rockfish was crazy! Just like you, I'm counting down the days until the 2024 season is here! Tight lines my friend! Captain Zac

[@clamsoup]

@@CaptainZac No thanks required for watching. We fish the same waters and I like seeing what you're up to. You keep your hands full juggling the steering, tackle, down riggers, and camera with enthusiasm and haven't let a halibut pull Mary off the gunnel yet - nor gone overboard yourself. It's just a great show of chaos in control.... Keep it up.

[@CaptainZac]

Haha "chaos in control" - I love it!!! Did you fish the derby last year?

[@clamsoup]

@@CaptainZac Oh yeah. I've got a neighbor who makes sure there is space for me on his little tub. I think we've done the last four years together. So far we've just dropped off scholarship fish, but we ended up with 2 $100.00 checks the first year at the drawing. We assume there is a king out there named Walter that has been avoiding everyone for awhile. He started out as a 27 pounder, so he should be about 48 by August 2024.

[@clamsoup]

We might be that little blue and white boat that zips by you after your visit from the Sea Pirate.

[@Cntrmass]

Zac, great video again. Can you cover in a future video or comment why your down-rigger sits at an 45 angle back, and not 90 straight out for more line separation ?

[@CaptainZac]

Hi @Cntrmass thanks for watching and I'm glad you enjoyed this salmon action! Yes indeed - I'll turn them out to 90 degrees and extend much longer if the conditions are really aggressive and the risk of the downrigger line clipping the engine is high. In all other cases, I prefer the 45 degree angle with a little extra extension. Mostly just preference probably but I find that this configuration allows for easier access to the downrigger clip for bait checks and the downrigger ball when clearing for a fish. Plus, I like the streamlined angle this delivers when at trolling speed. I can tell by sight if my speed if too fast, too slow or just right - by looking at the downrigger line when trolling. Plenty of people catch fish with 90 degrees as the default so perhaps give both options a try to choose whichever you prefer! Also, I often achieve separation (between the two lines) by fishing them at different depths. Thanks again and tight lines my friend! Captain Zac

[@Cntrmass]

@@CaptainZac I broke a mounting bolt last year on a mag 10 base. Thank goodness I had another fisherwoman on board who saved the down-rigger from going to the bottom. I have now replaced the factory bolts with a larger version. Thanks for all the good info.

[@CaptainZac]

Wow that sounds like a close call! Cheers to the fisherwoman who saved that downrigger from going overboard!

[@coleomo]

cool video, appreciate how you edited it to all the good bits! just wondering, the rod you were using at the beginning how big of a flasher were you using?

[@CaptainZac]

Thanks @coleomo I appreciate the positive comment! I am using a Lamiglas Redline Composite Trolling Rod (10' 6") with an 11 inch flasher. Here is the link to the rod - www.lamiglas.com/collections/redline-composite-series/products/hs1064hc-106-salmon-trolling-plug-downrigger?variant=14460139405361. Thanks again and tight lines! Captain Zac

[@ThePiscatorian360]

That's how my derbies usually start out too! Shakers, rockfish, or dogfish! Lmao😂. Im sure as I watch this video you will get into some good ones.

[@CaptainZac]

Hey Piscatorian many thanks for watching and I'm glad you can relate to catching ANYTHING BUT A KEEPER SALMON during a salmon derby!!! haha Luckily, we found a hot coho bite and picked up our limit later in the day! I hope all is well on your end - hopefully your 2024 season will kick off soon! Thanks again and tight lines my friend! Captain Zac

[@GeloBoysGaming]

Captain Zac I love your fishing vids and you can call me Angelo

[@CaptainZac]

Hi Angelo thanks for stopping by and I'm glad you enjoyed this salmon derby action! Tight lines my friend! Captain Zac

[@schiedler1978]

