Key Takeaways from a Year of Kokanee Fishing

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In 2022 I fished for Kokanee Across America. I probably spent more time chasing Kokanee than all other fish combined. In this video I reflect upon that experience and what I learned about my favorite fish in the world.
Tackle featured in this video:
- Major Craft Jigpara Kokanee Jig 10 gram: amzn.to/3La4AIi
- 13 Fishing Defy 7'1" Med-light Spinning Rod: amzn.to/3DvB0uW
- Daiwa Revro LT 2500: amzn.to/3RSlhdU
- 15 lb Powerpro: amzn.to/3QNCXpA
- Seaguar 6 lb Fluoro STS: amzn.to/3eWGd4Q
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[@PaleHorseFishing]

It would be great to see a video of what you do with and don't do with all these kokanee AFTER you bring them home. Include things like, storage, cooking, cleaning, etc..

[@AlanSprague]

I have probably mentioned this before but watching and learning from your content has taken my Kokanee fishing to a whole nother level. My catch ratio is close to 80% and I limited out on green peter more often than not. I have gone back and rewatched many of your videos several times until I really understood thermocline, color and depth and many other little tips and tricks. Thank you so much for the time and attention you have put into videos!

[@spiltmilt]

That's great to hear. That's why I do what I do. Keep catching those limits.

[@PhattyBarnett]

Ditto for me. We are not alone. Thank you for so generously sharing your knowledge and passion with the community. I, for one, have referred people to your videos constantly and have loved sharing this fishery with new anglers as often as I can.

[@returnofsid]

What a wonderful summary of your year!

[@SequimFishBros]

Another great video, thanks for posting!

[@asully70]

“Alright guys, bye” I was shocked there wasn’t a “fish smarter, not harder” exit statement.

[@spiltmilt]

Good catch. The reason is I made a lot of content last year for my sponsors and they never used it. I figured why waste good material and all that hard work.

[@jamesblakely6279]

You have inspired me to really try to go Kokanee this year. I bought two Kokanee rods going to try the few lakes around me

[@spiltmilt]

Awesome! They are really fun and delicious. Wishing you good luck 👍

[@jamesblakely6279]

Thank you very much

[@kyleoden3015]

Have you ever thought about doing a video of a hyper vis dodger vs no hyper vis dodger video? Man those spawners look awesome!

[@spiltmilt]

Thought about it just haven't got around to it.

[@bruce8663]

I've seen you catch a couple fish on the single hook in front on the Jigpara lure you've been using but am wondering if it might be even more effective as a stinger hook behind the treble hook at the rear of the lure. I use a single hook as a stinger behind the treble when I jig with kokanators and quite often it's the stinger that hooks the fish. Any thoughts? Thanks for your informative videos!

[@spiltmilt]

That rigging could work too. Sometimes I jig near the bottom and that stinger would need to be tied on something I could break off.

[@lmylost7205]

Great video! What boots are those?

[@spiltmilt]

NRS Boundary boot. I love them. amzn.to/3FgthkA

[@fishroper]

Now that you are in the other side of winter how good is your snowpack?

[@spiltmilt]

Okanogan Highlands are fairing well. The Cascades and northern Rockies are running a little below average

[@chrispower3368]

I finally jumped n bought a dry suit. Wanna get put to Merwin on my autopilot next weekend. I got 2 rods setup with 2 of your go to dodgers. Seems every post I see everyone running no weights? Any lil hints where to start on lake?

[@spiltmilt]

This time of year I usually start straight out of Speelyai and start trolling towards Woodland Park favoring the north side. Once you find them don't leave them.

[@chrispower3368]

@@spiltmilt awesome buddy! I appreciate it! Thanks for all your content as always!!!

[@chubbrock659]

I’m curious about your thoughts on divers like a dipsy or jet diver? Good sub for a downrigger or nah?

[@spiltmilt]

Nah too much drag. Just use lead cannonballs or a downrigger

[@LocalHedgebitch]

I may have missed if you said it, but when was this video filmed?

[@spiltmilt]

November

[@mikejameson4545]

What light weight downrigger would you recommend? I seem to recall an earlier video where you had issues with the downrigger and the near drowning mishap that occurred. Is it still a concern of yours or does the downrigger advantage outweigh them?

[@spiltmilt]

I never had a downrigger drowning incident but I do recommend changing out the steel cable for braid so it can easily be cut in an emergency. The two downriggers I recommend are the: Cannon Lake Troll: amzn.to/404xf7M Scotty Laketroller: amzn.to/3ZEM15n

[@mikejameson4545]

@@spiltmilt My mistake, it was the rod leash incident! Where you used your NRS Pilot safety knife…

[@keithl7422]

how to catch kokanee in your way?? What kind of jig or lure??

[@spiltmilt]

I have a whole video on jigging Kokanee kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZmaY5t6Z7R1jbs

[@renotimberwolf2139]

I noticed you’re not keeping the Kokanee, is that something you just keep in the spring and summer?

[@spiltmilt]

They are not great table fare during the spawn

[@peredavi]

Does an electric troll motor on my kayak scare kokanee away?

[@spiltmilt]

I don't think it does. I use to fish with a friend at Merwin in a small aluminum boat and we noticed everytime the Minnkota battery died and we had to rely on the gas motor. Our catch rate also died.

[@boba-mg5md]

Was wondering if you have caught kokanee above kettle river on Roseavelt.