Gotta love those shortbus p dropper one of our favorites down here in sw Oregon around bouy 10 and the Columbia we normally use lead but i do wanna try that setup behind our down riggers looked like about 15 ft before you clip in right is that close and did u use any bait on that hootchie thx much love your guys videos out boat is actually named coho rodeo of of our favorite late sunmer and fall traditions down here

[@CaptainZac]

Hi @schiedler1978 thanks for watching and I'm glad you enjoyed this derby action! Yes indeed - I like to cycle through a variety of flashers any given day and sometimes these shortbus setups have certainly proven deliver automatic hookups! No I wasn't fishing any bait here - just a straight hootchie. I was using herring scent on the hootchie (smelly jelly or similar). Sometimes I'll troll a herring on a spin clip behind a flasher as well. Correct - about 15 feet behind the downrigger line. Haha Coho Rodeo is an awesome boat name! I'm sure you've had your fair share of crazy coho doubles!!! Tight lines my friend! Captain Zac

[@schiedler1978]

How heavy are your down rigger balls

[@CaptainZac]

12lbs, Cannon rubber coated w/ holographic sticker

[@bradleyeis7319]

Nice Catch guys. I was hoping for a monster King

[@Bradleyoutdoorsman]

I also love how you guys were working together and enjoying it

[@CaptainZac]

Hey @bradleyeis7319 thanks for stopping by and I'm glad you enjoyed this salmon derby action! Haha I thought eventually a big king would swim by but that just wasn't in the cards for day 1. Sometimes you'll catch a dozen cohos and then the very next minute catch a big king using the exact same tactics. Alaska definitely keeps you guessing! Thanks again and tight lines my friend! Captain Zac

[@CaptainZac]

Thanks @Bradleyoutdoorsman - I'm lucky to have a great co-angler!

[@briansodeman4175]

Just curious what clips do you use on your downrigger lines to attach your fishing lines?

[@CaptainZac]

Hi Brian I use the 48" Scotty clips - www.cabelas.com/shop/en/scotty-downrigger-powergrip-plus-release-clip-with-self-locating-snap. Thanks and tight lines! Captain Zac

[@Bradleyoutdoorsman]

What manufacturer of flies did you use?

[@CaptainZac]

Hi @Bradleyoutdoorsman thanks for watching and I'm glad you enjoyed this salmon action! On this day I was trolling a P-Line "hootchie" behind an 11 inch flasher. These 4.5 inch "hootchies" are also called squid skirts, such as those available from P-Line - p-line.com/product/sunrise-squid/. Thanks again and tight lines my friend! Captain Zac

[@Bradleyoutdoorsman]

@@CaptainZac ty for taking the time to answer. i did see them earlier on fishusa i was thinking it was that. i fish lake Michigan for salmon the last couple of years. for kicks i was thinking i would try them for kicks and see if they could work here to

[@CaptainZac]

Definitely worth a try! I spent a stint in Chicago and went salmon trolling in Lake Michigan a few times. Seem like spoons are popular for kings and lake trout and smaller spoons, flies and crank baits are popular for cohos. No reason why a hootchie behind a flasher wouldn't tear it up down there! Sometimes it is helpful to fish something a little different than everyone else! Tight lines! Captain Zac

[@Bradleyoutdoorsman]

@@CaptainZac yep I totally agree. Yes I use a lot of spoons. Specially the dream Weaver SS is catch lots of fish off of them but I also use cranks and flies behind Spin Doctors and paddles mostly 8 inches. But I’m open minded to try a lot of different stuff

[@CaptainZac]

All awesome techniques! I have some Spin Doctors on my boat also - in fact I used a green one for some of the trolling in this video!

[@ericdevarney4089]

wondering how many rods you break by stepping on them

[@CaptainZac]

None! Tight lines! Captain Zac

[@deeterry580]

You know, if you start targeting rock fish you might catch something else!😂

[@CaptainZac]

Haha great point! Funny you say this - I was speaking to someone on the dock last year who was fishing for rockfish on light gear and ended up hooking a 34" king salmon! Thanks and tight lines! Captain Zac